La Salle Academy’s lacrosse team is well-known for its seven consecutive state championships, but they aren’t the only reason this private school is sought-after by those looking for excellent athletic programs. The men’s cross-country team has taken home three consecutive New England Championships, and the women’s team has won eight state titles of their own.
The girls’ gymnastics team joins the lacrosse and cross-country teams with ten consecutive wins. Juliet Vongphoumy, the first woman in history to win the RIIL Singles Golf Championship, attended in the past, as did a number of other notable names in sports. Former Boston Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman and three-time Stanley Cup winner Lou Lamoriello are among them, too.
Central Catholic High School
Central Catholic initially opened as an all-boys school but became co-educational in the 1980s. Cross country is the main name of the game at the school, where the team’s clenched 11 state titles since 2003. Five of those came consecutively between 2012 and 2016. The girls’ volleyball team at Central has also won an impressive number of titles, six since 1998 alone.
And following behind the talented athletes from their cross country and volleyball team is their football team, which has earned four of its own state championships since the 1950s. Olympic silver and bronze medalist, Galen Rupp, graduated from the school, along with Detroit Lions quarterback Joey Harrington, and NFL linebacker Brennan Scarlett.
St. Joseph’s Prep
Commonly referred to as just, “The Prep,” this private, all-boys Catholic school was founded in 1851. It’s home to the Hawks, who wear gray and crimson to destroy their opponents – particularly, their crew team. The Hawks crew team has won the Stotesbury Cup in a national competition twelve times since 1955.
Their most recent victory came just last year. They’ve also won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. The football team is also talented and has a record of winning back-to-back state championships and 15 titles. Notable former Hawks include world record holder and Olympic gold medalist in rowing, Cipollone, and Miami Hurricanes quarterback Frank Costa, among many others.
Bishop England High School
Bishop England is the largest private high school in South Carolina, and the impressive volleyball team is what the school is best known for. They’ve won every state title since 2000 and have earned 27 since their inception. The 17 consecutive titles made them the new national record holders, a record that has yet to be broken.
USA Today called Bishop England one of the top 10 high school athletic programs in the country, noting that they “carry an unmatched tradition of dominance,” in South Carolina. Houston Astros player Drew Meyer and former New York Nicks player/the varsity coach at Bishop England for 20 years, Tom Lavelle, both graduated from the school themselves.
Washington High School
The Washington Warriors are situated in South Dakota and offer some non-traditional seasons for girls’ sports, they’ve been transferred over to the Sioux Interstate Conference instead. The school’s football team has won 40 state championships for an 11-man game, which makes them the nation’s record-holders among high schools. The team remained undefeated for four consecutive seasons, from 2009 to 2012.
There hasn’t been a single decade since their inception in 1899 that the Warriors football team hasn’t earned at least one title. Today, the Warriors are known as the best high school team in the state. Philadelphia Eagles linebacker, Nathan Gerry, and former Green Bay Packers player, JaRon Harris, are among their most famous pro sports players.