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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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How do you determine if a school district is good?
Or does anyone have any info on the following districts. We are moving out of where we live because of the bad school district Of Brentwood.
Islip
East Islip
Babylon
N Babylon
Deer Park
Bay Shore
Lindenhurst
West Islip
Commack
West Babylon
TiA
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Posted 9/14/11 7:46 AM  |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
I think the best way is to ask people that live in the particular district. You can find test scores online for each district, but that doesn't always give you a completely accurate picture.
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| Posted 9/14/11 7:48 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
It really depends on what you want out of a school district. Diversity, large district, strong special ed program, great athletic program, lots of AP classes, a school that focuses heavily on the arts? I knew I wanted a smaller district in a family friendly neighborhood and wound up in Sayville.
I went to Bay Shore and loved it. I thought it was a great education and there was a lot of funding for special programs. It was a big school but not a huge school which was nice because you didn't get lost.
My nieces go to West Babylon and their mom loves the district. My older niece just graduated and got a full scholarship to college so the academics seem to be good!
No matter what school district you choose, parent involvement will make the experience better. I think the districts that have the best reputations actually are the ones where there is a higher ratio of parents who are actively involved with the teachers and administration.
Good luck!
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| Posted 9/14/11 7:54 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
I usually answer that question on here with a bunch of questions, since "good" varies by the individual.
What is "good"?
Large sports teams, so it has the best coaches, equipment and talent?
Small sports teams, so DC is guaranteed to make the team?
Lots of clubs and organizations?
High test score results?
High Teacher-to-student ratios?
Lots of languages taught.
Plenty of special needs teachers/classes/resources.
Small district so DC knows everyone in their graduating class.
Large district for diversity and more options.
What I think is a good district may not be the same as what you think is a good district.
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| Posted 9/14/11 7:56 AM |
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DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
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DiamondMama
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Graduation rate of HS & attendance rate are very telling
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| Posted 9/14/11 8:02 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by GoldenRod
I usually answer that question on here with a bunch of questions, since "good" varies by the individual.
What is "good"?
Large sports teams, so it has the best coaches, equipment and talent?
Small sports teams, so DC is guaranteed to make the team?
Lots of clubs and organizations?
High test score results?
High Teacher-to-student ratios?
Lots of languages taught.
Plenty of special needs teachers/classes/resources.
Small district so DC knows everyone in their graduating class.
Large district for diversity and more options.
What I think is a good district may not be the same as what you think is a good district.
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| Posted 9/14/11 8:22 AM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by DiamondGirl
Graduation rate of HS & attendance rate are very telling
ITA
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| Posted 9/14/11 9:56 AM |
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Tulips915
................
Member since 8/08 6851 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by GoldenRod
I usually answer that question on here with a bunch of questions, since "good" varies by the individual.
What is "good"?
Large sports teams, so it has the best coaches, equipment and talent?
Small sports teams, so DC is guaranteed to make the team?
Lots of clubs and organizations?
High test score results?
High Teacher-to-student ratios?
Lots of languages taught.
Plenty of special needs teachers/classes/resources.
Small district so DC knows everyone in their graduating class.
Large district for diversity and more options.
What I think is a good district may not be the same as what you think is a good district.
ITA!!
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| Posted 9/14/11 9:57 AM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by GoldenRod
I usually answer that question on here with a bunch of questions, since "good" varies by the individual.
What is "good"?
Large sports teams, so it has the best coaches, equipment and talent?
Small sports teams, so DC is guaranteed to make the team?
Lots of clubs and organizations?
High test score results?
High Teacher-to-student ratios?
Lots of languages taught.
Plenty of special needs teachers/classes/resources.
Small district so DC knows everyone in their graduating class.
Large district for diversity and more options.
What I think is a good district may not be the same as what you think is a good district.
I agree with this 10000%
For elementary through high school, I went to what would be viewed by most as a poor or less desirable district, probably similar to what people perceive of Bay Shore. We moved my junior year to a "great" school district. Granted this was in Mass but I think generally it still applies here.
