A pair of Charlotte high schools are considered the best for NC athletes. Here’s why

Chyna Blackmon
·2 min read

There are dozens of high school sports teams across North Carolina, but two Charlotte schools were among the best for athletes in the state.

Of the 774 schools ranked by the website Niche, Charlotte Catholic High School was the second-best in the state.

“Charlotte Catholic is a private school and sets itself as basically a college prep type school. Its academics have been very high as well as its commitment to arts and athletics,” a Niche review read.

Niche compiled a list of the schools with the best athletic programs based on student and parent reviews of athletics, the number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school.

Myers Park High School ranked 16th on the list. Several others outside of Charlotte were also named among the top 20.

Both schools hold dozens of North Carolina High School Athletic Association state titles in multiple sports. Myers Park won its first NCHSAA state basketball title this year, and the Charlotte Catholic Cougars claimed the Southwestern 4A Conference championship.

A few former Charlotte Catholic and Myers Park athletes have also gone on to play professional sports. Elijah Hood, a former football star at Charlotte Catholic and UNC-Chapel Hill, played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

North Carolina’s Elijah Hood (34) races 36 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter against Georgia Tech on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Hood rushed for 168 yards on 12 carries for three touchdowns in the Tar Heels’ victory.
North Carolina’s Elijah Hood (34) races 36 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter against Georgia Tech on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Hood rushed for 168 yards on 12 carries for three touchdowns in the Tar Heels’ victory.

Drake Maye, who starred at Myers Park before heading to UNC, is a top quarterback prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft.

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up for the Tar Heels’ spring football game on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up for the Tar Heels’ spring football game on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Here’s a list of the other schools that made the list of best high schools for athletes in the state:

  1. Cardinal Gibbons High School (Raleigh)

  2. Charlotte Catholic High School (Charlotte)

  3. Weddington High School (Matthews)

  4. Wake Forest High School (Wake Forest)

  5. Marvin Ridge High School (Waxhaw)

  6. Green Hope High School (Cary)

  7. Middle Creek High School (Apex)

  8. Mount Airy High School (Mount Airy)

  9. A.C. Reynolds High School (Asheville)

  10. Cuthbertson High School (Waxhaw)

  11. South Point High School (Belmont)

  12. Leesville Road High School (Raleigh)

  13. Northern Guilford High School (Greensboro)

  14. Lincoln Charter School (Lincolnton)

  15. Asheville High School (Asheville)

  16. Myers Park High School (Charlotte)

  17. North Davidson High School (Lexington)

  18. Mount Tabor High School (Winston-Salem)

  19. Hibriten High School (Lenoir)

  20. West Forsyth High School (Clemmons)