On July 28, The Times Herald-Record reported that the New York State Department of Education had released figures based on 2004-2005 data that showed what percentage of teachers were considered "highly qualified" in each school district. Of the 35 school districts in the tri-county region, only five achieved a perfect score. The Ellenville Central School District, along with Greenwood Lake, Marlboro, Minisink Valley, and Warwick made up the group of five.

Ellenville's Superintendent of Schools, Lisa Wiles remarked, "We are gratified that this designation by the state affirms our efforts to provide, in every respect, a quality education to our students." Ms. Wiles went on to say that the perfect score was indicative of the diligence with which she and her staff try to fill vacant posts within the district.

In order to be considered qualified a teacher must have majored in the subject matter in college (math, science, foreign language, history, English) and hold a master's degree in education to teach in a public school. The ranking serves as part of the criteria that school districts must meet under the provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. The ranking is part of New York State's goal to be in compliance with the act by the end of 2006-2007 school year.

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