Home of the 2026 NFL Draft, top-tier college and professional teams, and some of the best high school storylines throughout history, there aren't many states that can stand up to Pennsylvania’s sports scene.Legends like Arnold Palmer, Wilt Chamberlain, Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Reggie Jackson, Tony Dorsett and countless others once called the Keystone State home. And from each of those legends to the talented athletes today, plenty of iconic high school programs set the stage for accomplishments on the field, in sports, on the track, in the pool, and beyond.More: Which U.S. schools are best for athletes?
According to one study, these are the top 25Which high schools in Pennsylvania are considered the best for athletes today? According to one 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.
Cumberland Valley High School (Mechanicsburg)Total number of sports: 2724. Marple Newtown High School (Newtown Square)Total number of sports: 2523. Father Judge High School (Philadelphia)Total number of sports: 1422.
Scranton Preparatory SchoolTotal number of sports: 2221. Bishop Guilfoyle Academy (Altoona)Total number of sports: 1920. Hickory High School (Hermitage)Total number of sports: 2519.
Bishop McDevitt High School (Harrisburg)Total number of sports: 1818. Downingtown High School West (Downingtown)Total number of sports: 2517. Central Bucks High School - West (Doylestown)Total number of sports: 2516.
Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn)Total number of sports: 2515. Radnor Senior High School (Radnor)Total number of sports: 2514. Spring-Ford Senior High School (Royersford)Total number of sports: 2513.
Lower Merion High School (Ardmore)Total number of sports: 4212. Seton LaSalle Catholic High School (Mt. Lebanon)Total number of sports: 2111.
Thomas Jefferson High School (Jefferson Hills)Total number of sports: 2110. Wyomissing Area Junior/Senior High School Total number of sports: 269. Upper Dublin High School (Fort Washington)Total number of sports: 278.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School (Ambler)Total number of sports: 147. Dallas Senior High School (Dallas)Total number of sports: 246. Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)Total number of sports: 285.
Neumann Goretti High School (Philadelphia)Total number of sports: 154. Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh)Total number of sports: 193. St.
Joseph's Preparatory School (Philadelphia)Total number of sports: 202. North Allegheny High School (Wexford)Total number of sports: 301. La Salle College High School (Wyndmoor)Total number of sports: 19Data via Niche survey statisticsThis article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: See Pennsylvania's top high schools for athletes in 2026