The Florida High Schools With the Best Sports Programs

It’s essential that your child has a well-rounded high school career. Academics are the priority. They ensure that your graduate can have the skills necessary for a happy and successful life. However, it’s also important for your youngster to get involved in extracurricular activities, especially sports. In addition to being fun, many sports can also teach your kids essential skills, such as how to work as part of a team, how to communicate, and how to use logic to achieve a goal. If your child is interested in sports, then you can help them out by trying to find a high school that has the best programs, and we can help. Today, we’ll fill you in on the Florida high schools with the best sports programs.

Just like with other states we’ve covered, including Texas and Minnesota, we are determining the Florida high schools with the best sports programs by searching school-rating websites, including Niche.com. We also looked at individual school websites to see what programs they offer, the championships they’ve won, and what students and parents think about their high school. We think this list will be helpful for parents in Florida who want the best for their kids.

Christopher Columbus High School

First on our list of the Florida high schools with the best sports programs is Christopher Columbus High School. It’s a private Catholic school located in Miami. The school gets high marks for its academics, teachers, college prep, and clubs & activities. However, the very best review is for the sports programs. There are many sports teams to join, including options for tennis, cross country, golf, basketball, soccer, track & field, football, and more. Students at the school are encouraged to engage in at least one sport because the administration believes that the skills they’ll learn can be beneficial in many parts of life. Many of the teams are also quite good and compete in the most competitive Florida districts. As mentioned, this school also has a sterling academic record because 99% of the students who graduate go on to a four-year college. Needless to say, there are many reasons to enroll your student in Christopher Columbus High School.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School

Another high-performing school on this list is also a private, Catholic institution, and it’s St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The school-ranking website Niche.com gives this school high marks on almost every metric, from academics to diversity to college prep, and the clubs and activities. Most students who graduate from here go on to successful college careers, and many go while continuing their interest in sports. There are various sports to join here for both male and female students, including baseball, bowling, cross country, swimming, tennis, wrestling, water polo, volleyball, and more. The staff and coaches at the school are some of the best in the business, and many of the teams have won regional and state championships. Also, many St. Thomas Aquinas High School alumni have gone on to play professionally. There are NFL players Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, Michael Irving, and Bobby Hart, another others. Other professional and famous alumni include baseball players Tyler Greene and Stephen Cardullo, Olympian Santa Richards Ross, and more. It’s all quite impressive.

Jesuit High School

This private Catholic high school is considered to be the very best of its kind in the Tampa area. The website Niche gives the school “A+” scores in almost every metric, from diversity to academics to the teachers to the sports, clubs, and activities. Most of the kids that graduate go to college, and many go for athletics. Luckily, there are countless sports that kids can try out every season. A selection of them includes rugby, crew, cheerleading, football, golf, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, water polo, and more. The coaching staff at Jesuit High School is the best of the best. They care about the athletes, and in addition to teaching them life-long skills, the school also has a long history of winning. Teams at this school have won 73 championships since they joined the UIL league back in 2003. They’ve won several district and state competitions. Many of the students have gone on to play sports both in college and professionally. To get a sneak peek, check out their Hall of Fame.

Our Lady of Lourdes Academy

Our Lady of Lourdes Academy is an all-girls high school in Miami, which is considered to be one of the best of its kind in the entire state. Even better than some of the other schools on this list, 100% of the students who graduate from this school go on to college, and many get scholarships for sports. The school is also known for its academics and the quality of the teachers. There are countless sports to choose from here, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, track, tennis, swimming, golf, and more. The sports programs at the school have done quite well over the years. Many of the women have gone on to do well in sports after graduation. Many of the athletes have high rankings from ESPNU and have won countless awards. In addition to teaching the girls how to win, the coaches teach the students about teamwork, logic, sportsmanship, and more.

Cardinal Gibbons High School

No list of the Florida high schools with the best sports programs is complete without Cardinal Gibbons High School. It’s a private, Catholic school in Fort Lauderdale that is always among the top of the list of schools in the area. The academics, diversity, college prep, and clubs and activities always get high marks. When asked, 95% of students said that they thought there were plenty of high-quality sports and activities to try. They include field hockey, golf, volleyball, flag football, soccer, tennis, and more. Many of the school’s teams have also had incredible success. To prove it, just look at the numbers. There are currently over 900 student-athletes who have helped the teams win 128 state championships and 18 State Wells Fargo Cups. Plus, many of the students go on to play in college. In fact, of the class of 2021, 37 students continued to hone their craft after graduation. The school also gives special honors to students who go above and beyond with the Spirit of Sport Award and the Volunteer Service Award.

Tampa Catholic High School

Considered to be one of the best schools in the Tampa area, Tampa Catholic High School is a medium-sized private school with 730 students. Academics, diversity, college prep, and sports are all priorities at this institution. When it comes to sports, participation is very high among male and female students. In fact, 85% of students engage in at least one sport, and 88% of students said they think there is a great selection of sports and activities in which to engage. Currently, there are 37 teams in various sports categories, including football, basketball, baseball, and more. Many of the students have done quite well over the years and have gone on to graduate and attend other great schools, such as ASU, Ball State, FGGU, and more. While teaching the teams how to win, the coaches and staff also teach the kids valuable lessons about communication, working as a team, and how to plan to achieve a common goal, among other essential skills.

