Elwood or Harborfields school district - how good? (Dix Hills, Greenlawn: lawyers, houses)

[Glad2BHere]

Anyone know anything about these districts? How good are they?

Thanks

[NYC2RDU]

(I feel like I'm stalking you through the forum)

Elwood is considered better by the locals but Harborfields has a good reputation as well. The only consideration with Harborfields is that there's one less than desirable neighborhood that gets pulled in and you want to make sure you're not near it (South of Pulaski between between Park and Broadway). It's not a horrible neighborhood but it presents more issues than you'll typically expect in the general area.

[Glad2BHere]

Originally Posted by NYC2RDU

(I feel like I'm stalking you through the forum)

The only consideration with Harborfields is that there's one less than desirable neighborhood that gets pulled in and you want to make sure you're not near it (South of Pulaski between between Park and Broadway). It's not a horrible neighborhood but it presents more issues than you'll typically expect in the general area.

That concerns me. We looked at greatschools.net and didnt like what we saw. Do you know what neighborhood is getting pulled in that is bringing things down?>

Also do you know if they bus kids to different schools to break things up? I know Dix Hills was doing that so that is why we crossed DH off our list. If I pay 16,000 in taxes, I better have the best school, not the school by the houses that have 7,000 taxes. It is insane.

Thanks alot

[Glad2BHere]

hope for an answer on this

[victorny]

A couple of points:

1) The idea that people consider Elwood even on par with harborfields, let alone "better" is absurd. The latest Newsday rankings have Harborfields higher, and the Newsweek rankings have Harborfields SIX HUNDRED (!!!!) spots higher in the national rankings. Harborfields is considered one of the best districts on LI, Elwood is considered middle of the pack. Harborfields people try to compare the district to other top districts, Elwood people are completely infatuated with Harborfields and have a big complex bout it.

2) As far as the "elements" in each district, take it for what it's worth but looking at the middle schools (what you brought up) Elwood is 16% black/hispanic while Harborfields is 11%. The numbers for Half Hollow Hills are at least as high.

The fact is Harborfields is one of the best districts in the country (at least in Newsday and Newsweek's opinion) and is a great place to raise a family and send kids to school.

[GCGuy]

Newsweek's rankings seem to be pretty bogus. They take a load of crap into account seemingly to prop up poor areas. To me, that makes it pretty invalid. I mean, the whole point of the intro was that test scores are a factor of wealth and that rich people think that poor people have bad schools and vicer versa. They also try to say that things like high drop out rates are a function of wealth and should not count. I mean, please. If my kid can't study b/c he may get mugged, it's not such a great school.

[Little Red Engine]

I live in Harborfields and have three children being educated in the district. Our district has evolved into a strong community of parents and administrators working together. Not everyone will agree that everything is perfect - it would be hard to find anywhere - but, through many evenings spent at board meeting, working on committees with administrators and watching the programs develop, I believe that Harborfields offers a quality education for all students but has opportunties for those who want more.

The middle school (my third child is presently there) is run with very clear objectives in mind. The 6th grade does not interact with the 7th or 8th - all grades are kept separate. This is a very tough age but the support that the administration provides to the students can, at times, go above what I would expect. There are programs available for gifted students, as well as extra help to those who struggle. Extra curricula is early morning or after school. I think what impresses me most about our community is how the school administrators encourage the students to be "community" aware. The fund raising for different groups is unbelievable. This year the middle school raised thousands of dollars for a scholarship in memory of one of the students who passed away last summer. They are teaching them to look outside themselves - not always the "I and me" this age is known for.

Our BOE is an interesting mix of parents, attorneys, and educators who, I believe, are placed in a difficult position each year to keep our budget down but provide a quality education to all the children. If you have questions, you may contact me off the forum. Good luck!

[tommy23]

Sorry ,this is not even a contest,I know because I have seen both districts scores.As far as the remark about south of Pulaski ,Greenlawn is a diverse community with hard working black families that have been around longer than the people that say this crap. You have the 2nd precient SCPD right there , the community of Harborfields is affuent compared to many others and there is a tremendous involvement of parents in the schools. In the TJL Elementry School, the Principle Ms. Tuzzi runs a tight ship and treats all the children as if they were her own. How can you beat that?

[wbirke]

I attended both high schools. John Glenn is much smaller than Harborfields and does not get equal Newsday press for that reason only. There is no big school envy by Elwoodians who know they have a very special place with a graduating class size of 125 or so. Education ratings are very similar--check the percentage of Regents scholars, etc. About 25% of my classmates eventually became professionals, doctors, lawyers, educators, accountants and about 25% became successful in business. The social composition is similar. A fair amount of cross socialization of the students naturally exists with scouting, churches, nonschool sports and, yes, dating. It is easier to become involved in sports and to stand out otherwise in a smaller school. It is also more confining. Greenlawn is a real town , Elwood is not. Both schools place a large percentage in good colleges but also have a working class and non white component as well. Neither is Cold Spring Harbor which has very little diversity. Both are very safe environments, with Elwood being more protective which for certain kids allows them to flourish.

[TomMoser]

Both are excellent school districts. The idea that anyone would knock either of them is absurd. I have worked with many people who were specifically looking to move into both districts. Both have a diversity of homes ranging from the 400's to over a million.