Sachem

Have a question for anyone out there that has kids in Sachem high school or recently graduated. Need your opinions on the school and if your kids had an overall good experience there, good education. Thinking of moving out of Sachem to a smaller school district. The move will cost us as we bought when the market was high. Just want to make sure it is worth it and I am not overreacting. I read all the school stats and sachem doesn't rank bad but I do hear a lot of stories that worry me. Thanks for any info.

Sachem

I'm in the district and even though my kid isn't going to even be in Kindergarten for another 4 years, I have heard nothing that has made me even consider moving. Every district has their issues.

Sachem

My cousins went to sachem. One is a sergeant in the United states marine corps and one is an elementary school teacher. They both did great and had no issues w the schools.

Sachem

It depends on what you're worried about. Not sure about the district specifically, but some things to look at:
Class size, percentage of students going to 4 year colleges, arts programsco-curricular opportunities, research programs, academic competitions...
If you're talking about discipline issues, gang problems etc., you're better off talking to someone in the PTA. It's just that these issues exist in different degrees everywhere...

Re: Sachem

I grew up in Sachem. If you're getting concerned based on what you hear on sachems moms fb page I really wouldn't worry. It's a group that highlights the negative stuff. It's a large school district yes but they have a lot to offer. Everyone I know who went to Sachem went onto be successful. Also just because you move to another School district doesn't mean there won't be issues there. A lot of school is what you make of it.

Message edited 1/19/2015 7:35:49 AM.

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Honestly you will hear bad about EVERY school district.
I don't think there is one- including the top rated ones- that don't have some issues.
Just like anything else.
No neighborhood is perfect, no school district is perfect, etc.
I think the good outweighs the bad with Sachem.
I'm not worried at all.

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I have 3 cousins who graduated from Sachem the 90s and early 2000s. All are successful.

My kids are in elementary and younger. I hear the things "sachem Moms" say. But, the above posters are right. Every district has its problems.

I myself graduated from Bayport. And I can think of a few people who ODd that I graduated with. Sachem has a lot to offer our kids. And ultimately it us how we parent.

Message edited 1/19/2015 10:34:32 AM.

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Sachem

I graduated from there and my sister and two cousin the latest graduated in 2010. We all went on to four year colleges. Yes it is a big district but it has a lot of schools which keeps class sizes some what down. I feel the district is so big so you hear about more kids and problems. A smaller district has less kids so you don't hear about the issues as often.

Sachem

Smaller districts and even private schools can have problems. Often they are related to how the kids in them are brought up and how careful or not their parents are.

Sachem

Thanks for the insight. I am not as worried about the teachers/class offerings as I am about the parents and values in the community. I truly think some schools are ranked higher because families in that community expect more from their kids (college, good grades, etc). Just worries me when i look online and all the elementary schools are rated a 6 and the surrounding districts are all 8 and 9's. College rate in the 40% range for high school. Hopefully this will improve once they get out of their financial mess.

Sachem

Every district has problems. Even the best schools on Long Island...have drug problems for example.

Yes there are better school,districts than others, but at the end of the day it will come down to your individual child, the crowd they hang with, their study habits, etc etc.

Re: Sachem

I am a sachem grad! I had nothing but great teachers. My daughter will be entering kindergarten next year. She has special needs and so far working with DDI and dealing with Sachem, I can't say how wonderful they have been to work with. They really want the best for your child so they can succeed. I wouldnt go by the ratings so much as it is a BIG district so the rating will be much different than a smaller district. Sachem is a great school and Many successful people come from there! Even ones you see on TV today.

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Sachem

Invalid user your responding to. Stirred the pot and left.

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Sachem

I graduated in 2006 and my sister in 2009. We both are college educated and she recently landed a permanent sub position. We both participated in extra curriculars as well as music programs. We both graduated with Advanced Regents Diplomas and everyone we were friendly with had the same good experiences. My class has produced 3 doctors, 4 teachers, and a successful recording artist that I can think of off the top of my head. Id say its a good district to be in.

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For all the Sachem grads (and for the OP if she is still lurking). Thought this was cool

Notable alumni

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Sachem feeds in from a large demographic area. I think the problem with East is honestly the demographics. If you look North is performing better. I'm going to be honest here and say the idea of my kid going to high school in Farmingville is worrisome to me. We are is a financial mess right now. It's really bad, we have an alarmingly low rate of funds. Our board has totally screwed us in making poor decisions-they all need to go ASAP. If you've ever attended a board meeting, it's like Groundhog Day every time, nothing ever gets solved. I don't know what the right answer is because I am thinking about moving out myself. It's very unstable, financially and academically we keep sinking. My newest concern is how The Hub and The Pines(both low income rentals) will add to this mess. The Hub will be part section 8, not sure about The Pines yet. Does Sachem Moms exaggerate and let you see every little fart going on?? Yes, but there are also valid concerns going on right now and you should be concerned in my opinion.

Message edited 2/12/2015 5:32:19 AM.

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Sachem

I agree- nothing is perfect however I will say this... I work in a field where my world revolves around special needs and while I don't have kids yet, we are strongly considering sachem area because they have had a long standing awesome special education program if we ever needed it. No school is perfect. My parent paid 10k a year for me to attend a private high school and wouldn't you know the drug problem was a major issue- more money = more problems in my opinion. Your children will be who they become because of the values you instill in them. While peers play a huge part, ultimately you are the parent you are in the drivers seat until your children are 18 and even then there after many times.