Commack School District

Last updated

Commack Union Free School District
Colorcommacklogofixed copy.gif
Location
Commack
Long Island
Suffolk County , New York
United States
Coordinates 40°52′00″N73°17′31″W / 40.8666°N 73.2920°W / 40.8666; -73.2920
District information
Type Public school district
Motto"Excellence in Education"
GradesKG-12
Established1899
SuperintendentJordan Cox
Schools9
Budget$214,645,326 (for 2022-2023) [1]
NCES District ID3608130 [2]
Students and staff
Students5,764 (as of 2020–2021) [2]
Teachers463.73 FTE (as of 2020–2021) [2]
Student–teacher ratio12.43%
District mascotCougars
Colors  
Gold and black
Other information
Website www.commack.k12.ny.us www.commackschools.org

Commack Union Free School District is a public school district located in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The district straddles the towns of Huntington and Smithtown, with Townline Road as the dividing line. It serves the vast majority of Commack as well as parts of Dix Hills and Hauppauge. [3] It served approximately 6,000 students during the 2018–2019 school year. [4] There are four primary schools (grades K–2), two intermediate schools (grades 3–5), one middle school (grades 6–8) and one high school (grades 9–12).

Contents

History

First Commack school district

The first ever predecessor to the modern Commack School District was originally formed in 1814, at a historic Commack building lost to time. Known at different points as the Woodhull Tavern or the Goldsmith Hotel, it burned to the ground in 1895. Today, there is a building in Commack also known as the Woodhull Tavern on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack. The first school in Commack was on Burr Road, and was there during the founding of the district in 1814. Burr Road was named for the Burr family, who would be major players in early Commack Schools history. The original Commack schoolhouse was moved behind the property of Caleb Smith after its closure in 1844, Caleb being a member of the Smith family who had founded Smithtown many years before. The district was reorganized in 1844, at this point the early district utilized two schools, North and South. The mistress of the North School was Minnie Van Brunt, the final Van Brunt to live the Van Brunt Mansion on Harned Road and also taught in the future district. The South School was located near the modern Commack Public Library, and both the South and North schools were used until the forming of the modern district in 1899. [5] [6] [7]

Formation and early history

The Commack School District was originally formed in 1899, through the combination of District #10 and District #18. Both districts had just a single schoolhouse, both of which also being just one room. They were separated by Jericho Turnpike, as District #10 served north of Jericho Turnpike and District #18 served south of Jericho Turnpike. The original name of the district was Comac School District #10, Comac being the spelling of the hamlet known as Commack today. Marion Carll, a major player in Commack history who had a school named after her and graduate of the South School, believes this is because of being repeatedly confused for Coram, and adding letters helped to differentiate the two. Carll would go on to be a treasurer, census taker, PTA president, and teacher in the district. The first school owned by the district was the Frame School, with the initial land purchase approved by the first Commack Board of Education. The three trustees on the first Board of Education of Commack were Carll S. Burr Jr. (who attended the North School), John C. Hubbs, and Herbert J. Harned. The Burr, Hubbs, and Harned families would all go on to be very impactful in the history of Commack and Commack schools. Carll S. Burr Jr. would purchase the original Commack school building used in the early 1800s from the Smith family in 1904. Burr Road is also named after the Burr family, and it is widely agreed upon that the Burrs were incredibly influential in the early development of the Commack community. The old Burr horse racing track is today the site of Commack High School. Harned Road, where the Van Brunt Mansion was located, is named after the Harned family. The current administration center is also named after a Hubbs. The Frame School was on Jericho Turnpike, and had two stories with one room on each. It was called the "Frame" school because of its wooden frame. The school served children grades 1-8, with one floor having students 1-4 and the other 5-8. Minnie Van Brunt, former mistress of the North School, became principal of the Frame School in 1907 and had already taught at the North and Frame school for many years. The Frame School served Commack until 1923. [6] [7]

