Monday, November 10, 2025
General Douglas MacArthur High School in Levittown has once again been ranked among the nation’s best schools by U.S. News & World Report — recognizing it for academic excellence and commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success.
In the publication’s August rankings, MacArthur placed No. 117 among New York’s high schools and No. 1,185 nationally, putting it in the top tier of the 18,000 public high schools evaluated nationwide by U.S. News annually. According to the Levittown school district, the ranking reflects student achievement that exceeds expectations and highlights the strong support systems and wide range of opportunities offered across its schools.
The district’s other high school, Division Avenue, also earned a spot in the rankings, placing No. 200 in New York.
"We are incredibly proud that both Division and MacArthur have been recognized among the 'Best High Schools' by U.S. News & World Report,” Levittown Superintendent Todd Winch said in a news release. “Their rankings reflect the unwavering dedication of our educators, staff and families who work together every day to support our students’ success.”
MacArthur Principal Joseph Sheehan said he was “extremely pleased” with the accomplishment, noting it marks the second consecutive year U.S. News has singled out Levittown schools for distinction.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor and is a true testament to the dedication of our students, the passion of our faculty and the steadfast support of our Board of Education, central office and parent community,” Sheehan said. “We pride ourselves on teamwork and positivity, which is the driving force of our commitment to success.”
The district credited MacArthur’s recognition to strong student participation in Advanced Placement courses, high performance on state exams, strong graduation rates and career readiness. Sheehan noted the school offers more than 20 AP classes and about 30 courses for college credit, praising administrators and staff for their efforts and adding that the achievement “would not have been possible without dynamic students.”
Levittown students are offered a range of career-focused courses, including Future Teachers, College Real Estate, and college-level anatomy and physiology. The real estate course, Sheehan noted, introduces students to topics such as interest rates and property values, helping prepare them for potential careers in the field.
Students are also required to take a financial literacy course, which prepares them for life after high school by teaching practical skills such as balancing a checkbook, understanding credit ratings, and managing 401(k) accounts.
The district also credited its postsecondary fairs for contributing to the recognition. Held several times a year, the events give students a look at opportunities after graduation. Sheehan said the fairs not only feature colleges from across the country, but also representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, Nassau County Police Department, local carpenters’ unions and the U.S. military — making them more than just college fairs by showcasing a wide range of vocational careers.
Sheehan said the recognition is a team effort, from high-achieving students to the PTAs. He added that strong community support also has played a role, contributing to the school’s continued success.
“The support that they give us is second to none,” Sheehan said. “They're paramount to our success as well. Our parents are our teammates. It's that simple. The support we get from them is immense, and it's so rewarding.”
Looking ahead, Sheehan said he hopes to maintain the school’s strong work ethic and close partnership with parents. He added that MacArthur is continuously exploring innovative courses, particularly in technology, including the use of Magic School, an artificial intelligence tool that helps students learn to use AI responsibly while also assisting teachers with lesson planning and preparation.
“We're always looking for different things, especially in the world of technology and so forth,” Sheehan said. “We're always looking for different avenues to explore so we could give our students the best advantage that they can have.”
