A new study ranking the top public high schools for athletes in the United States found three Minnesota schools to be among the nation's best.

Minnetonka ranked No. 9, Edina No. 23 and Wayzata No. 42.

Championships and college scholarships earned are not factors; however, the three ranked Minnesota schools often produce some of the state's best teams.

The study was conducted by Niche.com as part of its annual series of studies about education. Results are based on student and parent reviews of athletics (50 percent), student participation in athletics (20 percent total), the number of sports offered at the school (10 percent) and expenses per school (10 percent).

Niche.com also ranked individual states' top 100 public high schools for athletes. Lakeville North and Chanhassen round out Minnesota's top five. Hopkins, East Ridge, Orono, Mahtomedi and Andover complete the state's top 10.

JASON GONZALEZ