History

Spackenkill Union Free School District was chartered by the New York State Legislature in 1865 and is one of the few remaining union free school districts within the state. The name Spackenkill stems from Spack's Creek. Spackenkill is a Dutch interpretation of the Indian words for "speaking waters." Spackenkill High School was established in 1973, after a referendum was passed, since residents of the area disliked the idea of their children transferring to Poughkeepsie High School after graduating from Orville A. Todd Middle School. Though the proposition was questioned, the majority of the residents passed it to purchase land for a high school, a necessity for the fast-growing Spackenkill School District. Construction began in 1970, and ended in 1973. The first class graduated in 1974.
Spackenkill is currently under construction; adding in a new elevator, science classrooms, conference rooms, and a black box theatre.
They are also adding new wings, windows, art rooms, and weight rooms and improving the library.

School Profile

Spackenkill is a four-year public school offering a strong college preparation program. Vocational programs are offered through Dutchess County BOCES.Spackenkills overall test average compared to other schools in New York from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) is 83 (+1.0 z-score) Thirteen Advanced Placement Courses are offered throughout the year. The school population is 565 with over 60 faculty members.
Spackenkill High School was named to Newsweek's list of the Best High Schools in America from 2008-2010.

Community

Spackenkill High School is located in a lower middle to a middle class suburb of Poughkeepsie, New York. The district is composed almost entirely of single-family dwellings. A large proportion of the district’s residents are well educated with a strong commitment to students and their education. One of the largest IBM Corporation facilities in the country is located within the district. Vassar College, Marist College and Dutchess Community College (DCC) are located within 10 miles of the high school.

Athletics

Spackenkill High School's teams are known as the Spartans. They play in Section IX of the NYSPHSAA, and are a class B school in most sports as of 2010.

In 2005, the Spackenkill Baseball team won their first state title.

In 2007, the Spackenkill Varsity soccer team won their first state title, after first reaching the finals in 2005.

The Spartan Golf team has won their division almost every year since 2000.

In 2011, the Spartan Football team won the Class B Section 9 title with a 7-1 record.

In 2011, the Spartan Boys Soccer team went undefeated in the regular season with a 14-0-1 record.

In 2011, the boys and girls soccer team, and the football team has made it to the section 9 finals.

Ethnic Statistics

Spackenkill High School Students by Ethnicity:

American Indian - 0

Asian - 98

Black - 238

Hispanic - 71

White - 324