A new breed of high schools focusing on sports gives athletic teenagers the freedom to prioritize physical preparation and practice while still pursuing their academic goals.
These schools vary significantly, with some providing higher-quality academics than others. They consist of day schools emphasizing sports, boarding schools incorporating training into the daily schedule, hybrid schools combining physical and digital education, and online-only educational institutions.
Below are some of the best private high school sports programs you may want to learn about before entering high school.
Best Private High School Sports Programs: What To Look For
Although many different programs make a high school great, athletics plays a considerable role in developing high school students and how they mature into young adults.
DME Academy
DME Academy is a multi-sport training and educational facility created for student-athletes who want to realize their full potential, capitalize on their strengths, and accomplish their objectives. Brothers Mike and Dan Panaggio founded the school in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The school provides a wide range of programs, from its co-ed boarding school for students in grades six through twelve and post-graduate courses to year-round camps, competitions, team outings, and collegiate and professional training.
DME Academy is a family-oriented organization that caters to the needs of each student-athlete in a supportive and individualized environment.
DME Academy considers its team of coaches, trainers, and educators its most valuable asset. But they also take pride in their professional-caliber sports facilities, top-of-the-line gear, training systems, and technologies.
Each student-athlete of DME receives instruction and developmental training to enable them to perform to the best of their abilities on and off the field, court, or ice, as well as in the classroom.
SPIRE
SPIRE's mission is to help student-athletes reach their full potential. The school combines professional development, education, and competition with various sports, academic fields, and potential career paths. Sports serve as the school's cornerstone, but it also offers a wide range of specialty training for different career options.
SPIRE's diverse curriculum spans everything from drone racing to track and field to swimming, esports, and basketball. In addition to participating in residential academy semester programs, SPIRE student-athletes can attend challenging weekend and weekly training camps.
The school is committed to developing its students and putting them in the best possible position to succeed in school, work, and life. The "SPIRE Way" emphasizes the growth of solid bodies, strong minds, and strong characters with equal emphasis.
SPIRE also has a distinctive campus. It has two full-sized indoor, multi-use fields, an outdoor stadium, six basketball or twelve volleyball courts, a state-of-the-art performance center, a recreational pool and weightlifting facility, and four therapy pools. There is also a 400-meter outdoor track with separate areas for field events and stadium seating.
IMG Academy
IMG Academy is considered by many as the world's most prestigious sports, performance, and educational institution. It was founded in 1978 as a ground-breaking concept known as the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. It has since expanded to become a worldwide phenomenon.
IMG continues to set the bar for young student-athletes’ academic, athletic, and personal development with its renowned boarding school and sports camps. Every year, hundreds of teams, groups, and events come to its 600-acre campus in Bradenton, Florida, for training and competition.
The school uses modern sports science to give its students an advantage over the competition. IMG's goal is to help the most devoted and passionate individuals realize their full potential. IMG continues to expand its campus and improve its developmental approach to education.
Burke Mountain Academy
Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) offers an opportunity for ski racers with a passion for learning to develop their academic and athletic potential. BMA adheres to a philosophy that values hard work above all else and believes that taking risks and learning from failure will best prepare students for life after school.
BMA's mission is to create an exceptional learning environment for student-athletes. By providing the necessary academic support, the school allows student-athletes to learn while pursuing their passion for skiing.
BMA allows students to be the best they can be and to carry their dedication to ski racing into the classroom. BMA was established when young ski racers asked their coach to provide them an opportunity to pursue their love for skiing while having access to the necessary academic assistance.
St. John Bosco High School
St. John Bosco’s sports program is based on the Salesian virtues of selflessness, discipline, and commitment. The school's athletic program allows students to hone their athletic skills while meeting high academic standards, leadership, and sportsmanship.
The Trinity League, considered California’s most competitive league, is where St. John Bosco High School plays.
Young men who want to take their athletic abilities to the highest level should consider attending St. John Bosco. The school offers 13 CIF-sponsored sports with 40 different teams, three club sports, and a nationally renowned esports program. Almost 80% of its student body participates in one or more sports, and 8 of the 13 sports that the CIF sponsors are non-cut, allowing all students to play.
St. John Bosco has three national titles and ten state championships, most recently becoming 2022 State and National Champions in football. St. John Bosco High School offers its students the opportunity to train and compete in facilities that rival most college campuses. You can find the following on the school's sprawling 36-acre campus:
● Athletic Training Room for Injuries and Rehabilitation
● Baseball Practice Field
● Baseball Stadium
● Full-Sized Wrestling Arena
● Gymnasium
● Locker Room
● Panish Family Stadium
● Strength Training Facility
● Swimming Pool
● Two Full-Sized Practice Football Fields
● Two Full-Sized Soccer Fields
The Final Say: Best Private High School Sports Programs
To be honest, there are hundreds of great private high school sports programs around the nation that are catered to the specific needs of athletics and academics. However, now you have a better idea of some of your options while you look for a high school that is best for the sports program you’re interested in.
To learn more about St. John Bosco, whether it be our athletics, academics, or clubs, make sure to reach out to us today to schedule a tour. We can’t wait to meet you!