Long Island School Districts 🏫👨‍🏫 | What Are the Best Schools on Long Island?
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With more than 125 school districts on Long Island, choosing where to settle to give your kids the best education can be a challenge! Fortunately, it’s hard to go wrong no matter which Long Island town or village you decide to call home.
Which town on Long Island has the best schools? Don’t rely on a simple search of “best school districts in Long Island” to guide you. Choosing the right district means considering not only district test scores and classroom sizes. You should also consider your child’s strengths, interests, and special needs. Will they thrive in a district with great extracurricular programs? Should you look for the best schools for STEM classes and AP courses? Do they need extra support or special education?
This complete guide covers the best private schools on Long Island and the top school districts with information about Long Island school district ratings that helps you narrow down your options. Note the link to each school district’s New York State Report Card which provides information on student performance, enrollment, and other performance measures!
Table of Contents
Jericho Union Free School District | Jericho, NY
- Enrollment: 3,150
- Number of schools: 5
- Communities served: Jericho and parts of Old Westbury, Westbury, Muttontown, and Brookville
- NYSED Report Card
Jericho is located on the North Shore of Nassau County, mostly on the Town of Oyster Bay. It’s home to one of the best school districts in Nassau County, Jericho Union Free School District, ranked #2 in the United States, the best school district in NY, and the state’s best place to teach.
What makes the district so great? A 98% graduation rate with strong science and math programs that earn national awards, after school and morning clubs with a diverse assortment of extracurricular activities, and a proactive approach to help students get the services and support they need.
Jericho students frequently earn national scholarships and awards including 16 Jericho High School students named semifinalists and 32 named Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship program where only 1% of applicants make semifinalist. Students can enroll in a wide range of Advanced Placement courses and earn college credit at St. John’s University.
The district’s only high school, Jericho High School is one of the top-rated public high schools on Long Island. It’s a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School, one of just 19 in New York and 325 schools recognized in the U.S. It was also one of 20 of the best high schools on Long Island that made the list of Top 1,000 by U.S. News.
Great Neck Public Schools | Great Neck, NY
- Enrollment: 6,500
- Number of schools: 10
- Communities served: Great Neck, North New Hyde Park, and parts of Manhasset Hills
- NYSED Report Card
The Great Neck region of Long Island’s North Shore includes nine villages like Great Neck and several small hamlets in the Town of North Hempstead. With upwards of 60% of residents holding at least a bachelor’s degree, it’s no surprise that education is taken seriously.
Great Neck Public Schools is ranked the #2 best district in NY and one of the top school districts on Long Island. Great Neck’s recreational and co-curricular activities have a very high participation rate and 96% of the district’s graduating seniors go on to higher education. The regularly produces students named National Merit Finalists, Semifinalists, and Commended Students, Regeneron Science Talented Search Scholars, and Advanced Placement Scholars.
Great Neck South High School is one of the best schools on Long Island with numerous awards. The school is #75 nationally for STEM education and earns high marks for its academic acceleration program and special education for students with disabilities. Students can explore academic interests through an independent study program and enroll in the district’s music program that has earned state, national, and international awards with a choral program that puts on a full-scale opera.
Syosset Central School District | Syosset, NY
- Enrollment: 6,600
- Number of schools: 10
- Communities served: Syosset, Woodbury, and parts of Oyster Bay Cove, Hicksville, East Norwich, Jericho, Laurel Hollow, Muttontown, and Plainview
- NYSED Report Card
Do you have a budding musician or artist? For students interested in music and the arts, the hamlet of Syosset in the Town of Oyster Bay on the North Shore is the best district to be enrolled. It isn’t just one of the best Nassau County school districts; Syosset is ranked as one of the top 10 school districts in the US and one of the top districts for the best teachers. Two of its middle schools are among the top 5 in the state and it has some of the best elementary schools on Long Island. Syosset Senior High School is frequently ranked among the best high schools on Long Island with an impressive 80% AP participation rate!
The district is best known for its award-winning music program and art education. Syosset’s awards include:
- Named one of America’s Best Communities for Music Education for 20 years running
- Grammy Signature School honoree for its chorus, band, and orchestra music programs
- 14th in the country for music education by the National Association for Music Education
- Winner of the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network
- National School Boards Association Award for excellence in art education
- Multiple awards won in the Olympics of the Visual Arts competition
- Gold medals won at the national Scholastic Art & Writing Award competition
- Numerous NCTE Achievement Awards for writing
The district’s academic performance outside of music and the arts is also excellent. Students achieve high proficiency in reading, writing, and math and take the NYS Regents Exam for Algebra I in 8th grade, a year early, to have more time to prepare for the SATs and higher education.
Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District | Bellmore and Merrick, NY
- Enrollment: 5,300
- Number of schools: 5
- Communities served: Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick, and North Merrick
- NYSED Report Card
The Bellmore-Merrick high school district features two middle schools and three high schools serving students grades 7-12. The district earns top marks for its pillars of athletics, academics, altruism, and the arts and publishes monthly points of pride for each. For example, four students were recently honored as Long Island Youth Scholars of Mathematics for ranking in the top one-tenth of 1% in their grade islandwide. Students can participate in a large selection of sports programs including lacrosse, golf, volleyball, wrestling, track, and archery.
The district’s Sanford H Calhoun High School in Merrick is frequently among the best in Long Island high school rankings. It was named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School and serves as a magnet school for a number of programs like the Calhoun Choral Program and the award-winning Calhoun Theatre Program.
