Ward Melville HS Athletic Program Named NYS School Of Distinction

SETAUKET, NY — Ward Melville High School was named a New York State School of Distinction for its athletics program by NYS Public High School Athletic Association Inc., the NYSPHSAA announced in a news release.

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, according to the NYSPHSAA. This year, 56 schools earned the School of Distinction Award and 140 schools earned the School of Excellence Award.

An additional 21 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 have here in New York State," NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas wrote in a news release. "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.

Ward Melville High School features 22 sports teams, according to the 2019-20 School of Distinction list.

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 canceled.