Commack School District
Encyclopedia
Commack Union Free School District is a public school district
located in Suffolk County
, New York
and is based throughout Dix Hills and Commack. It serves residents of Commack, Dix Hills, Smithtown and East Northport. It serves approximately 7,800 students. There are four primary schools (grades K-2), two intermediate schools (grades 3-5) one middle school (grades 6-8) and one high school (grades 9-12).
on April 14, 2007, and went on to take seventh place in the academic competition in the National Middle School Science Bowl
held at the University of Denver
. It is also a blue ribbon school of excellence (Blue Ribbon Schools Program
). The Suffolk County Reading Council has recognized the Commack school district elementary schools for their achievements in the area of literacy.
Commack had the highest Regents Diploma rate (94%) in 2004 of all comprehensive Suffolk County Districts. Ninety-five percent of its graduating seniors went to colleges of their choice.
Commack 4th grade math scores and 8th grade ELA scores were the highest among all school districts in the towns of Huntington and Smithtown. Standardized test scores for its elementary school students in the areas of reading/writing and mathematics significantly exceed the national average.
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
located in Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and is based throughout Dix Hills and Commack. It serves residents of Commack, Dix Hills, Smithtown and East Northport. It serves approximately 7,800 students. There are four primary schools (grades K-2), two intermediate schools (grades 3-5) one middle school (grades 6-8) and one high school (grades 9-12).
Mission statement
Within the context of a caring community of learners, our primary mission is to provide an exemplary learning experience that will allow each child to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to become a successful, contributing member within our school community and greater society.Primary schools
The Primary Schools in the Commack School district are Indian Hollow, Rolling Hills, North Ridge, and Wood Park. They service students in grades K-2. The school day for these schools last from around 9:20 A.M. to 3:20 P.M. although one should check with the specific schools for exact times. The students have one teacher throughout the day except for special classes like music art and physical education and special services like speech, physical or occupational therapy.Intermediate Schools
The Intermediate Schools are Burr and Sawmill. They service students in grades 3-5. Their school day is from 8:50AM – 3:05PM. The two buildings are identical in their structure and design. Both schools have at least 10 clubs that meet while school is not in session. The children have one teacher for the whole day except for special classes like music, art and physical education. There are many special services available like Physical Speech and Occupational therapy, social workers, psychologists and a gifted and talented program. There is also an English as a second language program. In fourth grade, the students begin to learn a musical instrument. They are given lessons once a week and participate in the schools Band or Orchestra. There is also a chorus for students who are interested in singing. Each 5th grade class in both schools takes a two day trip to Camp Mariah in Fishkill NY towards the end of the year.Middle school
The Commack Middle School services students in grades 6-8. The school day lasts from 7:55 to 2:42. The students have 10 periods in a day, each with a different teacher. The classes are 40 minutes in length (except for 1st period homeroom which is 8 minutes) with 4 minutes of walking time between them. Each child is required to take Math, English, Science, Social Studies, a foreign language, Gym all year for the entire three years. They are also required to take Art, Family and Consumer Science, Technology and Health for a quarter of each year. There are 65 clubs for students to get involved in and there are 20 school sport teams.High school
The Commack High School services students in grades 9-12. The school day lasts from 7:30 to 2:25. The students have 9 periods in a day, each with a different teacher. The classes are 41 minutes in length with 5 minutes of walking time in between them. Each student is required to meet the requirements for a New York State regent’s diploma unless there are special circumstances. They are also required to complete a 15 CSIP (community service involvement program) credits their first three years and 20 their senior year. They can be fulfilled by participating in sports and clubs or by doing volunteer work. Commack High School is an International Baccalaureate School and students pursuing an IB diploma are subject to a different set of requirements. At the end of the 2008-2009 school year there were 14 honor societies, 63 clubs and 21 sport teams for students to participate in. eight notable graduates of the 2011 class are Daniel Paulson, Joseph Meloro, Michael Tampellini, Justin Tampellini, Josh Weissman, Max Ganz and Josh Gittleman. Also Xavier graduated in this class as well. But he's at cornell. Jeremy Feinstein is amongst the finest students Commack High School has ever seen.Academics
Commack Middle School took first place in the Long Island Regional Middle School Science Bowl academic competition at Brookhaven National LaboratoryBrookhaven National Laboratory
Brookhaven National Laboratory , is a United States national laboratory located in Upton, New York on Long Island, and was formally established in 1947 at the site of Camp Upton, a former U.S. Army base...
on April 14, 2007, and went on to take seventh place in the academic competition in the National Middle School Science Bowl
National Middle School Science Bowl
The National Middle School Science Bowl is a middle school academic competition, similar to Quiz Bowl, held in the United States. Two teams of four students each compete to answer various science-related questions...
held at the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
. It is also a blue ribbon school of excellence (Blue Ribbon Schools Program
Blue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
). The Suffolk County Reading Council has recognized the Commack school district elementary schools for their achievements in the area of literacy.
Commack had the highest Regents Diploma rate (94%) in 2004 of all comprehensive Suffolk County Districts. Ninety-five percent of its graduating seniors went to colleges of their choice.
Commack 4th grade math scores and 8th grade ELA scores were the highest among all school districts in the towns of Huntington and Smithtown. Standardized test scores for its elementary school students in the areas of reading/writing and mathematics significantly exceed the national average.
Notable alumni
- Head college football coach Dave CohenDave CohenDave Cohen is the current defensive coordinator for the Western Michigan Broncos football team. He was the final head coach of Hofstra University's football program. He coached from 2006 through 2009, but days after the 2009 season ended, Hofstra announced that it was dropping its football program...
- Major League Baseball player Pete HarnischPete HarnischPeter Thomas Harnisch is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.-Baltimore Orioles:Harnisch studied accounting, and was a star pitcher at Fordham University, compiling a 21-3 college record, 2.29 earned run average and 213 strikeouts in 204 innings pitched...
- Famous Cross-Country Runner Daniel Paulson
- Entertainer Rosie O'DonnellRosie O'DonnellRoseann "Rosie" O'Donnell is an American stand-up comedian, actress, author and television personality. She has also been a magazine editor and continues to be a celebrity blogger, LGBT rights activist, television producer and collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company R Family...
- Opera singer Ruth Ann SwensonRuth Ann SwensonRuth Ann Swenson is an American soprano who is renowned for her brilliance in coloratura roles.Born in Bronxville, New York and raised in Commack, New York on Long Island, Swenson studied at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and briefly at Hartt College of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut...
- Founder of FBLA James Hanges
- Founder and Creator of Gay Straight Alliance Andrew Demarco
- Sportscaster Bob CostasBob CostasRobert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:...
- Business Executive Tom MendozaTom MendozaTom Mendoza is a business executive. He joined NetApp, Inc. in 1994 as its first sales executive. He served as its President from 2000 until 2008 until he was promoted to Vice Chairman. Mr...
, after whom the Mendoza College of BusinessMendoza College of BusinessThe Mendoza College of Business is one of the colleges at the University of Notre Dame, which is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.- History :...
at Notre Dame is named.
Teacher and Administration Contracts
Commack administrator and teacher salaries are among the highest in New York State. This has caused some controversy, including a story in Newsday A full view of the teacher contract and teacher salaries as well as administrative salaries and their contract is available at the Commack Teacher Contract WebsiteExternal links
- Commack School District Website http://www.commack.k12.ny.us/index.asp
- Commack Middle School Wins Science Bowl at Brookhaven Lab http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/PR_display.asp?prID=07-45
- Commack teacher and administration contracts and salaries http://commackteachercontract.wikispaces.com/