MCS Receives School of Excellence Award

MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh Central School has been honored with the prestigious New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA) School of Excellence Award for the 2023-24 school year. This recognition is awarded to schools where at least 75 percent of varsity teams qualify for the Scholar Athlete Team Award. MCS surpassed this benchmark.

“The efforts made by student-athletes in the classroom are paramount to their success in the athletic arena, and beyond their high school days,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. 

Athletics Director Gregg Johns is proud of the achievements of the school community. 

“This is a fantastic honor and a testament of the hard work that MCS puts in to prioritize academics and athletics,” Johns said. “In order to receive the “School of Excellence” award, a school needs to have 75% of its varsity teams earn the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete team award. For the 2023-2024 school year, MCS had 12 out of 14 varsity teams achieve this.”

Now, Mr. Johns has a new achievement in mind.

“In order to earn a “School of Distinction,” there needs to be 100% of varsity teams earning NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete status.  This is a lofty goal, but why not?”

MCS’s philosophy of educating the whole child notes that when students participate in athletic endeavors they build skills of commitment, sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork. As stated in the school’s athletic handbook, many of the character traits required to be a successful participant in sports are those that will promote a successful life after high school.

During the upcoming school year, MCS plans to provide students with the opportunity to participate in wide variety of athletic programs including:

Girls Volleyball (modified, junior varsity, varsity)

Golf (varsity)

Boys Soccer (modified, junior varsity, varsity)

Girls Soccer (modified, varsity)

Boys Basketball (modified, junior varsity, varsity)

Girls Basketball (modified, junior varsity, varsity)

Bowling (varsity)

Cheerleading (varsity)

Wrestling-merged with BKW

Baseball (modified, varsity)

Softball (modified, varsity)

Boys Track (modified, varsity)

Girls Track (modified, varsity)

Tennis (varsity)