Seventy-seven Long Island high schools have been named 2024-25 Schools of Distinction or Excellence by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association.

The School of Distinction status requires that 100% of a school’s varsity teams receive the association’s Scholar-Athlete Team Award, while School of Excellence status requires that at least 75% of a school’s varsity teams receive the award, according to the association. To earn the Scholar-Athlete award, 75% of a team’s players must have a grade-point average equal to or greater than 90%.

This year, 331 schools statewide earned one of the designations. The awards’ purpose is to “unite athletic departments in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide academic honor,” the association said.

Long Island’s high schools named Schools of Distinction: Babylon; Bethpage; Eastport-South Manor; Elwood; Farmingdale; Great Neck South; Greenport; Harborfields in Greenlawn; Herricks in New Hyde Park; Island Trees in Levittown; Jericho; Lynbrook; Manhasset; Massapequa; Miller Place; North Shore in Glen Head; Northport; Oyster Bay; Paul D. Schreiber in Port Washington; Pierson in Sag Harbor, Plainview-Old Bethpage; Rocky Point; Roslyn; Sachem East in Farmingville; Sayville; Shelter Island; Shoreham-Wading River; South Side in Rockville Centre; Southold; Syosset; Walt Whitman in Huntington Station; Wantagh; Ward Melville in East Setauket; Westhampton Beach and The Wheatley School in Old Westbury.

Long Island’s high schools named Schools of Excellence: Baldwin; Bay Shore; Bayport-Blue Point; Carle Place; Center Moriches; Centereach; Commack; Comsewogue in Port Jefferson Station; Deer Park; Earl L. Vandermeulen in Port Jefferson; East Hampton; East Rockaway; Floral Park; Freeport; Garden City; H. Frank Carey in Franklin Square; Half Hollow Hills East in Dix Hills; Half Hollow Hills West in Dix Hills; Hampton Bays; Hauppauge; Hicksville; Huntington; Islip; John F. Kennedy in Bellmore; Kings Park; Long Beach; Malverne; Mattituck; Mount Sinai; Newfield in Selden; North Babylon; Patchogue-Medford; Plainedge in Massapequa; Oceanside; Riverhead; Riverhead Charter School; Sachem North in Lake Ronkonkoma; Seaford; Southampton; W. Tresper Clarke in Westbury; West Babylon and West Hempstead.

“To have all of our teams earn Scholar-Athlete status . . . demonstrates our student-athletes’ incredible dedication both on the field and in the classroom,” Michael De Joseph, Babylon’s athletic director, said in a statement.

BALDWIN

New principal

Jeanette Rottkamp has been appointed principal of Brookside Elementary School in the Baldwin school district. She replaced Anne Marie Squicciarini, who is now the district’s director of curriculum.

Rottkamp was previously assistant principal of the district’s Plaza Elementary School. Before that, she was an instructional coach at M.S. 358 The Magnet School for S.T.E.A.M. Exploration and Experiential Learning in Queens.

“I am eager to establish connections, build relationships and work alongside parents, students and staff,” Rottkamp said in a statement.

GREAT NECK

New principal

Thomas DePaola has been named principal of Great Neck South High School. He replaced Adam Hopkins, who held the position on an interim basis.

DePaola had been the school’s acting assistant principal since August 2024. He also spent 12 years as principal of Carle Place Middle and High School.

“I am grateful for the warm welcome I have received . . . and I look forward to a school year filled with student-centered activities,” DePaola said.

VALLEY STREAM

New principal

Jasmine Shepherd has been named principal of Howell Road Elementary School in the Valley Stream 13 School District. She replaced Frank Huplosky, who is now principal of the district’s Wheeler Avenue Elementary School.

Shepherd had been an assistant principal at Rhodes Academy Elementary School in Hempstead. She has also been a summer school principal for Nassau BOCES and an assistant principal at Challenge Preparatory Charter School in Queens.

“My vision for this school year is to continue nurturing a community where every child feels safe, included and empowered to learn and grow,” Shepherd said.

BAY SHORE

New principal

Duncan MacDougal has been named principal of Bay Shore Middle School. He replaced Lisette Lauren Lors, who is now director of social studies for the school district in East Ramapo, New York.

MacDougal was previously the middle school’s assistant principal and before that was an assistant principal at Mary G. Clarkson, Fifth Avenue and South Country elementary schools — all in the Bay Shore School District.

“I am particularly excited about fostering a schoolwide culture of strong literacy,” MacDougal said in a statement.

DIX HILLS

New superintendent

John O’Farrell is the new superintendent of the Half Hollow Hills Central School District. He replaced Brian Conboy, who held the position on an interim basis.

O’Farrell was previously the district’s deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent for secondary education. He began his career as a science teacher in the district’s West Hollow Middle School in 2000.

“In this new role, I’m most looking forward to listening, learning and working side-by-side with our staff, families and community to build on our strengths and keep our focus on helping every student reach their fullest potential,” O’Farrell said.

SOUTHAMPTON

New principal

Melissa Danowski has been appointed principal of Southampton Elementary School. She replaced Nicole Fernandez, who is now principal of Clayton Huey Elementary School in Center Moriches.

Danowski was previously assistant principal of New Lane Memorial Elementary School in Selden. She has also been a school building and district leader intern in North Bellmore.

“My goal is to build on the strong foundation already in place by fostering a culture of joyful learning, academic excellence and meaningful relationships,” she said in a statement.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.