Best high schools for sports in North Dakota

More than 7.6 million high school students played sports across the U.S. during the 2021-22 academic year, according to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations. Those athletes participated in a slew of sports: from football—the most popular sport for high school boys with 1 million players nationwide—to track and field, which is the most popular sport amongst high school girls in the U.S. with more than 488,000 athletes.

The dynamic landscape of high school sports has created competition not only between athletes but the institutions they represent. With more than 23,500 public and private secondary and high schools across the country, determining the best options for athletes is an arduous process.

High schools across the country are vying to be crowned the best institution for athletes in America and not only has the battle become personal but regional as well. States like California and Florida, which have high-profile high-school athletic programs, also want bragging rights.

Young athletes will continue to thrive as sports return to pre-pandemic participation levels and high schools put in the work to be considered one of the best institutions in America for sports.

Stacker compiled a list of the best high schools for sports in North Dakota using data from Niche. These rankings factor in parent and student surveys on sports, total high school enrollment, K-12 sports championships, number of sports, and athletic participation rates.

#25. West Fargo Sheyenne High School

- City: West Fargo
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#24. Central Cass High School

- City: Casselton
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-

#23. Velva High School

- City: Velva
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#22. Bishop Ryan Catholic School

- City: Minot
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#21. Park River High School

- City: Park River
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#20. Kindred High School

- City: Kindred
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#19. Grafton High School

- City: Grafton
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B

#18. Ellendale High School

- City: Ellendale
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-

#17. St. Mary's Central High School

- City: Bismarck
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#16. Hazen High School

- City: Hazen
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#15. North High School

- City: Fargo
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#14. Trinity Junior High & High School

- City: Dickinson
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#13. Rugby High School

- City: Rugby
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#12. Beulah High School

- City: Beulah
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C+

#11. Oak Grove Lutheran School

- City: Fargo
- Type: Private, Lutheran
- Overall Niche grade: A

#10. Red River High School

- City: Grand Forks
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#9. Shiloh Christian School

- City: Bismarck
- Type: Private, Christian (General)
- Overall Niche grade: B-

#8. Hillsboro High School

- City: Hillsboro
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B

#7. South High School

- City: Fargo
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#6. Shanley High School & Sullivan Middle School

- City: Fargo
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#5. Legacy High School

- City: Bismarck
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B

#4. West Fargo High School

- City: West Fargo
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B

#3. Fargo Davies High School

- City: Fargo
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#2. Bismarck High School

- City: Bismarck
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B

#1. Century High School

- City: Bismarck
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-