Best Public Schools in Riverhead, NY

The Riverhead Central School District in Riverhead, New York, consists of 6 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools, serving students from grades K-12. The district faces significant academic challenges, with most schools underperforming compared to state averages on key metrics such as test scores and graduation rates.

Among the standout schools, Riverhead Senior High School has the highest enrollment and relatively strong graduation and dropout rates, but its test scores are mixed, with some subjects performing above the district and state, while others are below. In contrast, Riverhead Middle School has the lowest statewide ranking and significantly underperforms the district and state averages across all subjects. Pulaski Street Elementary School stands out as the highest-performing elementary school, but its test scores are still below the district and state averages.

The district-wide data reveals several key challenges, including low graduation rates, high dropout rates, and consistently underperforming test scores compared to state averages. Additionally, the schools serve a high percentage of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with free and reduced-price lunch rates ranging from 47.55% to 51.68%. While the district's spending per student is relatively high, the academic performance has remained stagnant or even declined in recent years, indicating a need for more targeted interventions and support to improve outcomes for all students in the Riverhead Central School District.