Ponte Vedra High School

Noted as the best public high school in St. Johns County, this Ponte Vedra school gets very high marks in important metrics, such as academics, teachers, college prep, and sports and activities. Participation in sports is considered from high to very high, and 87% of the students and teachers say there’s a good mix of engaging activities. There are countless sports that try out for at Ponte Vedra, including football, dance, girls and boys golf, boys and girls weight lifting, tennis, flag football, track & field, and more. While sports are important here, the students must also keep up with their studies. In order to be eligible to play, athletes must have a solid core course GPA. Keep in mind that students must pay a fee before they can play a sport. However, it’s well worth it. In addition to learning about the sport, the students will also learn a lot about themselves and grow as individuals.

Naples High School

Located in Naples, this is one of the Florida high schools with the best sports programs. Still, sports is only one aspect of the school. It’s a large school with over 1,700 students and a fairly high reading and math level proficiency percentage. However, students and teachers really enjoy the clubs and activities and generally give them good reviews. There are countless sports at this school for the students to try, including cross country, football, golf, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, lacrosse, tennis, track & field, and more. The staff at the school prides themselves on preparing the students for sports after high school, which is why they provide a path and plan to get them there. Many of the teams have won various championships over the years, some going all the way back to the 1970s. Some of the student-athletes have gone on to professional careers, and it’s all because of Naples High School.

Calvary Christian High School

Considered one of the best Christian high schools in the greater Tampa area, this Clearwater, FL, school gets rave reviews on a variety of metrics, including academics, college prep, and various clubs and activities. There are various sports for both genders to enjoy. For boys, there is football, baseball, tennis, golf, lacrosse, and others. The girls have many of the same sports, plus cheerleading, and more. This school has a lot to offer the student-athletes, including world-class facilities for football, baseball, tennis, and other various sports. There’s also a top-notch coaching staff that leads each team. In addition to teaching them how to win in their sport, the coaches also teach how to incorporate teamwork, logic, and analytics. These are all metrics that can also be used in life after graduation. Many of the teams do quite well in regional and state competitions, so there’s a lot to love here.

Niceville Senior High School

Niceville Senior High School in Niceville, Florida, is considered to be among the very best high schools in Okaloosa County. The academics and college prep ratings are impressive. A good portion of the students are proficient in reading and math. The sports and activities are also pretty popular. Student participation is good, and most of them agree that there are plenty of great programs to consider. Sports here include baseball, cheerleading, dance, football, softball, track, lacrosse, and wrestling and weightlifting programs for both male and female students. All of the sports are coached by some of the finest professionals in the area, and they do their best to ensure that every student reaches their highest potential. As a result, the students learn valuable lessons they can use on and off the field.

Bishop Verot Catholic High School

Another heavy hitter on the list of the Florida high schools with the best sports programs is Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Meyers. Considered one of the best schools in Lee County, this school gets rave reviews for its academics, which lead to high math and reading proficiency skills. Plus, an amazing number of students go to four-year universities. The clubs and sports are also well-loved, and there are many of which to choose from. They include golf, football, basketball, swimming sports, track & field, and more. Overall, there are 725 student-athletes and 31 varsity sports. Plus, at this time, 21 athletes have gone on to compete at the college level. The teams are made up of incredible athletes, and they’re led by some of the finest coaches on the high school level. There’s a lot that your student can love at Bishop Verot Catholic High School.

Oviedo High School

This school, located in Oviedo, is considered to be one of the best public high schools in all of Seminole County. The teachers are top-notch, and as a result, the academics and college prep are also some of the best in the state. Student participation in the sports programs could be higher. However, 88% of students and teachers agree that there are many great options. Among the many teams to join, there are bowling, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, flag football, tackle football, softball, tennis, wrestling, and more. Many of these teams do quite well and have competed in state and regional championships. The school knows that many students may want to continue their sports career into college, so they set up pathways to NCAA and NFHS eligibility. This is a great school with a lot going for it, and there is always room for new athletes.

Venice High School

Venice High School also makes its way onto this list of Florida high schools with the best sports programs. Located in Sarasota County, this school has over 2,500 students in grades 9-12. The school has good academic ratings and has plenty of sports, clubs, and activities to go around. There are many teams at this school, ranging from basketball and soccer to cheerleading, cross country, and water polo. The school employs many top-notch teachers and coaches who empower the teens to do their best and to work as a team to achieve a common goal. The program here was also voted as the best sports program on the west side. The school beat out 150 other schools to get that incredible honor.

Clearwater Central Catholic High School

This highly rated school is considered to be amongst the very best private high schools in Pinellas County. Part of the school’s charm is its academic success. A majority of the students are proficient in math and language arts. Plus, 90% of the students go on to attend a four-year college. As far as sports are concerned, participation is high, and the students and teachers love the options. Sports here include cheerleading, football, track, wrestling, soccer, volleyball, softball, and more. The coaching is among the best in the county. Many of the teams go on to impress in both county and state competitions. The school also offers summer camps to help the students hone their skills. They have camps for football, volleyball, basketball, and more. This is a great sports school for new and experienced student-athletes.

Madison County High School

Finally, on our list of the Florida high schools with the best sports programs, we have Madison County High School. The school gets good ratings for academics and diversity. However, the school’s true claim to fame is its sports and clubs. There are very high participation levels for both boys and girls in the school’s various activities. Kids can choose from typical sports, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, and swimming. There are also some more unique sports, including fishing, rifle, and powerlifting. Regardless of the sport, the coaches and staff are all top-notch. They teach the kids lessons about how to win, work as a team, and strategize. They’re skills that can be used on and off the field.

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