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Old 07-22-2012, 09:40 AM
 
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Can anyone locals advise me on which is the better and which is considered the worst of the three? School rating sites seem to lump them all together.

Thank you
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Old 07-22-2012, 09:49 AM
 
Location: Long Island
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DawnSells View Post
Can anyone locals advise me on which is the better and which is considered the worst of the three? School rating sites seem to lump them all together.

Thank you
#1 is a small SD, 3 and 13 are rather large, if that makes a difference. Often, larger means more extracurricular activities. Opinions are all over the place, partially because of diversity of student population in some.
Suggestion: Go visit the schools and ask for a tour. Also, talk to the guidance counselor and college advisor of the high schools. This way you get information as it pertains to YOUR needs
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Old 07-22-2012, 09:58 AM
 
Location: under the beautiful Carolina blue
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Which one is 1? Is that Elwood (John Glenn)?

I agree with Elke's assessment. If I were choosing between 3 and 13, and nothing else, I would just go by which house I like better.
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Old 07-22-2012, 01:26 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Elke Mariotti View Post
#1 is a small SD, 3 and 13 are rather large, if that makes a difference. Often, larger means more extracurricular activities. Opinions are all over the place, partially because of diversity of student population in some.
Suggestion: Go visit the schools and ask for a tour. Also, talk to the guidance counselor and college advisor of the high schools. This way you get information as it pertains to YOUR needs
This is a no-brainer as Elwood (1) has long been considered one of the top academic schools in Suffolk County while Huntington (3) and South Huntington (13) are about average in Suffolk County. The most recent test scores in Newsday certainly confirm this general perception if there is, indeed, any doubt: Schools database: Test scores, school districts and salaries

Huntington's nosedive in reputation and performance over the last 5-10 years is related to the drug and gang-induced violent crime in Huntington Station. The installation of the shot-spotter and the closure of the Abrams school are direct results of the numerous shootings within the area. It is the criminality and NOT the diversity that has contributed to the diminished reputation of Huntington.

It is certainly true that Elwood is a smaller Suffolk County school while both Huntington and South Huntington are middle-sized Suffolk County schools. It is equally true that there may be differences in extracurricular opportunities between the two - I am not in a position to weigh the greater possiblities of being selected for a team or play or club leadership postion in a smaller-sized school with less competition numerically versus the general notion of an increased number of teams and clubs in a middle-sized school.

Finally, there was a time Huntington (3) enjoyed a stellar reputation and displayed a generally superior performance academically. Hopefully, Huntington (3) can one day regain both.
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Old 07-22-2012, 01:46 PM
 
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Both #3 & #13 have recently named new and well liked men to take over the superintendencies so that's a positive. Inside info has 13 being in a fiscal conundrum because they dismissed asst supe for business and after an internal audit found themselves $7 mil short. Next year will be interesting....half day K seems a certainty.
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Old 07-22-2012, 02:50 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Quick Commenter View Post
This is a no-brainer as Elwood (1) has long been considered one of the top academic schools in Suffolk County while Huntington (3) and South Huntington (13) are about average in Suffolk County. The most recent test scores in Newsday certainly confirm this general perception if there is, indeed, any doubt: Schools database: Test scores, school districts and salaries

Huntington's nosedive in reputation and performance over the last 5-10 years is related to the drug and gang-induced violent crime in Huntington Station. The installation of the shot-spotter and the closure of the Abrams school are direct results of the numerous shootings within the area. It is the criminality and NOT the diversity that has contributed to the diminished reputation of Huntington.

It is certainly true that Elwood is a smaller Suffolk County school while both Huntington and South Huntington are middle-sized Suffolk County schools. It is equally true that there may be differences in extracurricular opportunities between the two - I am not in a position to weigh the greater possiblities of being selected for a team or play or club leadership postion in a smaller-sized school with less competition numerically versus the general notion of an increased number of teams and clubs in a middle-sized school.

Finally, there was a time Huntington (3) enjoyed a stellar reputation and displayed a generally superior performance academically. Hopefully, Huntington (3) can one day regain both.
Sorry, but it's not a "no brainer" if you're familiar with these districts beyond test scores and Newsday headlines. Elwood has also been struggling financially and has been seeking consolidation with one of the neighboring school districts. Northport-East Northport, Harborfields, Commack, and Half Hollow Hills all have no interest in consolidation. In all likelihood, Elwood will be part of South Huntington in the next 5 years. Elwood has reduced teaching staff, academic programs programs, and extracurriculars since its financial crisis.