Some fun facts:
I was ahead of all my classmates at the "great" district in most subjects.
I went from a college prep level at the bad school to the Honors level at the great school.
In high school, I had less choices and offerings in the "great" school.
My "poor" school received more funding because the district was technically poorer, this resulted in more programs to help kids such as vocational offerings and even things like Driver's Ed.
The great school had great sports but less offerings and a smaller pool so most kids who tried made the team, the bad district's sports were actually better and tended to beat the great school on a regular basis.
The great school had near zero diversity. White, upper middle class kids, no immigrants nothing. And these kids had all been together since Junior high. I experienced culture shock going from a school with kids of every race, religion, background and economic status you can imagine to that.
Looking back:
It's been 20 years but I bet it would surprise most to hear that the people I still am in contact with from the "bad" district are all doing better in life than the people I know from the "great" district are.
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| Posted 9/14/11 10:13 AM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
We live in Lindenhurst and are VERY happy with the schools, overall. My DS is in 6th grade and my DD is in K.
Here are some of the Pros:
-great elementary schools: small classes, caring, family-like atmosphere.
-great special ed program
-sports oriented
-community oriented ("Lindy pride!")
-lots of clubs and activities
And some Cons:
-there have been quite a few "extras" cut the past 2 years due to budget cuts. An elementary school closed and the 6th grade honors was eliminated, are 2 I can think of off the top of my head.
- All the elementary schools funnel into one middle school, and then one high school. It's extremely well run, but very large at the same time.
Feel free to FM me for more info.
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| Posted 9/14/11 10:16 AM |
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OffWithHerHead23
Keep passing the open windows
Member since 10/06 3627 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by tarabelle99
For elementary through high school, I went to what would be viewed by most as a poor or less desirable district, probably similar to what people perceive of Bay Shore. We moved my junior year to a "great" school district. Granted this was in Mass but I think generally it still applies here.
Some fun facts:
I was ahead of all my classmates at the "great" district in most subjects.
I went from a college prep level at the bad school to the Honors level at the great school.
In high school, I had less choices and offerings in the "great" school.
My "poor" school received more funding because the district was technically poorer, this resulted in more programs to help kids such as vocational offerings and even things like Driver's Ed.
The great school had great sports but less offerings and a smaller pool so most kids who tried made the team, the bad district's sports were actually better and tended to beat the great school on a regular basis.
The great school had near zero diversity. White, upper middle class kids, no immigrants nothing. And these kids had all been together since Junior high. I experienced culture shock going from a school with kids of every race, religion, background and economic status you can imagine to that.
Looking back:
It's been 20 years but I bet it would surprise most to hear that the people I still am in contact with from the "bad" district are all doing better in life than the people I know from the "great" district are.
I agree. I went to Catholic school, but I lived in Northport and most of my friends went to Northport High School. The drug problem was EXTREME at NHS, way worse than at most "less desirable" districts. The kids were wealthier and had more money to dabble in drugs... not just pot, but cocaine, heroin, etc. In the year I was a senior, I personally know of 5 kids who OD'd at NHS. You never heard about it... it was totally covered up.
There were not problems like that in a lot of other "less desirable" schools. That's just my personal experience, of course.
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| Posted 9/14/11 10:22 AM |
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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
My view of good again comparing to Brentwood is I want a school that I will feel safe sending my child too. That I won't have to worry about them getting shot or gang violence. And even though I know drugs are prevelant in EVERY high school just trying to find out what are the known bad ones.
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| Posted 9/14/11 10:30 AM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by OffWithHerHead23
I agree. I went to Catholic school, but I lived in Northport and most of my friends went to Northport High School. The drug problem was EXTREME at NHS, way worse than at most "less desirable" districts. The kids were wealthier and had more money to dabble in drugs... not just pot, but cocaine, heroin, etc. In the year I was a senior, I personally know of 5 kids who OD'd at NHS. You never heard about it... it was totally covered up.
There were not problems like that in a lot of other "less desirable" schools. That's just my personal experience, of course.
