23 Hudson Valley Schools Receive 'Rewards School' Designation

Twenty-three Hudson Valley schools were recognized Thursday by the state Education Department for high achievement and high progress. Named 'Reward Schools,' they also do not have significant gaps in student achievement.

“The teachers and administrators at these Reward schools work hard each day to raise the bar and give their students opportunities to achieve their dream,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa.

“The proof is in the results these schools have obtained and I am thrilled to celebrate their success,” she said.

To earn the designation, a school must be among the top 20 percent of schools in the state for English language arts and math performance for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years or be among the top 10 percent of schools in terms of gains in ELA and math performance in the 2016-17 school year.

The school must also have made progress over the past two school years for all groups of students on all measures for which the school is accountable. There cannot be large gaps in student performance between groups of students, for example, low-income students and those who are not considered low-income.

In addition, elementary and middle schools must show that more than 50 percent of students are making annual growth in ELA and math; and that more than 50 percent of the school's lowest achieving students are also making gains.

High schools must have graduation rates above 80 percent to be a high-achieving school and above 60 percent to be a high-progress school. The percentage of students in the school who graduate with a Regents diploma with advanced designation or a Career and Technical Endorsement (CTE) must exceed the State average.

High schools must also demonstrate that their graduation rate for students who entered the school performing below the 'proficient' level in ELA or math is above the State average.

In all, there were 155 schools in New York identified as Reward Schools.

Here is a list of the schools in the Hudson Valley that received the designation:

• Ardsley High School
• Briarcliff High School
• Bronxville Elementary School
• Clarkstown South Senior High School
• Croton-Harmon High School, Croton-on-Hudson
• Dobbs Ferry High School
• Eastchester Senior High School
• Haldane High School, Cold Spring
• Harrison High School
• Hastings High School
• Irvington High School
• Murray Avenue School, Mamaroneck
• Nanuet Senior High School
• Pelham Memorial High School
• Pleasantville High School
• Rhinebeck Senior High School
• Rebecca Turner Elementary School, Mount Vernon
• Rye Neck Senior High School
• Somers Senior High School
• Spackenkill High School
• Todd Elementary School, Briarcliff Manor
• Walter Panas High School, Cortlandt
• Yorktown High School

For a full list of schools, click here.

Each Reward School will receive a certificate of recognition from the Commissioner.

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