Massapequa High School

Some of these posts, are submitted by a parent who has children that can do no wrong?...Most of the posts here of sour grapes. I have one son who went through and achieved great succesess academically over the sports that he played. My daughter currently attends and is often asked if she needs help in subjects to bring up grades with success and my youngest has no problem playing sports and keeping a high honor role grade in excellerated classes from 1st through junior high school. I did not have the opportunity to attend such schools growing up in Brooklyn and Queens. Suck it up. Although not perfect, our children have a damn good school system, if your parenting in the right way.
—Submitted by a parent

Some of these posts, are submitted by a parent who has children that can do no wrong?...Most of the posts here of sour grapes. I have one son who went through and achieved great succesess academically over the sports that he played. My daughter currently attends and is often asked if she needs help in subjects to bring up grades with success and my youngest has no problem playing sports and keeping a high honor role grade in excellerated classes from 1st through junior high school. I did not have the opportunity to attend such schools growing up in Brooklyn and Queens. Suck it up. Although not perfect, our children have a damn good school system, if your parenting in the right way.
—Submitted by a parent

Massapequa High School is severely underrated as to it's academics. The Administration has done a great deal in the last several years to up the ante, so to speak, academically. It's paying off - the students are enrolled in higher level courses and the graduates are getting into schools which for years were closed to Massapequa kids. Are there drugs at Massapequa? Yes but someone tell me a school where there aren't drugs? Is it rampant or out of control? NO WAY! Unfortunately when you find a community where the kids have money the kids will use drugs. The teaching staf is excellent and I feel lucky that my kids have had and will continue to have the benefits of an excellent staff!
—Submitted by a parent

To much money spent on sports. The teachers are lazy and over paid. There is also alot of drug use and not enough being done about it.
—Submitted by a parent

Massapequa high school is one of the best high schoo ls within NY state. Although its main concern does appear to be sports (althletes are highly regaurded as almost all teams donminate their sport), the administration seems to be putting more emphasis on academics as more and more students are being encouraged to enroll into AP classes as well as other college credit courses. This may or may not be a good idea depending upon your opinion of who should be enrolled in such courses. The electives awailable at MHS are exceptional and allow for students to truly focus on their main subject of interest. Overall MHS is great school that will provide your child with a strong foundation for success in the future.
—Submitted by a student

Quality of academics are excellent. Sports are excellent, many championship teams. Very good parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that the programs in Masspequa High School continue to be excellent. Availability of music, art and sports is of high quality. Very highly recommended.
—Submitted by a parent

Among one of the very best schools in New York State. They have zero tolerance for drugs in the school, with immediate suspension if found with drugs. I went to the school, and my kids now attend, I'm very happy with the academic results so far.
—Submitted by a former student

I am a former student and graduate of the high school. To be honest, I have two very differing thoughts on my attendance. First, the quality of the education I received no doubt led me to attend and now graduate from a prestigous university. The athletic programs were incredibly funded and many times actually took away honor from other scholastic activities. I do criticize the school in that the administrators are blinded by the amount of illegal activity that goes on around and inside the campus. The town is supported by middle to mainly upper-middle class single ethnic class inhabitants and their children are extremely well off. School policies might as well be written on toilet paper because they are definitely not followed.
—Submitted by a student

I am aware that this is a page for parents, however, I believe my statements should be available, because I am the voice of your children possibly attending. Massapequa HS offers electives that are not seen regularly, and those classes can make a world of difference in a student's well-rounded academic background. When entering college, you have possibly seen a bit more of science/language/trades and that gives an unbeatable advantage. However, I believe these fabulous possibilities are often masked by the lack of proper administration, and loud parents. There are definitely favorites, and they are usually the well-off side of the tracks, and the star athletes. It seemed over the years that the biggest problem was within many of the parents, and their lack of recognizing that their child was at fault. The school might not take action, however, sometimes their hand is forced by obnoxious parents.
—Submitted by a student

Massapequa School District breaks promises to both the parents and the students regarding zero tolerance. They have been 'caught' by parents whose children have suffered emotionally at the hands of their peers. Many parents have come together and their stories are all the same. The Social worker tells the parents, 'This is life. They will have to get used to it anyway. I suggest you teach them how to deal with this. The Administration, without a doubt, have their favorite parents and students. If you are not one of them, trust me, you feel it in your bones! As for the Sports emphasis: it's sickening. As for the lunch room: It's a childs place to unwind and eat with friends, not a prison. Get a grip. Let them talk. Let them laugh. Stop giving them detention for being human.
—Submitted by a parent

Massapequa has always been known for it's excellent schools. I was born and raised in Mass. & my children are now in the schools. It is a great place to live and raise children. I do, however, agree that too much emphasis is placed on sports. Give more college scholarships to students that excel in academics or good character. Wouldn't you rather have them as doctors operating on you than these athletes? I sure would!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter entered the Massapequa schools in the 7th grade which meant she started in the middle school. Her special needs were addressed immediately and attentively and she was on the honor roll for 2 years. She later on finished at the high school. They do tend to slip off a little because there is not much supervision or real concern for the students who are not with the 'in' crowd. Sports is definitely the main concern. Other than the sports there is little in other after school activities thus leaving someone not interested in sports little else to do. And I really don't like the open campus. They should have a better cafeteria and encourage during the daytime clubs.
—Submitted by a parent

Sports are emphasized over academics. Many teachers take on a buddy vs. adult role in the classroom. I was disappointed in the academics and the quality of teaching. Many of the teachers were raised in Massapequa and never left. There is little tolerance for diversity and the students are not encouraged to branch out. It's a nice town to live in; I just wish the schools were of a higher quality.
—Submitted by a parent

Very large number of students on an orderly campus. (District used to have two high schools). 9th graders attend classes on a campus across town and are bused over for after-school sports and club meetings. This is an open campus (students can leave the building at lunch time and eat at numerous nearby spots.) There are lots of after school activities. The school generally places more emphasis on success in sports than on innovation in academics. Although there is a broad selection of courses, students might be discouraged from taking difficult electives in grades 9-11, because the formula for determining class rank at graduation only uses grades from those three earlier years. (Senior year grades are not included). Most of the teachers are good and most of them are fair to students. Teachers are required to have Master's Degrees, though the degree can be in a very different field than they teach. A student can get a good academic and sports education at MHS, but might regret missing a chance to get to know students from minority backgrounds, since there are so very few in the district.