On Newsweek’s list: all three Central District high schools

Newsweek recently published its annual list of America’s best public high schools, and all three Bellmore-Merrick high schools –– Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham –– made the top 500. According to the Census Bureau, there are some 24,000 public high schools across the United States.

Kennedy High School in Bellmore was 160th on the prestigious list; Mepham in North Bellmore, 260th; and Calhoun in North Merrick, 300th. Kennedy takes in students from central and south Bellmore and south Merrick.

All three Bellmore-Merrick high schools ranked among Long Island’s top 20 high schools, according to Newsweek. Kennedy was seventh; Mepham, 12th; and Calhoun, 13th. There are some 124 school districts across Long Island, each with one or more high schools.

To develop its list, Newsweek worked with the Maryland research firm Westat. Passing rates on state tests were examined first. Then the researchers looked at college readiness by examining SAT and ACT participation rates, college acceptances and the number of guidance counselors at each high school.

Kennedy Principal Lorraine Poppe said she was pleased to see Kennedy on the Newsweek list. “I’m thrilled for our students, staff and school community,” she said. “We continue to encourage all students to take the most challenging academic program available and to offer them the support they need to achieve at the highest level. This recognition demonstrates the strength of our program and the hard work of our students and staff.”

Poppe, however, noted that Newsweek’s formula to measure a high school’s success does not account for so much of what a school is all about. “Although the Newsweek list focuses on academic strength demonstrated through test results, it is important to realize that there are many other programs and activities that make a school truly special for all students,” she said.

At Kennedy, Poppe said, “We have wonderful programs in the areas of science research, computers, business, art, music and drama. The new culinary suite will give students the opportunity to study in a state-of-the-art kitchen, while other students focus on engineering courses in the newly designed classroom.

“Our sports program and after-school activities develop skills as well as sportsmanship and leadership,” she continued. “We constantly encourage service learning and community-service projects, so students realize the importance of ‘giving back’ and being an involved citizen. The majority of our seniors choose to participate in the Senior Experience Program each spring, learning about chosen fields through internships and volunteering in various community-service projects. In addition to the wide range of opportunities available for students, we pride ourselves on the relationships students develop with each other and with our staff. The Cougar Nation is filled with opportunities, lasting relationships and a high level of school spirit –– all working together to benefit our students.”
Kennedy’s culinary arts program is a magnet program open to all Central District high school students.

“I’m extremely proud that all three of our high schools” made the list, said John DeTommaso, the Central District superintendent. He noted, however, that “these lists don’t completely measure the greatness of our schools.”