Atlanta’s Best High Schools for Student Athletes

Atlanta might not automatically come to mind as a sports-centered city, but it has five professional teams and hosted the 1996 Olympics. Aspiring athletes abound and can grow in their sport through public and private programs, where they can hone their skills in any sport imaginable–creating a pipeline of future professional players.

Atlanta boasts an incredible selection of high schools to choose from, but these institutions stand out for providing students with both educational opportunities and the resources necessary for success as a student-athlete. From academics to athletics, these Atlanta high schools are great for aspiring athletes.

Greater Atlanta Christian School

Greater Atlanta Christian School is an exemplary leader in athletic excellence. This private school in Gwinnett County has a total of 14 sports and 12 stunning facilities. GACS stands out for its athleticism as well as the impressive academic accomplishments made by its athletes: 60 college signees over the past three years. 

Buford High School

With a proud tradition of success on and off the field, Buford High School sits at the pinnacle of academic and athletic excellence. Football may be their marquee sport–with frequent regional championship wins putting them in contention for state titles–but this public school's commitment to achievement bleeds into all areas: soccer, tennis, gymnastics, wrestling, and softball. They have been crowned champions or finalists since 2015.

Blessed Trinity Catholic High School

With the unwavering commitment and strength of its athletes, this private high school in Roswell has become a model of excellence, bringing home an impressive 43 state championship titles in various sports. In 2015 alone, Blessed Trinity proudly won the Georgia Athletic Directors Association’s Director's Cup for having the best all-around female program. There are no limits to what these dedicated students can achieve with cheerleading, football, basketball, swimming, lacrosse, soccer, and tennis. 

McEachern High School

McEachern High School is a powerhouse in the Atlanta area when it comes to football. With its esteemed alumni roster of former NFL players and prominent sports anchors, this school in Powder Springs, Georgia, has solidified itself as a producer of athletic excellence.

St. Pius X Catholic High School

St. Pius X Catholic High School is a 9-12 private school that's making waves in the athletic world. With 72 percent of students participating, their exceptional athletic program has sparked national recognition due to some impressive achievements. In 2019, 20 out of 22 teams made it into state playoffs, finishing third for the Directors Cup Championship. From football and lacrosse to golf and basketball, whatever your sport may be, there’s something at St. Pius X for everyone.

The Lovett School

This K-12 private school incorporates movement education from the beginning. The upper-level students then have access to varsity teams with more than 16 options, including basketball, tennis, and wrestling. Plus, their student body has accomplished incredible feats, such as winning more than 100 state championships, and more than 70 students have made high school All-Americans in their sport.

North Gwinnett High School

North Gwinnett High School has passionate students who are a force to be reckoned with. Not only have they brought home state titles in softball, competitive cheerleading, cross-country, and soccer, but their individual athletes have also won state championships in track and field and wrestling. Their equestrian team has also won a national high school championship.

Allatoona High School

Allatoona High School in Acworth has a powerhouse football team, excelling for the past decade. They’ve won a state championship and brought home two runner-up titles. That same energy carries through to their other athletic programs: Their volleyball, boys lacrosse, and track teams have all won state championships of their own. 

Westlake High School

Westlake High School is a powerhouse with an impressive record of both STEM excellence and sports triumph. In 2019, their girls’ basketball team took home the state champions trophy. They’ve had six football graduates score a spot on NFL rosters, including one Super Bowl winner. The girls’ track and field team is a three-time state champion, and their boys’ basketball team has also won top honors. This school has a strong reputation for success!

Marist School

Marist School is a private school that serves grades 7-12 and believes athletics are an important component of forming the whole person. Around 84 percent of students participate in at least one of the 71 interscholastic teams. In 2018, Marist won the 4A Director’s Cup for the 19th consecutive year. MaxPreps ranked its athletic program “best all-around” in the nation in 2020. The school has also made lists in Sports Illustrated.

With unwavering determination, students can push themselves to excel in their chosen fields and in their academic pursuits. Atlanta schools, both public and private, offer a diverse range of options to ensure that every student can find their perfect fit. Let this list provide a launching point for exploring the possibilities that this city has to offer. Search for new homes in Atlanta located near some of the best schools for student-athletes. Discover stunning floor plans and check out Pulte's new home communities today!