Farmingdale High School has earned the prestigious 2025-2026 School of Distinction Award from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. (NYSPHSAA) for achieving extraordinary academic performance across its entire sports program. This statewide honor was awarded after 100 percent of the school’s Varsity Teams qualified as NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Teams during their respective athletic seasons throughout the 2025-2026 school year. The recognition highlights the dedication of local student-athletes who balance challenging course loads with high-level athletic competition.

To earn School of Distinction honors, an athletic department must unite so that every single varsity squad achieves state scholar-athlete benchmarks. Statewide participation in academic athletic initiatives reached record levels during the 2025-2026 school year, with 118 schools earning School of Distinction status, 237 schools earning School of Excellence status, and hundreds of athletic departments challenging students toward classroom success. This total represents significant growth from the 2024-2025 school year, which saw 110 Schools of Distinction and 221 Schools of Excellence recognized across New York.

"These awards recognize entire school communities that value success in the classroom as much as success in competition," said NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas.

"This recognition reflects the phenomenal effort of our student-athletes, coaches, teachers, and staff members," said Farmingdale Director of Athletics Don Herr. "The district is immensely proud that every Varsity Team at Farmingdale High School reached the highest level of academic distinction."