Best Wisconsin high schools for athletes? According to one study, these are top 25

Wisconsin athletics have been in the national spotlight for decades.

Hailing from one of the nation’s northernmost territories, the state has produced such athletes as the Watt Brothers, NFL Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, and Olympian runner Suzy Favor Hamilton.

Legends like that and several more paved the way for today’s modern athletes, who are just now paving their own way in one of the state’s standout high schools. 

With that in mind, which high schools in Wisconsin are considered the best for athletes in 2026? 

According to a study conducted by Niche, which accounts for survey feedback from students and parents—accounting for "reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school"—and data from the U.S. Department of Education, these are the top 25.

25. Rice Lake High School

Total number of sports: 23

24. Notre Dame de la Baie Academy (Green Bay)

Total number of sports: 19

23. Slinger High School

Total number of sports: 21

22. Plymouth High School

Total number of sports: 22

21. Amherst High School

Total number of sports: 18

20. Xavier Catholic Schools (Appleton)

Total number of sports: 26

19. St. Mary's Springs Academy (Fond du Lac)

Total number of sports: 17

18. Franklin High School

Total number of sports: 22

17. Wisconsin Lutheran High School (Milwaukee)

Total number of sports: 27

16. Brookfield Central High School

Total number of sports: 23

15. Verona Area High School

Total number of sports: 27

14. Brookfield East High School

Total number of sports: 22

13. Sun Prairie East High School

Total number of sports: 23

12. Whitefish Bay High School

Total number of sports: 23

11. Middleton High School

Total number of sports: 31

10. Pewaukee High School

Total number of sports: 22

9. Bay Port High School (Green Bay)

Total number of sports: 27

8. Muskego High School

Total number of sports: 28

7. Homestead High School (Mequon)

Total number of sports: 27

6. Kimberly High School

Total number of sports: 24

5. Marquette University High School (Milwaukee)

Total number of sports: 12

4. Waunakee Community High School

Total number of sports: 29

3. Catholic Memorial High School (Waukesha)

Total number of sports: 33

2. Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (Milwaukee)

Total number of sports: 16

1. Arrowhead High School (Hartland)

Total number of sports: 28