South Carolina’s high school athletic landscape is legendary, with football standouts like AJ Green and Jadeveon Clowney, and basketball stars like A’ja Wilson and Natasha Anderson, adding to the state’s legacy as one of the best in the country.
The reputation has not changed in 2026, as South Carolina is a haven for elite high school talent in all sports.
With that in mind, which high schools in South Carolina are considered the best for athletes today?
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. Ben Lippen School (Columbia)
Total number of sports: 20
24. South Pointe High School (Rock Hill)
Total number of sports: 21
23. Trinity Collegiate School (Darlington)
Total number of sports: 16
22. Cardinal Newman School (Columbia)
Total number of sports: 16
21. Whale Branch Early College High School (Seabrook)
Total number of sports: 16
20. Carolina Forest High School (Myrtle Beach)
Total number of sports: 16
19. Irmo High School (Columbia)
Total number of sports: 20
18. Porter-Gaud School (Charleston)
Total number of sports: 22
17. Lexington High School
Total number of sports: 22
16. Ridge View High School (Columbia)
Total number of sports: 14
15. Camden Military Academy (Camden)
Total number of sports: 13
14. Blythewood High School
Total number of sports: 13
13. Pinewood Preparatory School (Summerville)
Total number of sports: 19
12. Gilbert High School
Total number of sports: 17
11. River Bluff High School (Lexington)
Total number of sports: 22
10. Chapin High School
Total number of sports: 22
9. Greenville Senior High Academy
Total number of sports: 21
8. Hammond School (Columbia)
Total number of sports: 19
7. D.W. Daniel High School (Central)
Total number of sports: 15
6. Bishop England High School (Charleston)
Total number of sports: 23
5. James F. Byrnes High School (Spartanburg)
Total number of sports: 39
4. T.L. Hannah High School (Anderson)
Total number of sports: 22
3. A.C. Flora High School (Columbia)
Total number of sports: 21
2. Dutch Fork High School (Irmo)
Total number of sports: 22
1. Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville)
Total number of sports: 37
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina’s best high schools for athletes in 2026 revealed
