Texas High Schools Known for Athletic Excellence

A great high school offers more than just excellent teachers and well-structured lessons–it provides a variety of clubs, activities, and sports to enrich the student experience. Sports, in particular, can have a profound impact on a young person’s development. Beyond being fun, they build confidence through opportunities to succeed and win. More importantly, sports teach teamwork, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills that students carry into adulthood. Previously, we have highlighted the top sports programs in California and Tennessee. Today, we’re focusing on Texas high schools with outstanding sports programs.

To determine the best high school sports programs in the state, we researched multiple different sources. We started with the school-rating website called Niche. From there, we read more into each school’s athletics programs to see what they offer and how well the students have done to bring their teams and themselves to victory. There are many schools in Texas that have great sports programs, especially at the college level. However, the high schools here are the best of the best.

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

First on our list of the Texas high schools with the best sports programs is Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, which is considered to be one of the go-to places for athletes. Plus, the school gets high marks for being one of the best Catholic high schools in the state. The website Niche.com gives the school great rankings in other categories, including academics, diversity, college prep, and of course, sports. Participation in sports is very high amongst the students, and 100% of parents and kids agree that there are great activities in which to get involved. Sports at the school include golf, swimming and diving, hockey, water polo, football, and more. The school has also won many awards for its school programs, including being awarded the Strength of America Award by the National Strength and Conditioning Association every year since 2013. There’s a lot to love about this school and a lot of passion from the students, and your youngster could join them.

Aledo High School

Aledo High School is a public school that is ranked as one of the very best in Parker County. This Aledo, TX, school gets great marks for college prep, teachers, and sports programs. Participation amongst the boy and girl students is very high, and most parents like what they see from the school. Sports here include baseball, basketball, wrestling for boys and girls, track, soccer, golf, football, and others. Many of the teams have also had amazing success. Recently, the varsity tennis, football, and cross country teams have won awards and that’s just in the last few months. In addition to the will to win, the administration at Aleda High School wants the students to learn from each other and learn the skills that can help them in their sport and later on in their professional lives. It’s a great, well-rounded program.

St. Agnes Academy

St. Agnes Academy is an all-girls private, Catholic high school in Houston, TX. This school receives great reviews in a variety of metrics, including academics, teachers, diversity, college prep, and sports and activities. When asked, 95% of the students and teachers said that they think there are plenty of high-quality sports and activities on campus. The high school has a huge variety of teams to join, including cross country, field hockey, volleyball, water polo, tennis, lacrosse, golf, and more. Many of the teams have won or ranked high in championships. Especially the cross country, golf, softball, and track and field teams. The teams have their success in part due to the great coaches and staff that call the school home. They’re the reason that many of the athletes go on to college and professional careers after they graduate. Overall, this is a great school with great morals.

Antonian College Preparatory High School

No list of the Texas high schools with the best sports programs would be complete without this Catholic high school in San Antonio. Students and parents here enjoy the diversity, academics, and sports, clubs, and activities. Both groups are also impressed with the offerings available at this school. Some of the many sports students can engage in include baseball, lacrosse, soccer, wrestling, football, volleyball, and more. There are also many co-ed sports that are rather unique, such as archery, riflery, cricket, canoe paddling, bass fishing, and more. Many of the teams have done quite well too. With the help of a great staff and coaches, the tennis team won the squad championship, the softball team was champions, and the basketball team has many accolades, among other great school accomplishments. Many of the athletes go on to college or professional careers.

Midlothian Heritage High School

This highly-rated public high school in Midlothian, Texas, has almost 1,500 students, many of which are involved in the very popular sports programs. In addition to the sports, the school is notable for many other aspects, including being ranked as one of the best schools in Texas for athletes, one of the best overall high schools in Texas, and one of the best schools for college prep in the state. As far as sports, there are many options. The school offers baseball, football, soccer, drill team, volleyball, cross country, powerlifting, swimming, and more. This institution and the other schools in the district all have high-quality facilities for the teams to train and compete. Many of the teams also perform quite well, ranking high in many championships across the state. Check out their website if you want to learn more.

Katy High School

Located in Fort Bend County, this public school in Katy, Texas gets high marks in various metrics. The academics, diversity, teaching, college prep, administration, and activities all get well-deserved praise. Plus, it’s one of the Texas high schools with the best sports programs. Participation, especially for male students, is very high. Also, most students and parents agree that there are enough clubs and sports for everyone to get involved. The kids have many options for sports, including basketball, baseball, cheer, soccer, tennis, and more. Plus, they have a great aquatics program that may interest your kids. The schools in the district offer many great facilities, including stadiums and courts, that allow the students to perform at their highest potential. The staff and coaches are also top-notch. It’s no surprise that Katy High School is one of the best in the area.

Highland Park High School

The school scoring website Niche gives Highland Park High School an “A+” rating. They also consider it to be one of the best schools in all of Dallas County. In addition to the sports programs, the school is also hailed for its academics, teachers, college, prep, administration, and more. One of its claims to fame is that 96% of the students are proficient in reading, which is very impressive compared to the nation. As far as sports, there are many to choose from at this school and the other schools in the district, including tennis, football, track, baseball, basketball, and more. The school also has incredible facilities. They include tennis courts, baseball courts, baseball diamonds, football field, and more. The coaching staff is also top-notch, and so many of the teams do quite well. The school also has pride in its academics, so the student-athletes must also do well in class. Good grades are often required in order to compete.