Ditto. I forgot to add this piece in. The kids in the better district had more free time, less oversight, less things to do, more money and cars.
In my "less desirable" district, I had never heard of a kid doing cocaine or anything like that. The most we did was take no doz with a Jolt cola chaser 
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| Posted 9/14/11 10:40 AM |
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tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by WannaBeAMom11
My view of good again comparing to Brentwood is I want a school that I will feel safe sending my child too. That I won't have to worry about them getting shot or gang violence. And even though I know drugs are prevelant in EVERY high school just trying to find out what are the known bad ones.
The gang issues at Brentwood would probably put me off too, honestly, ditto for Central Islip. I would still look at some of the "less desirable" (as I've heard them called) districts like North/West Babylon, Deer Park or Bay Shore.
And a lot can change in an area by the time your DC enter high school. Just something to keep in mind............
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| Posted 9/14/11 10:45 AM |
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annoyedTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 4/09 3272 total posts
Name:
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by DiamondGirl
Graduation rate of HS & attendance rate are very telling
ITA
And maybe look at AP offerings, percentage graduating with regents diploma, test scores and % going off to 4 year program
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| Posted 9/14/11 11:27 AM |
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Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by annoyedTTCer
Posted by DiamondGirl
Graduation rate of HS & attendance rate are very telling
ITA
And maybe look at AP offerings, percentage graduating with regents diploma, test scores and % going off to 4 year program
I have to laugh because I graduated from a very good high school without a Regents diploma and I am a complete and utter failure with a Masters Degree Back in my day, you didnt need a Regents diploma unless you went to a state school. don't know about today.
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| Posted 9/14/11 1:33 PM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by tarabelle99
Posted by GoldenRod
I usually answer that question on here with a bunch of questions, since "good" varies by the individual.
What is "good"?
Large sports teams, so it has the best coaches, equipment and talent?
Small sports teams, so DC is guaranteed to make the team?
Lots of clubs and organizations?
High test score results?
High Teacher-to-student ratios?
Lots of languages taught.
Plenty of special needs teachers/classes/resources.
Small district so DC knows everyone in their graduating class.
Large district for diversity and more options.
What I think is a good district may not be the same as what you think is a good district.
I agree with this 10000%
For elementary through high school, I went to what would be viewed by most as a poor or less desirable district, probably similar to what people perceive of Bay Shore. We moved my junior year to a "great" school district. Granted this was in Mass but I think generally it still applies here.
Some fun facts:
I was ahead of all my classmates at the "great" district in most subjects.
I went from a college prep level at the bad school to the Honors level at the great school.
In high school, I had less choices and offerings in the "great" school.
My "poor" school received more funding because the district was technically poorer, this resulted in more programs to help kids such as vocational offerings and even things like Driver's Ed.
The great school had great sports but less offerings and a smaller pool so most kids who tried made the team, the bad district's sports were actually better and tended to beat the great school on a regular basis.
The great school had near zero diversity. White, upper middle class kids, no immigrants nothing. And these kids had all been together since Junior high. I experienced culture shock going from a school with kids of every race, religion, background and economic status you can imagine to that.
Looking back:
It's been 20 years but I bet it would surprise most to hear that the people I still am in contact with from the "bad" district are all doing better in life than the people I know from the "great" district are.
ITA with both! Same here.. bad school but great results. Only 157 students no less. 200 class rooms and 10 PhD's teaching us when i went to school there.
They ended up closing our school because it went really 'bad' after the Clinton Closure of a few of the bases near the school. Most of the students, at least prior to that closure, have thrived and succeeded. *shrug*
I went for more money.
I wanted resourses, networking, contacts, oppurtunities and growth. But that means she'll be a small fish in a big pond. She'd probably be a huge success in a smaller school but now I figure she'll just have to work harder 
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| Posted 9/14/11 1:46 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by tarabelle99
Posted by OffWithHerHead23
I agree. I went to Catholic school, but I lived in Northport and most of my friends went to Northport High School. The drug problem was EXTREME at NHS, way worse than at most "less desirable" districts. The kids were wealthier and had more money to dabble in drugs... not just pot, but cocaine, heroin, etc. In the year I was a senior, I personally know of 5 kids who OD'd at NHS. You never heard about it... it was totally covered up.
