Medford School Districts

[maryg]

I am looking for a home in the medford area. Don't know too much about the area except that we visited someone's home there and like it. I have reviewed a lot of information regarding school district statistic but it's never quite the same until you perhaps hear from other parents whose children go to those districts. There is Patchogue-Medford, Longwood, and one more. Also if anyone has insights of areas to avoid please respond. I never trust the realtors...ha! They are always telling people false information just to sell as quickly as possible. Thanks, Mary

[hrtlessbabe]

My fiancee used to be a state trooper(he knows all the in and out in long island)...I asked him about Medford school district, hes said the school district is not that great.

[Kathleen]

I am looking for a home in the medford area. Don't know too much about the area except that we visited someone's home there and like it. I have reviewed a lot of information regarding school district statistic but it's never quite the same until you perhaps hear from other parents whose children go to those districts. There is Patchogue-Medford, Longwood, and one more. Also if anyone has insights of areas to avoid please respond. I never trust the realtors...ha! They are always telling people false information just to sell as quickly as possible. Thanks, Mary


Hi Mary. I have lived in the Patchogue Medford School District for 17 years. I currently have all 4 of my children enrolled in the district. You have picked a very bad time to consider moving into this district! We have had our budget fail twice. As a punishment to the taxpayers of this district all of our sports, art and music programs have been eliminated. In addition to all this we have had all after school activities and clubs taken away. There have been teachers let go and class sizes will increase. We are currently the only district on Long Island without a sports program for grades 7-12. Our new superintendent threatened to take away kindergarten from our district. That didn't go over very well so he so graciously decided to keep it. Keep in mind that the man makes over $200,000 a year and we give him a car to use. The board of education is another joke. We have our own little soap opera going on here. There are board members that are really trying to work for the kids but there are some that need to step down and won't. I am a former teacher and I like the elementary school and the middle school my children attend. I think that most of the teachers are good. The high school is another horror. My oldest just completed her first year there and my second one will start there in Sept. The school is huge (about 3000 kids.) If I could move I would but my kids are at the point where it would be too upsetting for them to leave their friends. I still have one in middle school and one in elementary school. I can tell you that Longwood School District is very large and incorporates a few towns. My best friend lives there. It is not known for being a very good district. The other district you may be thinking about might be South Country. That is also another district that has a few towns in it. My sister lives in Medford and her kids go to school there. The schools are quite a distance from Medford. My sisters' kids go to school all the way in Bellport. The district isn't known for being the best. I would recommend Pat Med over South Country. Patchogue and Medford are still nice places to raise a family though. The areas are changing and we have a lot of illegal housing here especially in Patchogue with illegal immigrants living in them. I hope that I have been of some help and haven't scared you off! Good luck! Kathleen :flower1:

[hrtlessbabe]

I live in the three village school disctrict- its great
taxes for the houses is abit high.

[Bella]

I am looking for a home in the medford area. Don't know too much about the area except that we visited someone's home there and like it. I have reviewed a lot of information regarding school district statistic but it's never quite the same until you perhaps hear from other parents whose children go to those districts. There is Patchogue-Medford, Longwood, and one more. Also if anyone has insights of areas to avoid please respond. I never trust the realtors...ha! They are always telling people false information just to sell as quickly as possible. Thanks, Mary

I'm new to the area and I have heard many good things about the school district, and now I have a new outlook. We are in the process of purchasing a condo in the Medford area and I was under the impression that this was a great place. I'm confused and I think I may have made a bad decision. My daughter is in the fourth and my son is in the 10th. mary, have you found any new info?
Take Care Bella

[oneday4meplz]

Bella, Where is your condo? What schools are your kids zoned for? Pat-Med has 6 elementary, 3 middle and 1 high school. It is obvious that since there are six elementary schools that educate the result is a high population high school.

As previously mentioned in another post, you could live in Medford and wind-up in the South Country or Longwood school district. That's why I'm asking where your children are zoned to go. I can fill you in on the Pat-Med schools and about life in Medford if you first tell me where abouts you are.

Kathy :wave:

[Bella]

Hi Kathy,

Thank you for your response, I live in the Blur Ridge Condos and I called the school district and they said that my daughter is zoned for Eagle Elementry and my son Medford High. I'm very worried about this and I hope it all turns out for the best. I love the complex, it is a great place to live if you have children but I have heard horror stories about the schools. Any info would be appreciated.

Take Care
Bella:sunny:

[oneday4meplz]

Hi Bella,
O.K. First, don't let the post from Kathleen scare you to death. It is not a bad time to move to Medford. Yes, the school district is under a lot of stress due to the failure of passing a budget. But.... many school districts did not have their budget pass the first or second time. All of Long Island is undergoing major changes and this seems to be a time of a tax revolution. Real estate taxes are soaring and there seems to be no end in sight. People are afraid and do not trust their representatives. The Roslyn school districts fiasco has everyone seeing red and forcing people to voice their concerns. That voice has been heard loud and clear and as a result the NO vote was cast by the majority time after time.
If you haven't heard, our school board is under the microscope and every move they make they will have to account for. There is a lot of bickering between board members and it seems past boards have seriously mismanaged funds. As a result we are in a bit of a mess now.....but, it shall pass.

