Northport Senior High School

This school is definitely not what it's "cracked up" to be. Unless you exceed academically, musically, artistically, or all of the above; you're nothing to the school. You don't receive any recognition or praise. Same goes for whether or not you're in AP/IB classes. If you're an average student, it's almost as if you do not exist. Also, they make the biggest deal of out absolutely nothing. For example, if you receive ONE "somewhat negative" comment on a progress report/report card, you're called down to guidance as if there's some kind of huge problem that requires immediate attention. They also overreact about absences, even when they're notified about your illness/family emergency in advance by a parent. The school is huge, falling apart, and is just not attentive to everybody's needs. Administration doesn't know students' names from a hole in the wall; unless once again, as I said, you excel in a specific area. It's just not a great place to be.
—Submitted by a student

the school has a great ESL program !! <3 all the teachers are so nice and devoted to students!!
—Submitted by a student

School used to be great. Now it appears they really do not care about the student unless its high profile. Any problem and you become the bad guy. Money all goes to employees, school is falling apart and looks worse than it did 10 years ago. So I guess as long as you don't ask for help you are fine. They look good on paper, but do not follow through when there is a problem. Try to see how many days you have to wait for a return phone call. Then when you go higher up you get yelled at for doing that. There are some terrific people and many who have huge power trip and are not there to protect the student!
—Submitted by a parent

The extracurricular activities are great. Does offer advanced placement courses. However, the greatest weakness is the English Dept which does not prepare students to read and write essays. There is too little time devoted to intelligent reading and forming opinions. The district as a whole is overrated and does not apply revenue to appropriate academic outcomes.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of Northport High School and my experiance while attending this school was AMAZING! They offer the best classes, they have a very educated staff and are very helpful. The teachers as well as the rest of the staff there is dedicated to the students and helping them as well as pushing them to succeed and reach their full potential. I loved northport high school!

We have four daughters, all of whom have been educated in this marvelous district. My two older daughter received academic scholarships to the college of their choice, left Northport multi-lingual, with a full art portfolio, and did brilliantly in college. I have two daughters presently in the high school, doing well challenged by a host of AP/IB courses. Students for $60,000 under the guidance of Mr. White, winner of the Educator of the Year, engage the young adults in scores of charitable opportunities, both local and abroad. The music program is extraordinary and sports program replete with choices. The guidance couselors are well-informed and caring. I am a local realtor and I choose this district above all others when my children were babies, and the schools have accomplished for my family more than we even expected. Please note I am not easily pleased, but love our schools and community.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing all around. There is music programs like no one's business, extracuriculars galore and tons and tons of sports and art programs. It's fantastic.
—Submitted by marisa, a student

The performing arts are top notch and the school offers an exceptional variety of courses. My three sons were all able to pursue their divergent interests successfully at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

my children love this school the teachers and staff really care about what they are doing. it is a fine learning institute.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not a parent, but a recent alumni of Northport High School, Class of 2003. Northport has tremendous amount of opportunities to offer its students. The teachers there are free to offer help to all of their students anytime. The school community is wonderful, and I would love for my children to attend there.
—Submitted by Kristi, a former student

My child enjoyed the school because of the music program and a few teachers. He was blessed with a few teachers that truly cared. They seemed to be there when he needed them. The music program helped him open up and make friends. He did find the music program frustrating at times because they weren't rated behind a curtain. He felt the teacher had made her decision before they even started. As a boy, he also complain about the dress code. He found it very distracting to see a girl in revealing clothes. This was his observation, not mine (the parent). Academically, he was one of the top ten percent. I would like to thank those few teachers for this.
—Submitted by a parent

The course booklet is too large. The children are frustrated when having to make a choice. Do we really need so many college courses?! Spend more time and money on the basics. There are many chidren in the high school that cannot read and write. Spend more time with them. I also do not agree with home suspension. My own child (who is an excellent student) makes comments about the suspended children. He wonders what it would be like to have home instruction at times. His own words: 'It's not bad sleeping in and getting up just when the teacher is due to come over.' Thankfully he has never been suspended. He knows better. Why can't we have in school suspension. They did when I went to school. How much is this costing the taxpayers. I could image how much the teachers make for these house calls!!!
—Submitted by a parent

For the most part this school is exceptional. Freedom within parameters is the best way I can describe it. Unfortunately some teachers, this past year, seemed a bit 'burned out'. Luckily a particular one, in the Science department, has retired. Perhaps next year my son will have a better experience with his science course.
—Submitted by a parent

Having been a student at Northport HS in the 80's and an educator (Teacher's College, Columbia University M.A. graduate) currently, I feel qualified to make an accurate rating of this school's performance as an academic institution. In my opinion, Northport HS offers a scope of curriculum that's unparalleled, an environment that encourages free and independent thought and a healthy social atmosphere that prepares students for college... In hindsight, I feel very lucky I had the opportunity to be a graduate of this High School. From my perspective, the only thing missing to make this a complete microcosmic representation of the 'real world' would be the school's lack of ethnic diversity... However, this is not the fault of the institution. And I feel this school's liberal philosophy definitely supports students expressing their individuality (that might makes up for this).
—Submitted by a former student

As a teacher retired from the district, and as a parent of a Northport High School graduate, I have always regarded Northport High as one of the truly great schools in the state, and probably the country, as well.