South Side High School

Terrific school, wonderful teachers, great curriculum. There is good school spirit and a responsive staff from the top on down.
—Submitted by a parent

From outside the town, I've heard that this has an accelerated curriculum, but as a freshman attending it, the school really doesn't prepare you well for Regents and SAT Subject tests, instead there are review classes which cost extra money, which is just silly. The school tends to spend its tax money on things they don't need such as a $2000 SmartBoard, instead of a) reinforcing test prep IN classes b) fixing the girls' bathroom on the second floor. The teachers aren't all that great either, there is a noticeable difference between teachers of the same grade, some far better than others.
—Submitted by a student

School only cares about those excelling in their classes. If your child has a learning disability or low motivation they usually are lost in the crowd. Highly overated, the principle is controlling and tends to cross boundaries into the home.
—Submitted by a former student

My child has attended school in this district from K-9th. During that period the administration has continually reduced the opportunities for the students witht the most ability to accel academically and musically while concentrating on kids with special education needs. This has been agreat disappoint. Teachers and counselors are excellent but have been squeezed during the process of reducing attention from the most capable students.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm currently a senior at South Side High School and do not yet have the benefit of hindsight as a graduate. Just a few comments however, the I.B. program, despite the fact that those who are diploma candidates have moments where they approach the edge of sanity as a result of sleep deprivation, is worth it. If you're a sophomore and wondering if you can handle it next year there is some good news, if you go full diploma and find yourself drowning in work and miserably confused, chances are most of your grade is in the same state you are. Complaining about the workload is part of South Side culture and can be quite useful, whenever your parents complain that you're in a bad mood or are annoying them, just tell them that you were working till 3 AM (chances are you're telling the truth).
—Submitted by a parent

I attended South Side High School and graduated in June 2001. It was an excellent school and the teachers are great! There are a lot of good programs and classes to choose from. I believe my experience there has made me the person I am today because the teachers were really great and I learned so much when I attended South Side High School. I am so glad that I was fortunate to attend a great school growing up; not a lot of people I know can say that about their high school. Thank you South Side High School.
—Submitted by Renee Del Valle, a former student

I attended South Side High School between the fall of 1997, and the spring of 2001. While I struggled with the usual 'teenage' issues while I was in attendance there, I cannot deny that the teachers and administrators at the school worked very hard to make the school a comfortable and safe place. The Academics at South Side are positively stellar--I began attending college in the Fall of 2001, and I cannot begin to describe how well prepared I was for the college curriculum as a result of my academic experiences at South Side High School. I still try to keep in contact with the teachers and mentors who supported and encouraged me while I was at South Side High School. It's the sort of place that grows on you, and becomes a second home, really. ~ Elizabeth Boylan, Class of 2001
—Submitted by Elizabeth Boylan, a former student

South Side goes out of it's way to be multi-cultural
—Submitted by a parent

South Side has it all. If you want a great education it is there for the taking. They offer so many courses to challenge all levels of students. Colleges know and respect this school for the students it produces.
—Submitted by a parent

South Side High School is the best. Students have a chance to truly be educated. Teachers, guidance councils, and track coach have really helped my daughter with her grades, essays for college and grants. I really made the right choice of moving to Rockville Centre, where there is education for everyone, especially for those who want an education.
—Submitted by angela wells, a parent

I believe if this school had more extracurricular activities for other ethnics groups it would be great to learn about cultures
—Submitted by a former student