The Huntington School District has been ranked among the safest in the United States by Niche.com, which helps users who are looking to relocate find schools and neighborhoods.
Huntington was ranked No. 47 in New York out of 670 public school districts and in the top four percent nationally among more than 10,000 districts for student safety.
“The ranking genuinely comes as no surprise,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “Great kids, great staff and a supportive school community – an ideal recipe for an excellent environment in all of our buildings and for student success in all regards.”
When compiling its school safety ranking, Niche considered parent and student surveys on health and safety, per pupil expenditures, student absenteeism, in-school and out of school suspensions, expulsions, law enforcement referrals and school related arrests.
“Niche is a website that helps you discover the schools and neighborhoods that are right for you,” according to the organization. “We rigorously analyze dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews to produce comprehensive rankings, report cards, and profiles for every K-12 school, college, and neighborhood in the U.S. Niche has the most comprehensive data available on U.S. schools and neighborhoods. We’re constantly updating and connecting millions of data points to produce new rankings and insights. We have over 100 million reviews and poll responses along with transparent statistics and comparable grades to help you find the right school or neighborhood for you.”
Huntington High School was ranked No. 74 on the list of best public high schools in the state out of nearly 1,200 institutions and No. 64 for preparing students for college. It’s in the top 12 percent for diversity.
The Huntington School District traces its roots to 1657 when Jonas Houldsworth made a “covenant and agreement” to “school such persons or children as shall be put to him for that end by ye inhabitants,” according to the town archives. The first school building was erected in 1660.
The New York State Legislature authorized the formation of the Huntington Union Free School District in 1857 and the next year a new brick school house was completed. Algernon S. Higgins was hired to serve as the school’s first principal. Huntington graduated its first class of six students in 1862.