Babylon Junior-Senior High School has scored a remarkable achievement: it has been officially named a School of Distinction by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) for the 2024–2025 school year.

This prestigious honor is reserved for schools where every varsity athletic team earns the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team Award. Put simply, it means Babylon reached a rare academic and athletic milestone—100% of its varsity programs maintained a team GPA of 90% or higher throughout their seasons.

🏆 What It Means to Be a School of Distinction

The designation highlights a school culture that fosters discipline, teamwork, and resilience both in the classroom and on the playing field. Out of the hundreds of high schools competing statewide, only 114 schools in New York earned the distinction this year.

For Babylon, the achievement spans across 26 varsity teams, from football and soccer to cross country, tennis, basketball, lacrosse, softball, baseball, and more. Each squad not only competed at a high level athletically but also demonstrated academic consistency and dedication.

“Balancing a varsity sport and high school studies is no easy thing,” said Babylon Athletic Director Michael De Joseph. “To have all of our teams earn Scholar-Athlete status is an amazing feat, and one that demonstrates our student-athletes’ incredible dedication both on the field and in the classroom.”

📚 Scholar-Athletes Leading the Way

To qualify for the Scholar-Athlete Team Award, a varsity team’s roster must collectively average a 90% GPA or above. This sets a high bar, demanding commitment not just from individual players, but from entire squads who encourage one another to succeed academically as much as athletically.

The result? A generation of Panthers who prove that excellence in sports and academics is not only possible but thriving in Babylon.

👏 A Community Achievement

While the recognition is awarded to the high school, the success belongs to the entire Babylon community—student-athletes, teachers, coaches, parents, and school leaders who support these programs day in and day out. The award reflects a shared commitment to nurturing student success in all areas of life.

The Babylon Union Free School District continues to celebrate achievements like this across classrooms, playing fields, and community programs, showing why Babylon remains one of Long Island’s most supportive and achievement-driven school communities.

🌟 Learn More

For more information about the Babylon Union Free School District, visit the District’s website: www.babylon.k12.ny.us.

Follow along with student highlights and district-wide celebrations on social media:

• Facebook: facebook.com/babylonschooldistrict

• Instagram: instagram.com/babylonufsd

Congratulations to Babylon High School, its athletes, coaches, and community on this outstanding School of Distinction honor. Here’s to another year of Panther pride—on the field, in the classroom, and everywhere in between!