History after initial formation and school

The Commack Grammar School was built in 1923, opened the following year, and was later named Turnpike School and finally the Marion E. Carll school in 1957. It served Commack for many years before it was purchased in 1973 by the New York Institute of Technology. The Frame School was sold to the Commack Hook and Ladder Company in 1924. for $5. The Commack Grammar School was the sole school in the district for 34 years. It had many new wings added to during its time serving Commack, along with having a library and auditorium. Grace L. Hubbs, who would also have a school named after her in the future, taught at the school for nearly 40 years. A member of the Harned family (Charles), who Harned Road is named after, also taught there. The former Marion E. Carll School building was demolished in 1990. In 1948, the district became "Union Free", meaning it could have a high school. However, the district was not yet permitted by the state to get one until the mid 1960s. A tremendous boom in population occurred due to events like World War II in the 1950s and 1960s. Commack went from just a single school until 1958 to 17 in 1966 just 8 years later. It became greatly urbanized during this time and there was a mix of farm and city people in Commack. The schools that opened in this time are: Winnecomac, Cedar Road, Green Fields, Wood Park, North Ridge, South Ridge, Old Farms, Circle Hill, Long Acres, Green Meadows Junior High, and Commack High School. All except for Commack High School and Green Meadows Junior High were K-6. Commack High School, North Ridge, and Wood Park are all still used by the district. When Commack High School opened, the senior class was initially sent to nearby Hauppauge High School for the 1962-1963 school year. Commack only served students up to grade 11 at the time. Other schools open at this time include the Townline School and Smith's Lane School. Indian Hollow, Grace L. Hubbs, Rolling Hills, Sagtikos, John F. Kennedy Junior High School, and Commack High School South all opened around the same time in the mid to late 1960s. Commack High School became Commack High School North and the district became a dual high school district. By the end of the decade, Commack was the largest district in the county second only to Brentwood. Burr and Sawmill Junior High Schools both opened in 1972, giving the district a total of 21 schools. John Mandracchia was the first principal of Sawmill, and today it bears his name. Commack's population would decline in the 1970s and 1980s, and the district had to start closing schools. First was the Marion E. Carll school. South Ridge, Smith's Lane, Green Meadows, Long Acres, Circle Hill, John F. Kennedy, Sagtikos, Green Fields, and Winnecomac were all closed between 1976 and 1983. Grace L. Hubbs also became the Administration Center of the district and closed for students. In this time, the district also reconfigured, taking on it's current form of four K-2 schools (Wood Park, Indian Hollow, Rolling Hills, and North Ridge) two 3-5 schools (Sawmill and Burr), one 6-8 Middle School, and one 9-12 high school (Commack High School). Cedar Road and Old Farms both closed to make way for this plan. This meant the closing of a high school, and also the combination of the staunch rivals of Commack North and Commack South, which happened in 1989. Commack High School North became Commack High School and Commack High School South became Commack Middle School. The configuration of the district has not changed since. [6] [7] [8]

Schools

Primary schools

The primary schools in the Commack School District are Indian Hollow, Rolling Hills, North Ridge, and Wood Park. They serve students in grades K–2. The school day for these schools last from around 9:20 AM to 3:20 PM although one should check with the specific schools for exact times. The students have one teacher throughout the day except for special classes like music, art, and physical education and special services like speech, physical, or occupational therapy.[ citation needed ]

Intermediate schools

The intermediate schools are Burr and Sawmill. They serve students in grades 3–5. Their school day is from 8:50 AM to 3:05 PM. The two buildings are identical in their structure and design. Both schools have at least ten clubs that meet while school is not in session. The children have one teacher for the whole day except for special classes like music, art and physical education. There are many special services available like Physical Speech and Occupational Therapy, social workers, psychologists and a gifted and talented program. There is also an English as a second language program. In fourth grade, the students begin to learn a musical instrument. They are given lessons once a week and participate in the school's band or orchestra. There is a chorus for students who are interested in singing. Each fifth grade class in both schools takes a two-day trip to Camp Mariah in Fishkill, NY towards the end of the year.[ citation needed ]

Middle school

The Commack Middle School serves students in grades 6–8. The school day lasts from 7:50 AM to 2:38 PM. Commack Middle School is the first school with multiple classes held in different rooms, unlike in the intermediate and primary schools. Each period is 41 minutes for the exception of 9th period (43 minutes). [9] The students have 9 periods per day, each with a different teacher. Each child is required to take Math, English, Science, Social Studies, a foreign language, and Physical Education all year for the entire three years. They are also required to take Art, Family and Consumer Science, Technology and Health for a quarter of each year. There are 65 clubs and 20 sports teams for students.[ citation needed ]

High school

The Commack High School serves students in grades 9–12. The school day lasts from 7:30 AM to 2:25 PM. The students have nine periods per day, each with a different teacher. The classes are forty minutes in length with 5 minutes of walking time in between them. Each student is required to meet the requirements for a New York State Regents diploma unless there are special circumstances. They are also required to complete 15 CSIP (Community Service Involvement Program) credits their first three years and 20 their senior year. These can be fulfilled by participating in sports and clubs or by doing volunteer work inside or out of school. Commack High School is an International Baccalaureate School, and students pursuing an IB diploma are subject to a more stringent set of requirements. As of 2018, there were 15 honor societies, 52 clubs and 21 sports teams for students. [10]

