Best high schools for sports in Vermont

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 Vermont 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. Brattleboro Union High School

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

#24. Montpelier High School

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

#23. Middlebury Union High School

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

#22. Vergennes Union High School

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

#21. Thetford Academy

- City: Thetford Center
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#20. Milton Senior High School

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

#19. Enosburg Falls Junior/Senior High School

- City: Enosburg Falls
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-

#18. Blue Mountain Union School

- City: Wells River
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C-

#17. Otter Valley Union High School

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

#16. Lake Region Union High School

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

#15. Arlington Memorial Middle/High School

- City: Arlington
- Type: Public, Magnet
- Overall Niche grade: B-

#14. Williamstown Middle/High School

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

#13. Lyndon Institute

- City: Lyndon Center
- Type: Private, Boarding
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#12. Bellows Falls Union High School

- City: Bellows Falls
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B

#11. Hartford High School

- City: White River Junction
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-

#10. Burlington Senior High School

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

#9. Woodstock Union High School

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

#8. Colchester High School

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

#7. Harwood Union High School

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

#6. U-32 High School

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

#5. Burr & Burton Academy

- City: Manchester
- Type: Private, Boarding
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#4. South Burlington High School

- City: South Burlington
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#3. Essex High School

- City: Essex Junction
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#2. Rice Memorial High School

- City: South Burlington
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A

#1. St. Johnsbury Academy

- City: St. Johnsbury
- Type: Private, Boarding
- Overall Niche grade: A