Long Island School Districts Guide
Long Island School Districts Guide
One of the first questions that prospective home buyers ask their real estate agent is "What school district is this home in?" For parents of young children, the answer can make or break a sale. Long Island is home to 125 public school districts, 233 private schools and 25 colleges and universities. So, when it comes to schools, you have many choices.
Long Island's Best Schools
Long Island schools have a reputation for being some of the most innovative in New York, featuring magnet programs and specialized academies. For example, PS 156, better known as the Waverly School of the Arts, is considered one of the top public art schools in the U.S. However, even non-specialized schools still rank highly nationally, especially considering that Long Island schools typically offer the most Advanced Placement (AP) courses in the widest variety of subjects.
In general, Nassau County offers more top-performing schools than Suffolk County. Riverside School and Watson School, part of the Rockville Centre Union Free School District, are ranked among the best elementary schools in Nassau County. Jericho Union-Free School District is another top performing district, with three highly recognized elementary schools, one middle, and one secondary school.
For high schools, the Great Neck Union Free School District stands out, with both Great Neck North and Great Neck South consistently ranking highly in the standardized test scores. On the other side of the island, Cold Spring Harbor Central School District is one of the best districts in Suffolk County. While the financial scandals and auditing of 2005 may have dampened many parents' enthusiasm for some of the notable Long Island school districts such as Roslyn, the success of their academic programs has remained unquestioned.