As of the 2019-2020 school year, the total enrollment was 2,187 students and 168 teachers. The student-to-teacher ratio was 13:1. [11]

In 2012, U.S. News & World Report ranked Commack High School the best high school in Suffolk County, the third best on Long Island, the 18th best in New York state, and the 95th best in the country. [12] As of 2018, Commack High School was unranked in New York State.[ citation needed ]

In 2024, Commack's Board of Education allowed for the reopening of the Cedar Road School as a school for students, after serving as strictly the Commack School District's special education administration offices for a few years. It completed its first school year as a school offering an alternative way to experience high school and earn a Commack High School Diploma without having to go to the school in the 2024-25 school year. It primarily serves students (grades 9-12) who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and avoiding school. [13] [14]


List of current and former schools

List of current and former schools within the Commack Union Free School District
School nameCurrent typeGeographyFormer nameFormer typeYear openedYear closedBuilding statusDisposition
Current schools
Commack High School High schoolNorthCommack High School NorthN/A1962N/AActiveN/A
Commack Middle School Middle schoolSouthCommack High School SouthHigh school1968N/AActiveN/A
Burr Intermediate School Intermediate schoolNorthBurr Junior High SchoolMiddle school1972N/AActiveN/A
John Mandracchia Sawmill Intermediate School Intermediate schoolSouthJohn Mandracchia Sawmill Junior High SchoolMiddle school1972N/AActiveN/A
Indian Hollow Primary School Primary schoolNorthIndian Hollow SchoolElementary school1964N/AActiveN/A
North Ridge Primary School Primary schoolNorthNorth Ridge Elementary SchoolElementary school1962N/AActiveN/A
Rolling Hills Primary School Primary schoolSouthRolling Hills SchoolElementary school1965N/AActiveN/A
Wood Park Primary School Primary schoolSouthWood Park SchoolElementary school1961N/AActiveN/A
Hubbs Administration CenterAdministrative buildingNorthGrace L. Hubbs SchoolElementary school19641976RepurposedNow Hubbs Administration Center
Cedar Road School Alternative High schoolNorthCedar Road SchoolElementary school2024N/AActiveN/A
Former schools
Greenmeadows Junior High SchoolClosedSouthN/AJunior high school19631979SoldSold to Suffolk Jewish Community Center
John F. Kennedy Junior High SchoolClosedNorthN/AJunior high school19641981DemolishedLand sold and demolished. Now Longmeadow Estates.
Cedar Road SchoolClosedNorthN/AElementary school19601988LeasedLeased to AHRC and Commack Special Services Corp. Later reopened in 2024.
Circle Hill SchoolClosedNorthN/AElementary school19631981DemolishedLand sold and demolished. Now housing developments.
Green Fields SchoolClosedSouthN/AElementary school19611982SoldSold to WM/YWHA
Grace L. Hubbs SchoolAdministrative buildingNorthN/AElementary school19641976RepurposedNow Hubbs Administration Center
Long Acres SchoolClosedNorthN/AElementary school19631980LeasedLeased to Kiddie Care Early Learning Center
Marion Carll SchoolClosedSouthN/AElementary school19241974DemolishedSold to NY Tech; since demolished
Old Farms SchoolClosedSouthN/AElementary school19631988LeasedLeased to Suffolk Day Care Center
Sagtikos SchoolClosedSouthN/AElementary school19651981LeasedNow Building Blocks Preschool
Smith's Lane SchoolClosedSouthN/AElementary school19581979LeasedLeased to UCP
South Ridge SchoolClosedSouthN/AElementary school19631976DemolishedBurned, demolished and land sold to homes
Winnicomac SchoolClosedNorthN/AElementary school19581983SoldNow Sappo Intermediate School and Tree of Life Preschool

Board of Education

Commack Board of Education 2024–2025 [15]
PositionName
PresidentJustin Varughese
Vice PresidentSteven Hartman
TrusteeWilliam Hender
TrusteeSusan Hermer
TrusteeGus Hueber

Academics

Commack Middle School was awarded first place in the Long Island Regional Middle School Science Bowl academic competition at Brookhaven National Laboratory on April 14, 2007, [16] and went on to take seventh place in the academic competition in the National Middle School Science Bowl that same year. The Commack Middle School also won the Long Island Regional Middle School Science Bowl in March 2012, [17] March of 2014, [18] and March 2016. [19]

Commack High School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon school of excellence in 2021. [20]

The Suffolk County Reading Council has recognized the Commack School District's elementary schools for their achievements in the area of literacy. [21]

