Celebrating Academic and Athletic Achievement Across the Capital Region
In Albany, N.Y., the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has once again recognized the outstanding balance of academics and athletics in high school sports. For the 2024-2025 school year, several Capital Region high schools have earned the School of Distinction and School of Excellence awards by demonstrating that hard work in the classroom can go hand in hand with success on the field.
What the Awards Mean
The NYSPHSAA School of Distinction Award is presented to schools where 100% of varsity teams achieve the Scholar-Athlete Team Award. In contrast, the School of Excellence Award is reserved for schools with at least 75% of varsity teams meeting the Scholar-Athlete standard. These prestigious honors encourage school communities to emphasize academic achievement among their sports teams, ultimately preparing student-athletes for college and beyond. They serve as a clear marker of how academic rigor and sports can develop discipline, teamwork, and accountability.
Why These Honors Matter
Winning these awards brings a number of benefits:
• Recognizing the hard work of student-athletes by celebrating both academic success and sports accomplishments.
• Fostering a culture where teachers, coaches, and administrators work together in nurturing excellence.
• Inspiring younger students to follow in the footsteps of those who balance rigorous academics with competitive sports.
• Building strong community pride, as families and local residents join in celebrating these dual achievements.
Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director, remarked,
“These prestigious honors represent the culmination of a school year marked by outstanding achievement in the classroom. These accolades would not be possible without the dedication, hard work, and commitment of the student-athletes, coaches, and administrators whose efforts these awards proudly recognize.”
2024-2025 Award Breakdown
Capital Region School of Distinction Award Winners
Earning the School of Distinction Award is no small feat, as it requires that every varsity team in a school attains the Scholar-Athlete Team Award. Among the impressive list of Capital Region honorees are:
• Berne-Knox Westerlo Junior/Senior High School
• Broadalbin-Perth High School
• Fort Ann Central School
• Fort Plain Junior/Senior High School
• Hoosic Valley Senior High School
• La Salle Institute
• Mayfield Junior/Senior High School
• Mechanicville Junior/Senior High School
• Saratoga Central Catholic High School
• Schalmont High School
• Christian Brothers Academy
With 110 schools statewide earning this recognition, the Capital Region schools stand out for their commitment to excellence, making the school culture richer and setting a benchmark for future scholar-athletes.
Capital Region School of Excellence Award Winners
For schools where 75% or more of varsity teams qualify, the School of Excellence Award celebrates the broader commitment to academic and athletic balance. Some of the Capital Region schools that received this award include:
• Colonie Central High School
• Middleburgh Central School District
• Averill Park High School
• Schuylerville High School
• Niskayuna High School
• Ballston Spa Senior High School
• Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Senior High School
• Canajoharie Senior High School
• Cohoes High School
• Columbia High School
• Coxsackie-Athens High School
• Duanesburg High School
• Fonda-Fultonville Senior High School
• Galway Junior/Senior High School
• Glens Falls Senior High School
• Greenwich Junior/Senior High School
• Hadley-Luzerne High School
• Ichabod Crane Senior High School
• Lake George Junior/Senior High School
• Lansingburgh Senior High School
• Maple Hill High School
• Saratoga Springs High School
• Schuylerville High School
• Shaker High School
• Shenendehowa High School
• Tamarac Middle/High School
• Waterford-Halfmoon Junior/High School
With 221 schools recognized statewide, these awards not only validate athletic achievements but also demonstrate a pervasive commitment to academic success. The determination required to meet these standards highlights the effective collaboration between coaches, educators, and administrators in the Capital Region.
The Scholar-Athlete Team Award: The Foundation for Success
At the heart of these distinctions is the Scholar-Athlete Team Award. This accolade is given to varsity teams whose members maintain a minimum grade point average, ensuring that athletic success does not come at the expense of academic performance. By setting skillful academic benchmarks, the award motivates student-athletes to excel both during practice and in the classroom.
How Schools Qualify for these Awards
To earn these coveted recognitions, schools must submit applications after their spring sports seasons. The process includes these steps:
- Teams must meet the required academic standards during their sports season.
- Schools compile data that confirms 100% of varsity teams must achieve for the School of Distinction award or at least 75% for the School of Excellence.
- The NYSPHSAA rigorously reviews the applications and announces the winners before the new school year begins.
This robust process ensures that only schools with true-wide-spread commitment to excellence receive these honors, reinforcing that education and athletics work best when they inspire and support each other.
Impact on Student-Athletes and the Community
Fostering Excellence in Academics and Athletics
The awards serve as a reminder to student-athletes that excellence in sports must be matched by academic achievements. These recognitions empower students to manage their time wisely and stress the importance of setting personal goals. The disciplined approach developed through balancing practice with studies is invaluable not only in high school but also in preparing for the responsibilities of college and future careers.
Building Community Spirit
Accomplishments like these reverberate throughout the entire school community. When a school is honored with a School of Distinction or School of Excellence award, it encourages collaboration among students, teachers, and local residents. This unity instills pride among parents and motivates younger students to embrace the opportunities that interscholastic sports offer.
An athletic director from one of the honored schools noted during a community celebration, “This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our students and the support of our entire school community. It’s a shining example of what can be achieved when everyone commits to high standards.”
Capital Region: A Hub of Excellence
Capital Region high schools have long embraced the mission of developing scholar-athletes. The consistent inclusion of local schools among award winners underscores the region’s dedication to nurturing talent both on and off the field. These schools set the stage for a future where academic rigor and athletic drive work together to shape well-rounded, determined individuals.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action
As the 2024-2025 school year unfolds, the achievements of these Capital Region schools serve as both a benchmark and a challenge for other institutions. They demonstrate that when communities invest in education and athletics alike, students thrive. The continuing success of these programs provides a model for school districts everywhere. Parents, educators, and community leaders are encouraged to leverage this example by reinforcing the importance of balanced development in their local schools.
Join the conversation: How can your community further support the balancing act of academics and athletics? Share your ideas and celebrate the achievements of our future leaders.
