Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

Looking to buy out east, I've noticed that Patchogue is EXTREMELY affordable, but that makes me concerned about schools. I'm from Queens and know basically nothing, so any info would be helpful.

I'm looking at the following areas:

Bayport
Blue Point
Ronkonkoma
Holbrook
Sayville
Oakdale
East Islip
Lindenhurst
Babylon

Again, if anyone has any insight/info, please let me know. Feel free to FM

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

We're buying in Ronkonkoma in the Sachem district. I've heard good things. I'm a Nassau/Queens girl myself so I did research before looking. My mom lives in Patchogue. She moved there when my sister and I were adults so I can't comment on the school district. I'm not crazy about parts of it but the Main Street village area isn't too bad.

I've heard good things about most of the areas you listed.

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

All of those are pretty good

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

Pat-Med School District has some issues. I was recently at their open house for my nephew and they had an AVERAGE of 35 kids in his class. He's inclusion too.. 35 kids in an INCLUSION class. At least there are 2 teachers in his classes.. but they have the same number or more in just about every class. I also recently learned that the state testing at the elementary schools returned pretty abysmal scores. On an upside they are looking at changing the dynamic and making things better!

I live in Sayville SD.. but my only real experience has been with the elementary schools. I've been happy so far. They aren't perfect. I think their gifted and mathlete programs need some work and the elementary schools don't seem to have any clubs or activities for kids to try except for student government and music. Also, they do not have busing for children who live within 1 mile of the school after 2nd grade. Despite these very minor challenges, the experience has been positive. The community is warm and family oriented - and the schools seem to mimic that with their own Family Fun Nights. They also send home flyers to let the families know what is happening in the community as well.

As to the other districts, I've heard mostly good things about them. Sachem is MUCH larger than any of the others (it encompasses Ronkonkoma and Holbrook) - so if you do not want a large district you may want to avoid that one. Sayville, Bayport/Blupoint and especially Babylon are small districts - so if you do not like that vibe, you will want to pluck those off the list.

You might also include Bohemia on the list. I think many areas are very cute and it is part of the Connetquot district (like Oakdale).

KellyFG once told a house hunter to drive around the neighborhoods at random times. It's a really good way to get a feel for the towns and see the people you will be sharing borders and schools with!

Good Luck!

Message edited 10/11/2011 7:04:14 AM.

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

I just wanted to add that Sachem recently built more high schools because of it's size and because of it's size it offers so many programs that other districts do not. Big doesn't necessarily mean bad. In my own experience it's been a good thing but I am also still in the elementary system as well. My 3 yr old recently was evaluated by the district and now receives speech with them. I cannot rave enough about how seamless the process was for us. They have been wonderful. Our neighbors have a learning disabled child and in all honesty could afford a more expensive neighborhood, and they've said they looked. But when looking into programs through the other districts Sachem offered so much more for their child, so they stayed. We also have family fun nights, fairs, fundraisers here as well. I love my neighborhood and find everyone involved and routing for their kids Keep an eye on taxes in the listings. They can vary greatly in the neighborhoods you posted above.

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

Parts of Ronkonkoma are in the Connetquot SD (the part that I'm in, mainly SW of Lake Ronkonkoma), and Connetquot is a good SD.

Also, like I always respond to threads about "good" SDs, what do you consider "good"?

Large SD so DC have lots of opportunities
Small SD so it's more personable
Sports
Programs for children with special needs
High academic scores
lots of extra-curricular activities

etc, etc. A great SD for one person may be a bad SD for another person.....

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

As a parent of two older children with completely different needs, 1 special ed with excellent social skills and the other gifted with social challenges I think the best thing parents of very young children or future parents can do is find a school that offers a good balance of many things because you honestly never know what your child's specific needs will be.

I moved from Port Jefferson which is very small, but well known as a superior district however at that time had zero special ed services when my son needed to be classified. so I had to find a district that could provide what I needed. At that time after a lot of research I moved to Oakdale (Connetquot).

moving from Queens to Suffolk is a huge leap in many ways regarless of school district.
My advice to anyone looking to move to a different neighborhood is to visit many times, not just with a realtor looking at houses.
Eat in a local restaurant, shop in the local stores, drive around late on Saturday night, Sunday during the day, visit the library, follow a school bus route one afternoon.
these people will be your neighbors and your childrens' friends. what is comfortable and feels like home for me maybe totally out of someone else's comfort zone. Things can look great on paper or through someone else's eyes, but in reality YOU have to live there.

Good luck in your search.

Message edited 10/11/2011 9:43:40 AM.

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

Bayport/Blue Point is not only a small district, they offer absolutely no bussing, regardless of distance from the school. Depending on your work situation, that may or may not work for you.

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

We're in Lake Grove....Sachem SD. LOVE it here!

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

I would not buy in the Patchogue SD, I know teachers who work there and they are pretty unhappy.

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

You might want to consider West Islip it seems to be in the areas you are looking.
We are in W.Islip, and both grew up here.

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

Thanks for the information on this thread regarding school districts and special needs.

Any feedback regarding the Rocky Point School District ?

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

I am orginally from western Nassau and moved to Suffolk in 2007. We are in the East Islip SD and though my DCs are not in elementary school yet, I have several friends who grew up here and continue to raise families here as adults. There are great programs from what I understand: special ed, music, arts, sports and there are buses in the district. Come check out our town! There are a wide range of prices: from 300's into the millions. As you go farther south of Sunrise Highway, typically the more expensive the homes are. Good luck in your search!

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

My grandparents lived in Patchogue for 60+ years off of Main Street. I alwasy thought it was a cute town.

One of my aunts was one of the Deans of Students at Patchogue_Medford High School and based on her stories, I would never send my kids there if I lived in that district.

Re: Best School districts in mid-Suffolk?

Thank you so much, everyone for all the info. Feel free to keep it coming!