Interscholastic high school sports are a large and essentially unparalleled set of athletic activities, practices, and programs. This entry provides an overview of the origins of American high school sports, as well as a perspective on their importance in both secondary education and the sport development system in the United States. It discusses the social and educational benefits associated with athletic participation for both individuals and at the school and community levels. It concludes by suggesting that the impacts of athletic participation, both positive and problematic, are shaped by the complicated and often unequal ways in which athletic participation is organized and sports programs themselves are designed and implemented.