Districts #3 and #13 do still maintain "stellar" reputations among households that are serious about their children's educations. Both have well respected gifted and talented, honors track, and AP track programs in addition to the multitude of extracurricular activities. Drugs, gangs, and shootings have not diminished #3's performance, the influx of poor uneducated immigrant families has. Not all of them are gang members and drug dealers. The Jack Abrams School has also been closed for 2 years now. The expansive honors program, AP classes, and extracurricular activities still have "stellar" reputations. There is definitely room for improvement in both, but it paints and inaccurate picture to look the schools scores without also looking at demographic data.

HHS has 313 students per grade with a poverty level of 6-15.9%. WWHS has 460 with a poverty level of 6-15.9%. John Glenn has 208 with a poverty level of 0-5.9%. WWHS and HHS also have a significantly lower student-to-teacher ratio at 12-1 vs. John Glenn's 17-1.
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Old 07-22-2012, 02:59 PM
 
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Originally Posted by BigBlue53 View Post
Both #3 & #13 have recently named new and well liked men to take over the superintendencies so that's a positive. Inside info has 13 being in a fiscal conundrum because they dismissed asst supe for business and after an internal audit found themselves $7 mil short. Next year will be interesting....half day K seems a certainty.
Yes, last year the South Huntington assistant superintendent took the Huntington Superintendent positon and just two months ago the Harborfields principal leapfrogged up to the South Huntington superintendent postion. Both men have stellar reputations for hard work and honesty. And that also tells you something about Harborfield's reputation when a principal can leapfrog over the assistant superintendent position.

Someday someone will explain how Harborfieds and Huntington headed in the opposite directions the last ten years. And it has to be more than just the Huntington Station violent crime issue.

Beyond that, those of us oldtimers remember when Harborfields was a small school and Huntington a large school. Now they are both the same mid-size size (Conference 3 football FYI) and I would imagine that is because so many Huntington parents now send their kids to St Pat's and St Anthony's (and other Catholic and private schools) and more younger parents are moving into Harborfields because of the district's great reputation. Heck, I remember when Harborfields and Elwood (John Glenn) were terrific rivals in the 70's - 90's and now Harborfields is just about twice the size and Elwood is still Conferece IV graduating about 140-150 or thereabouts.
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Old 07-22-2012, 02:59 PM
 
Location: Long Island
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Originally Posted by h-tonian View Post
Sorry, but it's not a "no brainer" if you're familiar with these districts beyond test scores and Newsday headlines. Elwood has also been struggling financially and has been seeking consolidation with one of the neighboring school districts. Northport-East Northport, Harborfields, Commack, and Half Hollow Hills all have no interest in consolidation. In all likelihood, Elwood will be part of South Huntington in the next 5 years. Elwood has reduced teaching staff, academic programs programs, and extracurriculars since its financial crisis.

Districts #3 and #13 do still maintain "stellar" reputations among households that are serious about their children's educations. Both have well respected gifted and talented, honors track, and AP track programs in addition to the multitude of extracurricular activities. Drugs, gangs, and shootings have not diminished #3's performance, the influx of poor uneducated immigrant families has. Not all of them are gang members and drug dealers. The Jack Abrams School has also been closed for 2 years now. The expansive honors program, AP classes, and extracurricular activities still have "stellar" reputations. There is definitely room for improvement in both, but it paints and inaccurate picture to look the schools scores without also looking at demographic data.

HHS has 313 students per grade with a poverty level of 6-15.9%. WWHS has 460 with a poverty level of 6-15.9%. John Glenn has 208 with a poverty level of 0-5.9%. WWHS and HHS also have a significantly lower student-to-teacher ratio at 12-1 vs. John Glenn's 17-1.

Thank you!!
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Old 07-22-2012, 03:24 PM
 
4,992 posts, read 3,895,532 times
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Originally Posted by h-tonian View Post
Sorry, but it's not a "no brainer" if you're familiar with these districts beyond test scores and Newsday headlines. Elwood has also been struggling financially and has been seeking consolidation with one of the neighboring school districts. Northport-East Northport, Harborfields, Commack, and Half Hollow Hills all have no interest in consolidation. In all likelihood, Elwood will be part of South Huntington in the next 5 years. Elwood has reduced teaching staff, academic programs programs, and extracurriculars since its financial crisis.

Districts #3 and #13 do still maintain "stellar" reputations among households that are serious about their children's educations. Both have well respected gifted and talented, honors track, and AP track programs in addition to the multitude of extracurricular activities. Drugs, gangs, and shootings have not diminished #3's performance, the influx of poor uneducated immigrant families has. Not all of them are gang members and drug dealers. The Jack Abrams School has also been closed for 2 years now. The expansive honors program, AP classes, and extracurricular activities still have "stellar" reputations. There is definitely room for improvement in both, but it paints and inaccurate picture to look the schools scores without also looking at demographic data.

