Three local high schools have been recognized by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for their commitment to academic achievement during the 2025-26 school year.

New York State Public High School Athletic Association named Pine Bush Senior High School and Valley Central High School Schools of Excellence, while Wallkill Senior High School earned School of Distinction honors.

The awards recognize schools whose varsity athletic teams have demonstrated strong academic achievement through the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete program.

Schools earn the School of Distinction Award when 100% of their varsity teams receive NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team recognition during their respective seasons. The School of Excellence Award is presented to schools in which at least 75% of varsity teams achieve Scholar-Athlete Team status.

Statewide, 118 schools earned School of Distinction honors and 237 received School of Excellence recognition for 2025-26. That represents an increase from 110 Schools of Distinction and 221 Schools of Excellence in 2024-25.

“These awards recognize entire school communities that value success in the classroom as much as success in competition,” NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas said in a news release.
Applications are submitted annually by member schools following the spring sports season. Commemorative awards are presented during each section’s athletic director workshop in the fall.