Clarence High School Receives NYSPHSAA School of Distinction Honor for Third Consecutive Year

For the third year in a row, Clarence High School was named a School of Distinction by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. for the success of student-athletes in their academics.

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, reflecting the average GPA of the top 75 percent of the roster was greater than or equal to 90.00.

Jason Lehmbeck, Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Clarence Central School District, said the achievement is one made through the hard work of student-athletes and coaches, and reflects the strong values of the program.

“Of all of our achievements from year to year, this is the one that we are most proud of,” Lehmbeck said. 

The academic success of the District’s 35 athletic teams is in addition to the success that was found during play. Clarence teams and individual athletes won seven Section VI titles during the 2024-25 school year. 

This year, 110 schools in New York earned the School of Distinction Award. An additional 221 schools earned the School of Excellence Award, which recognizes schools which have 75 percent of their varsity teams achieve this same academic recognition.

 “These prestigious honors represent the culmination of a school year marked by outstanding achievement in the classroom,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “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.” 

The District will receive a commemorative award during an athletic director workshop this fall. 

Learn more about the athletics programs at the Clarence Central School District by visiting https://www.clarenceschools.org/athletics.