HHS has 313 students per grade with a poverty level of 6-15.9%. WWHS has 460 with a poverty level of 6-15.9%. John Glenn has 208 with a poverty level of 0-5.9%. WWHS and HHS also have a significantly lower student-to-teacher ratio at 12-1 vs. John Glenn's 17-1.
1. It sounds as if you agree the reputation and performance of of HHS has gone downhill: "Drugs, gangs, and shootings have not diminished #3's performance, the influx of poor uneducated immigrant families has. "

2. Is your argument that because John Glenn (elwood) has a poverty level less than half that of HHS and WWHS (your stats FYI) it is a lesser school? : "HHS has 313 students per grade with a poverty level of 6-15.9%. WWHS has 460 with a poverty level of 6-15.9%. John Glenn has 208 with a poverty level of 0-5.9%. WWHS and HHS also have a significantly lower student-to-teacher ratio at 12-1 vs. John Glenn's 17-1."

4. Is this in support of my point that Elwood is far and away a beter choice than Huntington?: "The Jack Abrams School has also been closed for 2 years now." (FYI this is the school closed because of it proximity to drug related murders and random gunfire).

3. Elwood's unsuccessful search for consolidation has been very much in the headlines.

4. Before you dismiss the importance of test scores to a district's reputation and achievements (!) take a look at the gap between Elwood and HHS recently released test scores (7 and 8 ELA and Math) - it is not even close.

5. I never suggested your assertion: "Not all of them are gang members and drug dealers."

6. I do disagree with this statement: "Districts #3 and #13 do still maintain "stellar" reputations among households that are serious about their children's educations." An incredible amount (NOT ALL) of Huntington and South Huntington residents who are serious about their children's educations send their children to the filled-to-capacity St. Anthony's High School (grades 9-12, 2500 students) in South Huntingon. St Patricks' elementary school in Huntington is itself overflowing at the seams at a time when the other Catholic elementary schools on Long Island are closing/hurting. This is not a coincidence. AND I AM NOT SAYING THERE ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE PARENTS, EXCELLENT STUDENTS, AND WONDERFUL PROGRAMS AT HHS.

7. I sounds like you are a fan of Huntington High School - I am too and I remember its old reputation quite well.
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Old 07-22-2012, 04:03 PM
 
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Originally Posted by Quick Commenter View Post
Yes, last year the South Huntington assistant superintendent took the Huntington Superintendent positon and just two months ago the Harborfields principal leapfrogged up to the South Huntington superintendent postion. Both men have stellar reputations for hard work and honesty. And that also tells you something about Harborfield's reputation when a principal can leapfrog over the assistant superintendent position.

Someday someone will explain how Harborfieds and Huntington headed in the opposite directions the last ten years. And it has to be more than just the Huntington Station violent crime issue.

Beyond that, those of us oldtimers remember when Harborfields was a small school and Huntington a large school. Now they are both the same mid-size size (Conference 3 football FYI) and I would imagine that is because so many Huntington parents now send their kids to St Pat's and St Anthony's (and other Catholic and private schools) and more younger parents are moving into Harborfields because of the district's great reputation. Heck, I remember when Harborfields and Elwood (John Glenn) were terrific rivals in the 70's - 90's and now Harborfields is just about twice the size and Elwood is still Conferece IV graduating about 140-150 or thereabouts.
It has nothing to do with "violent crime."It has do with changing demographics. Students aren't scoring lower on exams because they're dodging bullets. Some students are scoring lower because because of the influx of poor immigrant families.The test scores don't paint a full picture. They are thrown off balance, because, unlike Elwood and Harborfields, #3 and #13 have larger and more diverse student bodies that span cultural and economic lines. There is a large concentration of ESL kids. There are social problems.

Isn't it a "no brainer" that higher test scores will always be found in affluence. Huntington and S. Huntington still have excellent reputations for academic excellence, both in teaching and counseling its populations of poor ESL students to become literate in both Enlgish and their native Spanish and in teaching and counseling its middle and upper-middle class honors and AP students to get into ivy league schools. The two districts are very well funded and do produce strong ivy league material with regularity. Huntington is a "mixed bag" and the test scores reflect this.

Harborfields has a poverty level of 0-5.9 Percent. It's students are almost all white and come from middle to upper-middle income homes. An overwhelming majority of parents are college educated professionals. I'm sure the Harborfields principal is a skilled administrator, but he has his work cut out for him as he is faced with a very different challenge dealing with not only affluent white kids who are trying to get into Cornell, NYU, and Oswego (which has been his forte thus far) but also poor, unassimilated, uneducated, poor families many of whom have deep social problems.

Last edited by h-tonian; 07-22-2012 at 04:55 PM..
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