Athletics

Cougarettes Kickline

The Commack High School Cougarettes are one of the most accomplished kicklines in the country. They have won 28 titles across several divisions. This includes many titles in the 1990s (including in 1997, where they also won Long Island), winning both the medium and large varsity kick divisions in 2013, four straight NDA large varsity kick titles in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 and three in those four years in NDA medium varsity kick. After their 2024 win they were invited to the Suffolk County Legislature along with Commack High School Bowling. They participate in events such as Jazz, Pom-Pom, Team Performance, and Hip-Hop. [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]

Commack Baseball

The Commack High School baseball team won four straight Suffolk County titles from 2021 to 2024, including Long Island Championships in 2021, 2023, and 2024. They also won Suffolk County in 1965, 1997, and 2017. Commack High School South won Suffolk County in 1973 and 1977, and Long Island in 1977. Commack High School North won Suffolk County in 1984. [29] [30]

Demographics

The tables below describe the school district's demographic data for the last three school years that have been made available by the New York State Education Department. [4]

Enrollment by gender [4]
GenderNumber of students (2018–2019)Number of students (2019–2020)Number of students (2020–2021)
Female2,882 (48%)2,857 (49%)2,782 (49%)
Male3,099 (52%)3,018 (51%)2,937 (51%)
Enrollment by ethnicity [4]
EthnicityNumber of students (2018–2019)Number of students (2019–2020)Number of students (2020–2021)
American Indian or Alaska Native10 (0%)13 (0%)13 (0%)
Black or African American72 (1%)91 (2%)105 (2%)
Hispanic or Latino524 (9%)582 (10%)604 (11%)
Asian or Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander532 (9%)563 (10%)592 (10%)
White4,727 (79%)4,508 (77%)4,277 (75%)
Multiracial116 (2%)118 (2%)128 (2%)
Other groups [4]
TitleNumber of students (2018–2019)Number of students (2019–2020)Number of students (2020–2021)
English language learners65 (1%)76 (1%)81 (1%)
Students with disabilities1,089 (18%)1,029 (18%)1,030 (18%)
Economically disadvantaged781 (13%)755 (13%)750 (13%)
Migrant---
Homeless10 (0%)11 (0%)6 (0%)
Foster care---
Parent in armed forces---

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ "School budgets pass, majority of incumbents retain seats throughout town". tbrnewsmedia.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Search for Public School Districts - District Detail for Commack Union Free School District". nces.ed.gov.
  3. ↑ Geography Division (January 12, 2021). 2020 census - school district reference map: Suffolk County, NY (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 4 (PDF p. 5/6). Retrieved September 5, 2025. - Text list
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "2019 | COMMACK UFSD - Enrollment Data | NYSED Data Site". data.nysed.gov. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Harris, Bradley (2000), Commack Public Education 100 Years 1899-1999 (PDF), Union Free School District #10, retrieved October 2, 2025
  7. 1 2 3 Egan, Rita J. (June 14, 2011). "Commack History: District Changes Amongst Fluctuating Enrollment". Commack, NY Patch. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Commack Students Will Have Full-Time Education For 62-'63". The Long-Islander. August 16, 1962. sec. 4, p. 2. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Commack Middle School 2021-2022 Bell Schedule" (PDF). Commack School District. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Parent-Student Handbook 2014-2015 Commack High School" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Congratulations To Commack High School". NY State Senate. May 10, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Cedar Road School". Commack School District.
  14. ↑ "Commack's 9th 'Official' School Will Serve Special Needs Students". Patch.
  15. ↑ "Board of Education". www.commackschools.org. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Commack Middle School Wins Science Bowl at Brookhaven Lab".
  17. ↑ "Commack Middle School Wins Regional Science Bowl".
  18. ↑ "Commack Middle School Wins Top Honors at Brookhaven Lab's Regional Middle School Science Bowl".
  19. ↑ "Commack Middle School Wins Top Honors at Brookhaven Lab's Regional Middle School Science Bowl".
  20. ↑ "Commack High School Recognized as National Blue Ribbon School".
  21. ↑ "English Department Highlights".
  22. ↑ "Commack High School's Cougarettes are 28-time national champions - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  23. ↑ SCHOOL, COMMACK HIGH. "COMMACK HIGH SCHOOL". chs.commack.k12.ny.us. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Commack Kickline Cougarettes | TBR News Media". May 13, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
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  28. ↑ NDA National Championship (PDF), National Dance Alliance, retrieved October 2, 2025
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  30. ↑ LaMonica, Mark (October 4, 2025). "Long Island high school baseball champions". Newsday. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
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