LI Schools Honored By Public High School Athletic Association

LONG ISLAND, NY — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) recently announced its 2019-20 Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction and School of Excellence Award winners — with Long Island schools making both lists.

The purpose of the School of Distinction and School of Excellence Awards are to unite varsity coaches in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide academic honor. This year, a total of 56 schools earned the School of Distinction Award and 140 schools earned the School of Excellence Award across the state.

On Long Island, 14 schools earned the ranking for School of Distinction while 10 schools received the School of Excellence honor.

The Long Island schools to be named Schools of Distinction include:

• Bethpage Senior High School - Bethpage
• Farmingdale High School - Farmingdale
• Friends Academy - Glen Cove
• Island Trees High School - Levittown
• Jericho High School - Jericho
• Manhasset High School - Manhasset
• Massapequa High School - Massapequa
• Paul D. Schreiber High School - Port Washington
• Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School - Plainview
• South Side High School - Rockville Centre
• Wantagh High School - Wantagh
• Wellington C. Mepham High School - Bellmore
• Wheatley School - Old Westbury
• Monroe-Woodbury High School - Woodbury

The Long Island schools to be named Schools of Excellence:

• Garden City High School - Garden City
• H Frank Carey High School - Franklin Square
• Locust Valley High School - Locust Valley
• Long Beach High School - Long Beach
• Lynbrook High School - Lynbrook
• Roslyn High School - Roslyn
• Seaford High School - Seaford
• Valley Stream North High School - Valley Stream
• W. Tresper Clarke High School - Westbury
• West Hempstead High School - West Hempstead

For 2020, there were 21 additional schools received the School of Distinction Award and 13 more received the School of Excellence Award compared to 2018-19 school year.

"We are excited once again to see the numbers of schools honored increase and it is a true testament to the kind of student-athletes we were have here in New York State," Dr. Robert Zayas NYSPHSAA Executive Director said. "We continue to be proud of this program which highlights and celebrates schools that value the importance of academics, as well as athletics. The fact that so many student-athletes thrived in the face of a pandemic this past winter is truly remarkable."

Schools can apply for School of Distinction status by having 100 percent of its varsity teams qualify for and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award during their respective sports seasons.

To earn the School of Excellence award, 75 percent of a school’s varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award.

For the 2019-20 school year the School of Distinction and School of Excellence winners were based on fall 2019 and winter 2020 Scholar-Athlete submissions because the spring 2020 program was cancelled.