For the third consecutive year, Red Hook High School can count itself among the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Schools of Excellence.
Each year, the governing body of scholastic sports in the state honors schools with teams that excel not only athletically, but academically.
A school is eligible to be named a School of Excellence if 75% of its varsity teams earned the NYSPHSAA’s Scholar-Athlete team distinction this academic year. Scholar-Athlete team awards were given to any team in which 75% of the roster finished the season with a GPA of 90 or better. At Red Hook, 20 of 24 varsity teams met that mark in 2024-25.
“We stress to our kids the importance of putting in the same effort in the classroom as they do on the field,” Athletic Director Tom Cassata said. “We’re proud of the effort our student-athletes put forth. And, athletes and teams that are academically strong and mentally sharp tend to be athletically strong, too.”
In all, Red Hook students earned Scholar-Athlete distinctions, finishing their season with a GPA of 90 or better, 248 times in 2024-25.
Across the state, 221 schools made the mark for the Schools of Excellence Award and 110 earned the Schools of Distinction Award, meaning every one of their teams earned Scholar-Athlete team distinctions. The schools receive their awards in the fall.
“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.”