Manhasset Union Free School District | Manhasset, NY
- Enrollment: 3,200
- Number of schools: 4
- Communities served: Manhasset area
- NYSED Report Card
Manhasset, a small hamlet in the Town of North Hempstead, is home to one of the top school districts on Long Island. Manhasset UFSD has the second best high school on Long Island according to U.S. News and it’s #17 in the state. Manhasset Secondary School (7-12) is consistently ranked among the top 100 public schools in the country. The district’s comprehensive curriculum includes 220 courses and 25 AP courses.
While it excels in all academic and athletic areas, the Manhasset school district is noted for its excellent science program and it’s represented every year in national science competitions. There are six AP science courses as well as an AP Intensive Pathway for select students. The district has an award-winning research program with three levels of science research available to students that culminate in the STS Prep course.
Roslyn Union Free School District | Roslyn, NY
- Enrollment: 3,200
- Number of schools: 5
- Communities served: Roslyn, Roslyn Estates, and parts of North Hills, Roslyn Harbor, Flower Hill, East Hills, Roslyn Heights, and Greenvale
- NYSED Report Card
The Roslyn school district has developed a unique curriculum that is continually updated to make learning relevant, involve childrens’ interests, and embrace new ideas. Every child receives the attention and services they need with support services provided by specialists in everything from psychology and special education to math.
Roslyn UFSD has long-running programs in visual arts, music, drama, co-curricular activities, and competitive athletics. As one of the best school districts on Long Island, Roslyn offers more than 50 clubs for students and more than 20 AP courses.
Roslyn High School is ranked #39 in the state and boasts an award-winning research program and 82% AP participation rate. Almost 100% of students graduate and nearly all graduates attend higher education!
Herricks Union Free School District | Herricks, NY
- Enrollment: 4,000
- Number of schools: 5
- Communities served: Herricks, Manhasset Hills, Garden City Park, Williston Park, Albertson, North Hills, and Searingtown
- NYSED Report Card
Herricks UFSD is one of the oldest school districts in Nassau County with a history of more than 200 years. The district, which has always placed an emphasis on foreign language, has a nationally recognized language immersion program. Students in all attendance zones can participate in the Spanish immersion program with students and teachers using Spanish for half the school day.
Herricks High School has a reputation as one of the best schools on Long Island thanks to its 98% graduation rate, very high proficiency rates, and 84% AP participation rate. U.S. News ranks it among the top 2% of high schools in the country!
Best Private Schools on Long Island
There are over 200 Long Island private schools. That means choosing the right institution for your children is easier said than done. The following are ranked among the top Long Island private high schools and elementary schools whether you are looking for a secular or non-secular education.
- Friends Academy (Locust Valley) is a co-educational, Quaker college preparatory school for students in pre-K to 12. It’s frequently ranked as one of the best private schools on Long Island!
- The Waldorf School of Garden City is a dual accredited pre-K to 12 private school. This is one of the best private high schools on Long Island for a non-sectarian, non-denominational education with a unique curriculum that combines fine arts, woodworking, performance arts, athletics, and STEM courses.
- The Stony Brook School is a 7-12 co-ed boarding and day school with a 100-year history. This prestigious school was founded to teach “Character Before Career” with a Christian education.
- North Shore Hebrew Academy High School (Great Neck) is a Modern Orthodox yeshiva serving grades 9-12. Students receive a robust general studies and Jewish education
- Lawrence Woodmere Academy (Woodmere) is a non-religious college preparatory school serving students pre-K through 12th grade for more than 100 years. It’s a premier international school with co-educational, non-religious learning.
- Long Island School for the Gifted (Huntington Station) is a unique pre-K to 9 school for gifted children. It offers one of Long Island’s most advanced curriculums with students going on to Ivy League universities.
- Progressive School of Long Island (North Merrick) is one of the best private Cialis shop elementary schools on Long Island with small class sizes and a Neohumanism philosophy.
- Valley Stream Christian Academy (Valley Stream) is a small, diverse K-12 private school with all graduating students accepted into the college of their choice and 90% receiving scholarships.
- Chaminade High School (Mineola) is one of the best Catholic high schools on Long Island. For 90+ years, young men enjoy a comprehensive co-curricular and liberal arts curriculum in a setting that encourages Christian development. 100% of graduates go on to universities, colleges, prep schools, and service academies!
Long Island School Districts FAQ
Does Long Island have good schools?
Long Island doesn’t just have some of the best schools in New York; many of its schools are frequently ranked among the best in the country! You will find excellent public and private schools on Long Island.
What is the best high school on Long Island?
The best high schools in Long Island include Jericho High School, Great Neck South High School, Syosset Senior High School, Sanford H Calhoun High School, and Manhasset Secondary School.
What is the top-rated school district on Long Island?
The exact order varies from one year to the next, but the top school districts on Long Island almost always include Jericho UFSD, Great Neck Public Schools, Syosset Central, Bellmore-Merrick Central High, Manhasset UFSD, and Roslyn UFSD.
How many school districts on Long Island are there?
There are over 125 school districts on Long Island!
What is the worst school district on Long Island?
Long Island’s Hempstead School District in the Town of Hempstead is one of the worst-performing school districts in the United States. Just 8 miles away from Jericho, New York’s top-rated school district, it has a graduation rate of just 37%.
Have you settled on the right school district to enroll your children? The next step is finding a neighborhood and home to call your own. Once your moving day is on the horizon, give us a call at Zippboxx to get started with a free, personalized moving estimate!