Now for the good news. Medford is a wonderful community that cares deeply about our children. Yes, the sports program was cut but due the quick action of some very concerned dedicated parents....IT"S BACK! At least for the fall and the winter season is now being worked on by fundraising events and private contributions by residents and businesses. Please go to the wonderful site which was created by parents in response to the fiscal crisis: http://www.pat-medboosterclub.org (http://www.pat-medboosterclub.org/)
Your 4th grader will love Eagle Elelmentary! My neice and nephew went there and came out with a very positive strong elementary education. So did so many other children that I know personally. The principal there is wonderful. She is very approchable and very hands on. You will love her. I stongly suggust you take her to the school on Tuesday before the first day of school to look around the building and meet the staff. They welcome that sort of visit and will be very accomadating.
What can I say about the H.S.? Yes, it is big...very big. The building addition including a brand new state of the art gymnasium and the new multisport field is spectacular. The best there is on Long Island. We are the model that all other districts will and do aspire to. My son will be entering the ninth grade in Sept and he and I are looking foward to all the challenges and oppurtunites that he will be exposed to. All of my friends and relatives have assured me that although the school is large they manage to break it up in a way that the kids still get the individual attention that they need. Kids make new friends and many great times await them. The teaching staff for the most part is dedicated and excellent. I believe your son will be very happy in his new school. I would also bring him for a look around before school starts. It will help eleviate the anxiety he might feel. By the way, a booster fund has also been formed to supplement the arts, music and all extraciricular activities. I have had trouble getting into that site but I will pass on that info to you once I get it straight.
Trust me, you have made a very wise move. I hear the condo complex that you will be moving into is awesome. A truly great investment. So in closing... be positive and pass that on to your kids. If they see you being apprehensive and frightful, they to will feel that way. Help them to make the educational opportunites that they will be exposed to work for them through your support and dedication. If I can answer any other questions for you please don't hesitate to ask.
Kathy

[Bella]

Good Morning Kathy,

Thank you so much for your warm reply, I feel good knowing another Mother feels so strong about where our children are going to school. My son has been in the school band since 6th grade and hopefully he can be here as well. I would like to be involved with the booster and in any fundraising for the music and arts dept. Any information please pass it on.. You have a 9th grader, possibly we can introduce them? Have a wonderful weekend and please email me directly.

Warmest Regards,
Bella

[Kathleen]

Kathy I just wanted to let you know that there are 7 elementary schools in the Pat/Med school district not 6. I wasn't trying to scare anyone off. I was just letting the woman know the truth about what is going on. That is what she asked for. I never said it was a bad place to live. The truth be known though the high school isn't as wonderful as you have made it out to be. Any district that wants to copy the way ours is must be in sad shape. I think it is too big to service the needs of the students in a personal, nurturing and warm manner. There are too many students. They will never have that sense of community in their school. I grew up in Commack. We had two high schools and it worked out well. We would have benefited from another high school being built instead of creating the monster size of this one. We also have the worse principal that anyone could ask for. I had one very bad experience with him. The man abuses his position. I have filed a formal complaint against him with the district that will never go anywhere. We will continue to pay him just like we will continue to overpay the superintendent. I think that on a whole the Pat/Med district is just as good as most on the island. Our children will receive decent educations but it could be better. My three older children are all honor students. I think that says something good about the district. My youngest is only 6. We hope that she has the same kind of educational opportunities that her siblings have had. We as taxpayers really have no pull or say. The teachers' union and the administration are the ones who make all the rules and will just have to accept them. I have 4 children in this district. This will be our 12th year that we have been dealing with them. The middle schools (at least South Ocean) and the elementary schools(at least Medford) have been very good to my children. Kathy:flower:

[Kathleen]

Bella, I wish you and your children luck in your new home and new schools. They will adjust quickly just as most children do to new schools. I also will have a 9th grader starting in the HS next month. Your son is actually in a good position because the school is so big he will be like many other kids. They will have to all make new friends because their old friends most likely won't be in any of their classes. My oldest daughter is going into 11th grade. Last year the 9th and 10th graders in our district both started in the HS because the addition was completed. My daughter made many new friends because most of her old friends weren't in any of her classes. Now she had a lot of friends! My 9th grader is a girl. I can help you out if you would like any information about other things in the area. I have 3 girls and 1 boy so we know all about dance, sports, etc. I would be happy to help you get acquainted with your new town. Kathleen:cheer2:

[oneday4meplz]

Kathy, Hi, Opps, I miscounted. Yes, there are 7 elementary schools. Thanks for the correction. Truthfully, when it comes to the high school I can not personally draw any conculsions. I am sorry you had such a bad experience with the principal. I can understand your fustration. As mentioned, my son will enter the ninth grade and hopefully he will have a positive experience.I agree with you when you say that Pat-Med is about the same as any other school district on the Island. I strongley believe that it is what you put into it. On a wing and a prayer hopefully all our children will meet their expections and they will make the most of what is being offered.
Just to make myself clear, when I said we are what all other schools aspire to, I was strictly speaking about our multi sport athletic field. It is certainly to be admired and what every other school on the east coast could only wish for. That doesn't mean I condone the bonds issued or the funds spent to build it. I am simply stating a fact. I hope I can also meet you one day Kathleen, perhaps during one of the may fundraisers in our future. I hope that our community will come out in great numbers and pass the next budget so we don't have to go through austerity again. It's the pits I'm sure you would agree. Have a great weekend and God Bless you and your faimily.
Kathy