LATHAM — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. recently recognized the Schools of Distinction and Excellence for the 2024-25 school year.

To be recognized as a School of Distinction, a school must apply for the honor and have 100% of its varsity teams earn the Scholar-Athlete Team Award during their respective sports seasons.

Twelve Section VI schools were honored as Schools of Distinction, including Clymer, Panama, Randolph and Westfield in the OBSERVER/Post-Journal’s circulation area.

The School of Excellence designation is awarded to schools that apply and have at least 75% of their varsity teams achieve this same academic recognition.

Thirty-four Section VI schools were named Schools of Excellence, including Chautauqua Lake, Dunkirk, Fredonia, Frewsburg, Maple Grove and North Collins in the OBSERVER/Post-Journal’s circulation area.

“Congratulations to our Schools of Distinction and Excellence,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA executive director. “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.”

This year, 110 schools earned the School of Distinction Award and 221 schools earned the School of Excellence Award. The purpose of the awards is to unite athletic departments in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide academic honor.

Winning schools will receive their commemorative awards at their local athletic director workshop this fall. To be eligible to receive these prestigious awards, schools must apply following the Spring Scholar-Athlete submission each school year.

Established in the 1991-92 school year, NYSPHSAA’s Scholar-Athlete Team Award has a proud tradition of honoring academic achievement among student-athletes. The School of Distinction Award, introduced in 2002-03, and the School of Excellence Award, launched in 2016-17, further celebrate schools that exemplify a commitment to success in the classroom while balancing the demands of athletic participation. Together, these honors showcase the dedication, discipline and excellence demonstrated by students and school communities across New York state.