Enormous Suffolk School District ? (Smithtown, Sayville: credit, home, school districts)

[lilibrarian]

I'm curious about some of the larger School districts in Suffolk, specifically Longwood and Sachem. I've heard mixed things and seen the scores, but am looking for info from people who might really know. There were a couple of areas that might be a good fit for us (Nesconset, Lake Grove, Yaphank, Ridge), but I'm apprehensive about the schools. Specifically, that with fairly diverse populations represented, are there tensions, gangs etc. Also, is it easy to get lost in the shuffle with such big classes? You know, just the average student, not a genius, not requiring special ed? Mind you, my kids are very young, so I'm not positive they are geniuses yet.

How do they compare with Smithtown or 3V? If I were to go South Shore I'm thinking Sayville, Bayport or Blue Point. Better options?

[yeaitsme]

Bayport Blue point out performs 3v in test scores and IMO doesn't get the credit it deserves. Sachem ironically has smaller class sizes than you would think for such a large district. Longwood has issues in the HS that I would not want to deal with. I grew up there but attened private school for that reason. If I were you I wouldgo towards Bayport Blue Point. The schools are amazing and it's a small district.

[okaydorothy]

We live in Longwood but our children go to Parochial school for the same reason ; I think they would get lost in such a huge school.

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[KellyFG]

I live in Longwood but my children don't attend. My son graduated from our previous district and my stepdaughter attends her mother's home district.
I would not have any reservations sending my children to Longwood elem. schools. In fact I'm sure they'd get a great education, the middle school would probably be ok too. When it comes to the high school, I would need to make a decision based on that time(for example it will be propbably be almost ten years until your kids will be in 9th grade). Currently I believe the high school admin. has a good handle on gangs & violence. I have heard from my neighbors that their older kids are all doing well & are happy to go to school. Longwood has lots of opportunities, great sports teams, great clubs and if your child is a super smart kid there are scholarships galore & plenty of opportunities to get into good schools because its not a lilly white area.
Sachem residents have been getting the shaft with their taxes over the last few years, I'd need to look into that more before I could even consider it.
The other great thing about my area is its just much more rural & country-like than other towns you mentioned. I think its a great place to raise kids!
Oh & our library is GREAT! The best I've ever had access to.

I think greatschools.net is a little skewed in their rating system but I find their reviews helpful.

[lilibrarian]

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm definitely not as concerned with elem level as high school. The MS/HS level, imo, is where the learning divide really seems to widen and when you factor in social pressures etc., I just get concerned. And I've got 10 years to go 'til HS And there are a couple of areas that I really like in Longwood. KellyFG, Suffolk in general has a fantastic library system. If you don't have it at your library, you can get it at another. People should take advantage. Huge $$ saver.

I actually didn't realize how huge many districts are. Smithtown and 3V are not much smaller than a Longwood. I'm going to check out greatschools.net later, but does anyone have opinions on South Manor? I think I had it mixed up with South Country.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by lilibrarian

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm definitely not as concerned with elem level as high school. The MS/HS level, imo, is where the learning divide really seems to widen and when you factor in social pressures etc., I just get concerned. And I've got 10 years to go 'til HS And there are a couple of areas that I really like in Longwood. KellyFG, Suffolk in general has a fantastic library system. If you don't have it at your library, you can get it at another. People should take advantage. Huge $$ saver.

I actually didn't realize how huge many districts are. Smithtown and 3V are not much smaller than a Longwood. I'm going to check out greatschools.net later, but does anyone have opinions on South Manor? I think I had it mixed up with South Country.

Townhunter helped me tremendously...heres a snapshot of the area.
Side-by-Side City Comparison

Yaphank, NY Manorville, NY East Moriches, NY Rocky Point, NY
School Scores Achievement index
Normalized average of 6 other school scores. Higher number indicates better score 60.39 37.66 51.52 67.53
School Info
Fundamentals index
Combined measure of other indexes in this group. 0 is the worst, 100 is the best. 76 61 64 66
Program expenditures per student
Amount spent annually on each student for educational programs $9303 $6189 $9713 $7312
Total expenditures per student
Total amount spent annually on each student $17494 $9034 $18816 $12524
Student to teacher ratio
Average number of students per teacher 15 15.9 16 15.9
High School Drop out rate
Percentage of students that started but did not complete high school 0 % 0 % 0.6056 % 0 %

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by lilibrarian

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm definitely not as concerned with elem level as high school. The MS/HS level, imo, is where the learning divide really seems to widen and when you factor in social pressures etc., I just get concerned. And I've got 10 years to go 'til HS And there are a couple of areas that I really like in Longwood. KellyFG, Suffolk in general has a fantastic library system. If you don't have it at your library, you can get it at another. People should take advantage. Huge $$ saver.

I actually didn't realize how huge many districts are. Smithtown and 3V are not much smaller than a Longwood. I'm going to check out greatschools.net later, but does anyone have opinions on South Manor? I think I had it mixed up with South Country.

Townhunter helped me tremendously...heres a snapshot of the area.
South Manor is pretty mediocre but next to Wm Floyd its Ivy League.
I think Longwood and Rocky Point will be your best bang for the buck in the area.
I guess it comes down to if you want the Sound or the space.
Side-by-Side City Comparison

Yaphank Manorville East Moriches Rocky Point Wading River Shoreham
School Scores
Achievement index
Normalized average of 6 other school scores. Higher number indicates better score 60.39 37.66 51.52 67.53 61.47 67.53
School Info
Fundamentals index
Combined measure of other indexes in this group. 0 is the worst, 100 is the best. 76 61 64 66 78 75
Program expenditures per student
Amount spent annually on each student for educational programs $9303 $6189 $9713 $7312 $9238 $8191
Total expenditures per student
Total amount spent annually on each student $17494 $9034 $18816 $12524 $16023 $13516
Student to teacher ratio
Average number of students per teacher 15 15.9 16 15.9 14.2 13.7
High School Drop out rate
Percentage of students that started but did not complete high school 0 % 0 % 0.6056 % 0 % 0 % 0 %


BTW Thanks to Lilco.Rocky Point-SWR got a pretty sweet Library out of the Shoreham debacle.
North Shore Public Library

[NY62]

Sachem is not as diverse as you think . I believe it is like 98% white. My kids have no problems in sachem. Longwood I would stay away from totaly. Not just because of the diversity either. If you can, go with a smaller district, but they have there own set of problems, If you go to some small districts and your kids dont have what some of the "rich kids" have, there could be problems. I know of people that moved to sayville from sachem and absolutely hated it and moved back in a year. because of the snooty my sh** dont stink factor . Eastport south manor Is a nice school district, they have all the newest stuff, but you pay in taxes.

[clamboy]

Originally Posted by NY62

Sachem is not as diverse as you think . I believe it is like 98% white. My kids have no problems in sachem. Longwood I would stay away from totaly. Not just because of the diversity either. If you can, go with a smaller district, but they have there own set of problems, If you go to some small districts and your kids dont have what some of the "rich kids" have, there could be problems. I know of people that moved to sayville from sachem and absolutely hated it and moved back in a year. because of the snooty my sh** dont stink factor . Eastport south manor Is a nice school district, they have all the newest stuff, but you pay in taxes.

The numbers speak for themselves on So. Manor.

For what yor getting on what your paying...Id pass.

C

[okaydorothy]

Stay well away from South Country.

Speaking of Longwood ; I agree, depending on where the elem school is, it is good. Our local is Charles E Walters and has a good name.

The middle school ; that is usually where the problems are ; ever go to Saxton School (pat/med) at class out time ; its a zoo.

High school ; they are supposed to be ok.

good luck though.
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