South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

Hello! I am a new mom here. My name is Lisa and I am looking to make the move from the North Shore over to the South Shore, but am planning on basing my house choice on the school district.

My husband and I are looking into Bayport, Oakdale, Sayville or Islip and I was wondering if there were any parents on here that could offer pros and cons on either district. My child will be entering kindergarten next year and I am trying to educate myself on these district's strengths.

Thanks so much for your help! I look forward to chatting!

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

DH grew up in Islip and went to Islip and loved it. I don't think Oakdale has it's own district--I think they go either to Sayville or Connetquot depending on where the home is.

Out of the districts mentioned, I'd choose Sayville--it's small, very personal (a family member is a Principal there and knows each student by name!), and always wins awards for excellence.

Message edited 1/16/2010 8:58:45 PM.

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

I work in BAyport....IMO it's a great district. Saville and Bayport and very comparable...and Oakdale is Connetquot SD (a good one also, just bigger than the other 2 I think) FM me if you have any specific questions.

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

Sayville and Bayport-Blue Point are both smaller districts. Both have good reputations as far as I know. Living in Oakdale you'd be in Connetquot, which is pretty large- my graduating class was nearly 550. It has a decent reputation. Don't know much about Islip.

Your DC would get a good education at any of these districts. Are there specific programs or opportunities that you are interested in for your DC? Does DC have any special needs that you'd be taking into consideration? It might help you in your search to think more specifically about what you are looking for in a district.

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

Of the areas you mentioned I would pick Sayville. Beautiful community with a school district that is on the smaller side. My SIL lives there (LOVES IT) and we are considering moving there from Dix Hills as well.

Oakdale is also very nice but the school district is quite large which I am not a fan of. Your child could go to school with people who love on the Great South Bay and others who live North of the Expressway....that is quite a distance.

Have you checked the school reports by Newsday? Yearly they publish proficiency results for Elementary, Middle and High School. (Math/English) They also publish spending per pupil in each district. If I had to guess I would think Sayville would have more favorable results than the others you mentioned....but I am not positive.

Good luck with your research.

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

Thanks for the replies so far.
No special needs. I am looking for a school that is strong in literacy.

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

i would pick Sayville personally..
i love Bayport and have lots of friends that live there but for some reason they say there is no buses for the elementary school? i'm not sure if it's cause they are closer to the school (they are not that close though) or if there are no buses at all in the elementary schools.. the parents have to drive them.

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

I did similar research and ended up pulling Islip off my list. It ranked barely in the middle according to Newsday, and having lived close to the high school for several years, I can say I didn't feel good about the crowds who walked out of the school in the afternoons... some were fine, of course, but a lot of people with their pants down to their knees and "gang-looking" clothes and bandanas.

I don't know much about Bayport, but Sayville and Oakdale are both good.

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

I grew up in Oakdale and hope to move back down there one day. It was a wonderful place to grow up and my parents were very happy with Connetquot School District. When I consider moving my family, I would be happy in either Oakdale, Sayville, Baport or East Islip. They are my top choices and I think all are good.

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

Thank you everyone for your replies thus far.
Now, I know that no matter which district I choose, the elementary schools will be different. (i.e. Sunrise Drive, Lincoln Avenue, Idle Hour, Sycamore, Blue Point Elementary, etc.)
Are certain elementary schools better than others?

Also thank you for the input on Islip. I would love to cross a town off this list! It's tough!

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

My son's both go to Sayville. We have had an exceptional experience so far. The teachers have really made us partners in the education of our children. The administrators go out of their way to try to get to know all of the children - not just the particuarly bright ones or the especially troubled ones. The school district is small enough to afford that close knit community feel and the idealogy that children are individuals and not numbers -- but it has enough community support and financial resources that there are a variety of programs. The community is very invested in the schools and in families as a whole. There is a wide variety of festivals and activities for families that are sponsored by the town. They have a good before school and 2 great afterschool care programs.

All three elementary schools are great. And you can't really go wrong no matter which you choose. General rule of thumb is West Sayville and a good portion of South Sayville is Cherry. Lincoln is the central part of town and Sunrise are more the houses by Sayville Blvd and the lakes.

Message edited 1/17/2010 4:26:02 PM.

Re: South Shore Suffolk County School District Help (Bayport, Islip, Oakdale and Sayville)

I live in West Sayville and putting my house on the market within the next two months, its a ranch. if you are interesed in seeing it send me FM.