There were not problems like that in a lot of other "less desirable" schools. That's just my personal experience, of course.
Ditto. I forgot to add this piece in. The kids in the better district had more free time, less oversight, less things to do, more money and cars.
In my "less desirable" district, I had never heard of a kid doing cocaine or anything like that. The most we did was take no doz with a Jolt cola chaser
I went to Northport HS (back in the late 80s and early 90s) and drugs were an issue then....pot precription pills, coke....not heroine because it wasnt big anywhere around here then. But yes there were kids with parents with money and had the means to do these things. I however received a great education and we had great sports teams then (won championships etc).
My DH ont he other hand went to Malverne which does not have a good reputation and the only drugs that he ever had to deal with was pot because of the lower income student body thats all they could afford. We both went on to Law school but came from very different education backgrounds.
I think it really has more to do with the family upbringing than the acutal school district.
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| Posted 9/14/11 2:12 PM |
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Jan1975
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Member since 8/09 3846 total posts
Name:
Sarah
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
I would go to the school report card and look at:
% of free and reduced lunches
% passing rates for ELA/MATH scores in MS
% passing rates for Regents in HS
% graduation rate
% going to a 4 year college
% of suspensions
ETA: Of the schools you mentioned I only know about Commack, and it is a great district.
Message edited 9/14/2011 7:19:03 PM.
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| Posted 9/14/11 7:17 PM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by SweetApril
I would go to the school report card and look at:
% of free and reduced lunches
What does this number tell you about the quality of the education? I'm not being snarky.. I am genuinely curious why this would have anything to do with a school being considered good or not.
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| Posted 9/14/11 7:50 PM |
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Jan1975
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Member since 8/09 3846 total posts
Name:
Sarah
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by rojerono
Posted by SweetApril
I would go to the school report card and look at:
% of free and reduced lunches
What does this number tell you about the quality of the education? I'm not being snarky.. I am genuinely curious why this would have anything to do with a school being considered good or not.
Honestly, it indicates the amount of poverty in the district. A lower income district most likely has a higher rate of gang activity which increases the violence in schools, which in turn disrupts the educational process.
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| Posted 9/14/11 8:00 PM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by SweetApril
Honestly, it indicates the amount of poverty in the district. A lower income district most likely has a higher rate of gang activity which increases the violence in schools, which in turn disrupts the educational process.
Gotcha. I never thought to connect those particular dots. I don't think I'm all in on that theory but I can see where your line of thinking is! Thank you for cluing me in!
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| Posted 9/14/11 8:20 PM |
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Jan1975
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Member since 8/09 3846 total posts
Name:
Sarah
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by rojerono
Posted by SweetApril
Honestly, it indicates the amount of poverty in the district. A lower income district most likely has a higher rate of gang activity which increases the violence in schools, which in turn disrupts the educational process.
Gotcha. I never thought to connect those particular dots. I don't think I'm all in on that theory but I can see where your line of thinking is! Thank you for cluing me in!
Yeah, the whole "gang" activity might be a stretch, but it was the only way I could really explain it YNWIM?
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| Posted 9/14/11 8:25 PM |
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MrsA1012
love my little girl !
Member since 9/10 5777 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: How do you determine if a school district is good?
Posted by SweetApril
I would go to the school report card and look at:
% of free and reduced lunches
% passing rates for ELA/MATH scores in MS
% passing rates for Regents in HS
% graduation rate
% going to a 4 year college
% of suspensions
ETA: Of the schools you mentioned I only know about Commack, and it is a great district.
This is exactly what I look at too. Also, I'd look at what AP / honors classes are offered and a list of the colleges that accepted the latest graduating class.
Message edited 9/14/2011 9:04:00 PM.
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| Posted 9/14/11 9:03 PM |
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