Westlake High School

Niche also gives high marks to Westlake High School. In addition to being one of the Texas high schools with the best sports programs, Westlake also gets “A+” scores for academics, teachers, college prep, and more. In fact, this school is rated as one of the best public schools in the entire state. Participation in the sports programs, especially for the male students, is quite high, and there’s a lot of excitement around the programs. There are many different sports to choose from, including football, swimming activities, tennis, track, soccer, softball, cheer, water polo, wrestling, and more. The school also has some of the best coaches in the state. That is why many of the teams have great, winning records. Just this year, the boy’s water polo team advanced to the regional semifinals, and the tennis team won the competition in their area. There’s a lot to be excited about at Westlake.

Byron P. Steele II High School

This school in Cibolo, Texas, is considered by many to be the best public high school in all of Guadalupe County. Reviews rave about the teachers, clubs and activities, the diversity, administration, and of course, the sports programs. Participation is high at this school, particularly for the boys, and 92% of students and parents agree that there are more than enough sports and activities in which to get involved. Some of the sports include basketball, golf, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, and wrestling. The coaches and staff at Byron P. Steele II High School help the students reach their highest potential. In addition to winning championships, they also encourage the students to do well in school. As a result, the students graduate as well-rounded individuals.

Vandegrift High School

Vandegrift High School is among the best high schools in the Austin area. There are over 2,500 students at the school and many of them are invested in the school’s many sports programs. The school also gets high marks in a number of other metrics, including the talent of the teachers, diversity, college prep, and administration. When it comes to sports, the students have many choices, including baseball, soccer, swim & dive, volleyball, tennis, track, and more. Many of the teams do quite well and have won championships within their league. However, it’s more than winning games at Vandegrift High School. The staff also requires that the athletes perform well in school. That way, they can graduate with the skills necessary to make it after high school regardless of whether they go into sports or not.

Second Baptist School – Woodway

In addition to being ranked as one of the best Christian institutions in the Houston area, Second Baptist is also among the Texas high schools with the best sports programs. The website Niche.com gives the sports programs at Second Baptist an “A” score, and participation in these activities is very high for both boys and girls. The idea of the school is to participate in sports, glorify God, and grow as people complete. Sports here include football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, swimming, soccer, and more. Many of the teams here have gone on to win national championships, state championships, and district championships. While they compete, the staff also encourages the students to learn how to use teamwork, logic, and strategy to win. These are skills that are helpful in the sport and in their professional lives once they graduate. 

Thurgood Marshall High School

This school, which is located in Missouri City, Texas, is a medium-sized school with just over 1,500 students and some great sports programs. The students there think of themselves as a family, and they know that no family is perfect. Still, they support one another so they can reach a common goal. Sports at Thurgood Marshall High School include volleyball, tennis, cross country, basketball, soccer, swimming, track, softball, and many others. The teams have great coaches who teach the students skills for the sport but also skills for everyday life, including teamwork, communication, and more. This is so they can be prepared for life after high school. Many of the teams have done well in championships and regional conferences and the students really care about what they do.

Prosper High School

Prosper High School is often in the conversation for one of the best high schools in the country. The school has great teachers and programs and many of the students are proficient in math and language arts. The sports programs are also very good at Prosper. In fact, 88% of the students and teachers believe that there are plenty of great sports and organizations for them. There are countless sports to choose from, including soccer, tennis, volleyball, football, cross country, water polo, wrestling, and more. The school and administrators provide everything the student-athletes need to do their best work, including providing top-notch facilities. It’s part of the reason why many of the teams have done quite well in regional and national sporting events. The teachers also encourage the athletes to do well in class. As a result, the students are smart and strong.

Calallen High School

This school, located in Corpus Christi, is often mentioned as one of the best schools in the entire area. The school gets special props for its top-notch teachers and the diversity inside the classrooms. There are many clubs and sports available, and participation is very high. That’s especially true among the male students. The school has a great sports program that includes football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and more. All of the coaches and the administration are top-notch. They expect a lot out of the student-athletes, but they teach them great lessons along the way. Really, every school within the Calallen Independent School District is known for its sports programs. Many of the schools share resources as well. Overall, this school has a lot to offer and their clubs and activities are top-notch.

North Shore Senior High School

Our final entry on this list of the Texas high schools with the best sports programs is North Shore Senior High School. There’s a lot to love at this school, from the academics to the level of diversity. However, the sports, clubs, and activities get the best reviews. In fact, when asked, 87% of the students said they liked the extracurricular activities at North Shore. The school offers all of the traditional sports options, from football to basketball to soccer, and more, and the athletes all have a blast. In addition to teaching the kids how to win, the coaches and staff teach the students important lessons about teamwork and communication and working together for a common goal. The idea is that, once they graduate, they can go to college or out into the real world as smart and savvy adults.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©AndreyPopov/ via Getty Images.