Choosing a high school here isn’t just about rankings—it’s about finding the right academic path, advanced opportunities, and college readiness support for your child.

In this guide, you’ll get:

• A side-by-side comparison of top New York school districts in Long Island
• What makes each public high school stand out (academics, APs, programs)
• How math tracks and placement tests affect your child’s academic future

Whether you’re planning a move or just planning ahead, keep reading to find the school—and the strategy—that fits your family’s goals.

Long Island’s Top School Districts: Quick Overview

Long Island, made up of Nassau and Suffolk counties, has over 120 public school districts—some of the most competitive in New York. In this blog, we focus on five top-performing and highly sought-after districts in Nassau County: Jericho, Great Neck, Syosset, Manhasset, and Roslyn. Known for strong academics and college prep, these districts consistently attract families looking for the best public education on Long Island.

District	District Size	Niche Rank in New York	Avg Class Size	Avg Grade Size (Middle/High)	Asian %	Student-Teacher Ratio	Teachers <4 Yrs Exp	Per-Student Spending ($)	Gr 3-8 Math %	Gr 3-8 ELA %	Location
Jericho UFSD	3223	3	18	295	73%	12:01	11%	35164	92%	79%	Jericho, NY
Great Neck UFSD	6585	5	20	289	52%	11:01	12%	32030	90%	78%	Great Neck, NY
Syosset CSD	6886	2	21	288 (MS) 584 (HS)	50%	11:01	8%	33389	93%	80%	Syosset, NY
Manhasset UFSD	2996	6	17	252	31%	13:01	14%	30124	91%	83%	Manhasset, NY
Roslyn UFSD	3277	4	21	263	24%	12:01	8%	30783	87%	73%	Roslyn, NY

Notes on the Data:

• Academic proficiency scores refer to the percentage of students scoring at Level 3–4 (proficient or above) in state assessments for Grades 3–8.
• SAT scores and student–teacher ratios are sourced from Niche.com.
• All other figures are based on the 2023–2024 New York State Education Department School Report.

Choosing a district is step one—but high school is where things get serious. This is when college prep ramps up, AP courses become available, and students start shaping their academic futures.

In the next section, we’ll dive into key features and performance metrics of top Long Island high schools—details that matter most to parents making informed decisions.

Long Island’s Top High Schools: Detailed Comparison

High school is where it all comes together—grades start to matter more, AP and honors courses open up, and college planning begins in earnest. That’s why many parents pay extra attention to a district’s secondary schools.

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at what makes the top high schools in Long Island stand out—and why these differences can have a lasting impact on your child’s future.

1. Jericho Union Free School District – Jericho High School

One of Long Island’s most competitive districts, Jericho is known for its Ivy-level college outcomes and rigorous academics.

• 95% AP participation; strong STEM & research track
• Signature programs: Research Design, Leadership (BOLT)
• Offers 5+ world languages and diverse electives from coding to business

2. Great Neck Public Schools – Great Neck South & North High School

Split into North and South High, each campus has distinct strengths.

• South High: Fast-paced academics, strong STEM clubs
• North High: Rich arts programs and well-rounded curriculum Ideal for families seeking balance between academic challenge and enrichment.

3. Syosset Central School District – Syosset High School

A standout for languages and the arts, Syosset supports early exploration and creativity.

• Offers 8+ world languages by 9th grade
• Known for SySTEM Robotics and Stage Design courses
• Strong music and visual arts programs with veteran faculty

4. Manhasset Union Free School District – Soysset High School

Manhasset combines rigorous STEM education with athletic tradition.

• Offers AP Capstone and a strong research program
• Science electives include marine biology and astronomy
• Competitive lacrosse and well-rounded sports offerings

5. Roslyn Union Free School District – Roslyn High School

Roslyn excels in humanities and AP offerings, while supporting STEM growth.

