Massapequa High School Named National Blue Ribbon School

Five Long Island high schools, including Bayport-Blue Point, were among the 342 nationwide to be named National Blue Ribbon Schools on Thursday.

“The honor both validated the positive, empowering work our students and educators demonstrate each day,” Principal Patrick DiClemente said. “We appreciate the acknowledgement of the positive, safe, dynamic culture of our school, our students’ outstanding academic performance and graduation rate, our social
awareness and service-learning efforts, the diligent professional work of all of our staff, and the supportive contributions and investment of our families and the entire community.”

Massapequa High School, with an enrollment of approximately 1,700 students in 10th through 12th grades, has an extensive academic program in which students have opportunities to challenge themselves with higher-level coursework and explore their passions through a vast array of electives.

The school offers more than two dozen Advanced Placement courses, six world languages, robotics and
engineering courses, science research, vocal and instrumental musical ensembles and much more.

In the Class of 2017, 98 percent of seniors earned a Regents Diploma or higher and 68.5 percent earned a Regents Diploma with Advanced Distinction.

The most recent graduates are attending 147 colleges across 27 states including prestigious institutions such as Cornell University, New York University, Penn State, Syracuse University and the U.S. Military Academy.

“The Blue Ribbon award should be shared by all in the Massapequa School District, as the success of our high school students can be attributed to the fine education they receive from the moment they enter our outstanding public schools,” Superintendent Lucille F. Iconis said. “This honor is just further proof that we have exemplary programs, talented and dedicated educators, and students who strive to be the best.”

The other local schools to make the list are:

• Bayport-Blue Point High School
• Garden City High School
• Herricks High School
• Earl L. Vandermeulen High School
• Massapequa High School

The five high schools were among 13 public schools in New York to receive the honor.

"National Blue Ribbon Schools are active demonstrations of preparing every child for a bright future," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a press release. "You are visionaries, innovators and leaders. You have much to teach us: some of you personalize student learning, others engage parents and communities in the work and life of your local schools and still others develop strong and forward-thinking leaders from among your teaching staff."

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap.

Now in its 35th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed recognition on more than 8,500 schools.

On Nov. 6 and 7, DeVos and the Department of Education will celebrate with these honorees at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education.

Last year, two Long Island schools – Harborfields High School in Greenlawn and Syosset High School in Syosset– earned the Blue Ribbon distinction.

Photo Caption: Superintendent Lucille Iconis (left), social studies teacher Vincent Garone and Principal Patrick DiClemente (right) along with Massapequa High School students celebrated the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence announcement by the U.S. Department of Education.

Photo courtesy of Massapequa School District