Minneapolis High School Sports Participation Jumps 8 Percent Among Student Athletes

Minneapolis Public Schools recorded 12,450 high school students in at least one sport during the 2025-26 school year, an increase of 8 percent from the prior year according to the district athletic office report released July 10.

The uptick arrives as families weigh after-school options against rising costs for private clubs and travel teams. Local coaches note that many parents now view school programs as the main route to regular exercise for teens, especially in neighborhoods where park budgets stayed flat.

Roosevelt High School in the Longfellow neighborhood added 42 new participants in track and field this spring, while Washburn High School near Lake Harriet saw its soccer roster grow by 35 students. Both schools run practices on fields maintained by Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, which charges $150 per athlete for the season.

District data also lists 1,872 students in basketball across all high schools and 1,310 in swimming, with the largest gains in girls volleyball at 214 new sign-ups. The report covers 11 comprehensive high schools and notes that 62 percent of eligible students now take part in at least one activity.

Program Costs and Access Points

Registration opened for fall sports on July 15 at the district website, with a $25 late fee after August 1. Families can also sign up in person at the athletic office on 1250 West Broadway in the Near North neighborhood.

Coaches at both Roosevelt and Washburn credit the numbers to steady bus routes that reach students from Powderhorn and East Harriet. The district kept transportation subsidies in place after a 2024 vote by the school board.

Next Steps for Families

Parents who want to check eligibility can call the athletic director at their zoned high school before the August 20 start of preseason workouts. The district plans to release a mid-season participation update in October.