Cornwall Central High School has been named a 2025-26 School of Excellence by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, recognizing the school’s commitment to academic achievement among its student-athletes.

The award is part of the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete program, which recognizes schools whose varsity athletic teams achieve strong academic results. To earn School of Excellence status, at least 75% of a school’s varsity teams must receive NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team recognition during their respective sports seasons.

Statewide, 237 schools earned School of Excellence honors for the 2025-26 school year, an increase from 221 schools recognized during the previous school year.

“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.

The School of Distinction and School of Excellence awards are intended to encourage athletic departments to challenge every varsity team to achieve statewide academic recognition.

Applications are submitted annually following the conclusion of the spring sports season. Commemorative awards will be presented during each section’s athletic director workshop in the fall.