• Offers 26 APs including European History and Italian
• Features a research program for science-inclined students
• Strong community support and leadership development

Detailed Guide to the #1 High School in Each Top Long Island District

School Name	District	US News Rank (HS)	Total Number of Students	Graduation Rate	Avg SAT	Per-Pupil Spending ($)	Key Strengths	Admissions Policy
Jericho High School	Jericho UFSD	#114	1,257	98%	1430	35,096	Top-ranked nationally, rigorous academics, high college admissions	Zoned; direct entry from middle school; special approval for transfers
Great Neck South HS	Great Neck UFSD	#206	1,263	97%	1410	32,714	Rich AP offerings, holistic development, strong among Asian families	Zoned; direct entry from middle school; transfers rarely accepted
Syosset High School	Syosset CSD	#259	2,265	99%	1390	33,653	Strong academics, wide extracurriculars, competitive graduates	Zoned; entry from within district; transfers require evaluation
Manhasset Secondary School	Manhasset UFSD	#177	961	96%	1390	33,001	7–12 unified school, strong STEM, respected faculty	Zoned; progression from middle to high school; transfer requires approval
Roslyn High School	Roslyn UFSD	#493	1,036	97%	1400	34,145	Innovative teaching, strong arts, whole-child development focus	Zoned; middle-to-high progression; transfers handled by district office

Long Island’s Top School Districts: Math Pathways

After understanding the basic information of the school district, one big question parents ask is: How fast should my child move in math?

The answer depends on your district—and the opportunities it provides. Some schools push students ahead early. Others focus on depth before speed. In next section, we compare math tracks across districts so you can understand what kind of pace your child will be on.

District	8th Grade Algebra 1 Participation	8th Grade Algebra 1 Pass Rate	AP Math Participation	AP Science Participation	Other AP Participation
Jericho UFSD	55%	100%	23%	32%	18%
Great Neck Public Schools	38%	100%	11%	21%	39%
Syosset CSD	95%	100%	17%	24%	63%
Manhasset UFSD	44%	100%	14%	30%	44%
Roslyn UFSD	82%	100%	18%	25%	45%

Insights on Math and AP Course Progression:

• Syosset moves fastest—95% of students take Algebra 1 by 8th grade, thanks to a district-wide accelerated track.
• Jericho starts slower (55% in Algebra 1 by 8th grade) but leads in AP Math and Science later, showing strong high school rigor.
• Manhasset offers an advanced Honors path where top students reach Geometry by 8th grade.
• Roslyn separates students into standard and Research Honors tracks—most follow the Honors path.
• Great Neck keeps a moderate pace, balancing readiness and flexibility without early acceleration pressure.

Math Placement Timeline in Top Long Island School Districts

In most Long Island districts, middle school math placement begins as early as Grade 6, but timelines and criteria vary significantly by district. Here’s a quick comparison of when placement happens and how decisions are made.

District	Key Placement Stage	Criteria & Notes
Jericho	End of Grade 6 → Grade 7	Students are grouped into small, ability-based classes (~25 students); early acceleration in both math and science.
Great Neck	Grade 6	Students are placed into either Math 6R or an enriched math program based on Grade 4 NYS test scores and Grade 5 teacher recommendations.
Manhasset	Grades 4–5	Uses CogAT scores from the previous year. The district administers the CogAT again in spring. Accelerated students can take Grade 7+8 math in Grade 6, or begin high school-level content in Grade 7.
Syosset	Grade 7 → Grade 8	No formal tracking in Grades 6–7. Starting Grade 3, top CogAT scorers join “Project Beyond,” a light enrichment program. Parents apply online for placement into Algebra 1 in Grade 8; most students take Algebra 1, while some remain in Math 8.
Roslyn	End of Grade 7 → Grade 8	Placement into Research Honor or Honor tracks is based on Grade 6 and Pre-Algebra performance. Students are formally assessed at the end of Grade 7.

📥 Want to Understand NY State Math Standards Better?

Reviewing past exams is one of the best ways to understand what schools are looking for. These real test questions help you identify key knowledge areas and prepare your child for middle school math placement confidently.

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