Westbrook Earns Reward School Status From New York State

Westbrook Elemntary School was among 67 schools across Nassau and Suffolk Counties classified as "reward schools," Newsday reported.

The school, which closed in June as part of a cost-saving measure for the district, was recognized by New York State for the academic achievements of its students.

Reward schools within the state are eligible to compete for up to $150,000 in grants, however because the school is now closed, the West Islip School District cannot apply for the grants.

Related: Community Gathers To Say Goodbye To Westbrook

"Unfortunately we cannot [apply]. We are not eligible to apply," Bernadette Burns, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, said during Thursday's Board of Education meeting. Adding, "I think it was terrrific that it was considered a reward school."

Burns also indicated that even if the district was eligible to apply, the chances of being awarded any grant money were slim.

"Only five schools were going to be a recipient of those grants and a good portion of the schools were city schools," she said. "I don't know even looking at the criteria that we would necessarily have been successful [in attaining the grants]."