Niche’s 2026 rankings of the best high schools for athletes in New Jersey has been released and it mirrors a majority of the 2025 rankings. North Jersey schools still dominate, with boys-only Catholic schools holding every spot in the Top 5.
Analysts from Niche looked at key statistics using data from the U.S. Department of Education, including student and parent reviews of athletics, the number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school. New this year, Niche evaluated the percentage of seniors who go on to four-year colleges.
Delbarton School in Morristown is an all-boys, grades 7-12 Benedictine Catholic school. Aside from taking the top spot for sports for the second consecutive year, it is also the No. 1 Best Catholic High School in New Jersey and the No. 1 Best All-Boys High School in New Jersey. With an overall grade of A+, it received an A+ average in academics, teachers, clubs and activities, college prep and sports; and a B+ in diversity. Eighty-five percent of students play on interscholastic athletic teams from a choice of 17 sports. The Green Wave athletics program includes football, rugby, squash and skiing.
Bergen Catholic High School, coming in at No. 2 for the second year in a row, is also the No. 2 Best All-Boys High School in NJ, No. 5 Best Catholic High School in New Jersey, according to Niche. The grades 9-12 school in Oradell got an A+ for academics, clubs and activities, college prep and sports; an A for diversity; and an A- for teachers. The 700 Crusaders play a range of 18 sports – including crew, indoor and outdoor track, rugby, lacrosse and skiing – as part of the NJSIAA and the Big North Conference. Bergen Catholic has won over 560 championships since the school’s inception in 1955.
Seton Hall Prep in West Orange ranks 3rd for this year. Another private, all-boys (No. 3 in the state), grades 9-12 Catholic school (No. 7 in the state), it earned high marks with an overall grade of A+. The school garnered an A+ in individual rankings in academics, clubs and activities, college prep, and sports; an A for teachers; and an A- for diversity. Pirates can choose from 16 sports. Since it was founded in 1856, there have been 407 athletic championships.
Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City entered the Top 5 at No. 4. The Jesuit high school has been in the midst of the city since 1872, with its scenic football field seen from high above the surrounding apartment buildings. Every student is encouraged to join at least one co-curricular sport or activity from a choice of 18 varsity sports and 40 teams on various levels. The Niche ranking gives SPP an overall A+ grade, with A+ grades in academics, clubs and activities, college prep and sports; and an A- in teachers and diversity. It’s the No. 5 Best All-Boys High School and the No. 11 Best Catholic High School in New Jersey. The 2024-25 school year included 2 state championships, 8 county championships, and 21 overall championships across 12 varsity sports. Twenty-nine members of the Class of 2025 signed to play in college across 12 varsity sports, and 4 head coaches received Coach of the Year honors.
Ramsey’s Don Bosco Prep came in fifth this year with another overall A+ grade. Another private, Catholic (No. 8 in the state), all-boys high school (No. 4 in the state), the grade 9-12 school received an A+ for academics, clubs and activities, college prep and sports; an A for diversity; and an A- for teachers. There have 15 state championships in football alone, plus dozens of league championships, county championships, and 3 national championships over the years. This includes nine undefeated seasons, and the Ironmen being named the Star Ledger’s Team of the Year eight times. The 2003 group was named the greatest football team in New Jersey high school history. There is bowling, fencing, crew, golf, mountain biking, rugby, skiing and volleyball among its 20 sports offerings.
These are the Top 20 Best High Schools for Athletes in New Jersey for 2026, according to Niche:
- Delbarton School, Morristown
- Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell
- Seton Hall Preparatory School, West Orange
- Saint Peter’s Prep, Jersey City
- Don Bosco Preparatory High School, Ramsey
- Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank
- Haddonfield Memorial High School, Haddonfield
- Westfield High School, Westfield
- Ramapo High School, Franklin Lakes
- Northern Highlands Regional High School, Allendale
- Immaculate Heart Academy, Washington Twp.
- Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood
- Wayne Hills High School, Wayne
- Gill St. Bernard’s School, Gladstone
- Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft
- Middletown High School South, Middletown
- St. Augustine Preparatory School, Richland
- Cedar Creek High School, Egg Harbor
- Wayne Valley High School, Wayne
- West Essex High School, North Caldwell
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