Valley Stream North High School

Hello, we found a house we love and it is SD VS13 (North High School).

Does anyone know how this high school is? I heard bad things about the VS SD, not sure if it is just Memorial and Central or North as well.

Anyone know?

TIA

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Hmm, I think VSN is fine, you should look them up on schooldigger.com. My husband is a teacher at VSC and really loves the school and students there. We are also alumni. I think the HS in Valley Stream are all quite good at the moment; I would send my kids there. HTH!

Re: Valley Stream North High School

I'm kind of curious, what are the bad things you've heard?

Re: Valley Stream North High School

That's the district we recently bought our house in. It was ranked in the top H.S.'s on LI back in 2010/2011. We're in Malverne but in VS #13 going to Dever Elementary.

I THINK these are how the H.S. in the district rank:

V.S. South is the best of the district
North is next
Central is last but that doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. It's just how those 3 rank against each other in the district.

HTH

Valley Stream North High School

We are zoned for South, my SIL just graduated recently and it was fine. My brother went to Central and recently graduated and we thought it was fine too.

I haven't heard it being a bad distract. Maybe not the best, best in the area I believe is Hewlett SD.

Re: Valley Stream North High School

I moved out of that area over 10 years ago. I was born and raised in SD13. I would never buy in VS, sorry.

Valley Stream North High School

i subbed at that school for awhile, and it was also in my areas of do-not buy

sorry

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Re: Valley Stream North High School

My mom grew up in the Valley Stream North District. This high school is actually located in Franklin Square. I don't know much about the schools now; however I know the area is still very nice.

Franklin Square schools are also great..I grew up there

Also, I just happened to read this article today about Jim Breuer and how he grew up in Valley Stream....he went to Central.


Newsday Article


ETA: For those that couldn't read the full article; here it is:

'Saturday Night Live' alum Jim Breuer recalls Valley Stream upbringing


Q: Tell me what it was like growing up in Valley Stream.

A: I grew up Valley Stream until my parents moved to Florida when I was 20. I graduated from Valley Stream Central High School in 1985. It was the best childhood anyone could ever ask for. You’ll find 10 to 15 people packed at someone’s house for parties. It was a very tight community. I actually still want my kids to eventually grow up there. It was the era everyone knew each other. As a kid, we were outdoors as much as possible. Still to this day, I keep in touch with everyone who grew on that street, on Jefferson Avenue. I’m actually in the middle of writing a book about growing up on that street. It was a phenomenal time and when I look back on my life it’s one of the most cherished parts of my life. Every year, we would look forward to riding our bikes at the Village Green. I remember playing Little League at Firemen’s Field and watching fireworks there each year. We also used to hangout at Green Acres Mall all the time. We’d go to the movies at the multiplex. We loved going to the best pizza place, Ancona Pizzeria.


Q: Tell me how you got your start in stand-up comedy.

A: A year after my family moved to Florida, I moved back to Jefferson Avenue and lived with a friend and then I started my career in standup comedy. I lived on Long Island, but I’d go to the city every night. I also performed my first gig at a rock club called February's in Elmont. My high school friends played in a band and they asked me to introduce them and tell jokes and stories. I did stand-up comedy at Valley Stream Central and Governor’s in Levittown in 1985.

Q: Has it changed much from when you lived here?

A: The last time I visited Valley Stream was in June. Oh yeah, it’s changed a lot. When I drive around there I don’t see people out. The kids aren’t out on the street anymore like they used to be. The culture has changed a lot and different people have moved to the area.

Q: For those of us who have not read your first book, “I’m Not High,” what does it reveal about you?

A: It reveals a lot about growing up on Long Island and my childhood experiences. It’s about the real Jim Breuer and where I got my start. My father James, 89, worked for the village as a sanitation worker in Valley Stream for 30 years. The book states how I hold family more valuable than anything in the world. No matter how many times I was tempted with fame and vanity I always go back to Valley Stream, which was always about community and family.
Do any of your comedic skits come out of living in Valley Stream?
My older stuff goes back to living in Valley Stream. On the DVD “Hardcore,” half the material was about me growing up in Valley Stream. There’s a piece I talk about my dog Duffy and the bully of the neighborhood.

Q: What do you think is most attractive about Valley Stream?

A: I don’t know much about it now, but I know about it then. Like I said, if there was a map, or a way to write a book for a modern-day outline of the way good living was and the way it’s supposed to be, then take a look at Valley Stream. It’s the greatest place in the world to grow up.

Message edited 10/25/2012 2:06:49 PM.

Re: Valley Stream North High School

I live in FS...VS District #13.

Willow Road Elementary and VS North are EXCELLENT schools.

Last year, North graduated several students that went on to Ivy League schools...Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Georgetown to name a few.

While my oldest child is only in 5th grade, (and I really can't rave enough about Willow Road), I have MANY friends with children at North. They ABSOLUTELY love it.

Though the district name is Valley Stream, it is located in Franklin Square...and the most "desirable" part of FS at that.

FM me if you have any questions. I've been a resident here for 15 years.

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Posted by cindy104

My mom grew up in the Valley Stream North District. This high school is actually located in Franklin Square. I don't know much about the schools now; however I know the area is still very nice.

Franklin Square schools are also great..I grew up there

Also, I just happened to read this article today about Jim Breuer and how he grew up in Valley Stream....he went to Central.


Newsday Article


ETA: For those that couldn't read the full article; here it is:

'Saturday Night Live' alum Jim Breuer recalls Valley Stream upbringing


Q: Tell me what it was like growing up in Valley Stream.

A: I grew up Valley Stream until my parents moved to Florida when I was 20. I graduated from Valley Stream Central High School in 1985. It was the best childhood anyone could ever ask for. You’ll find 10 to 15 people packed at someone’s house for parties. It was a very tight community. I actually still want my kids to eventually grow up there. It was the era everyone knew each other. As a kid, we were outdoors as much as possible. Still to this day, I keep in touch with everyone who grew on that street, on Jefferson Avenue. I’m actually in the middle of writing a book about growing up on that street. It was a phenomenal time and when I look back on my life it’s one of the most cherished parts of my life. Every year, we would look forward to riding our bikes at the Village Green. I remember playing Little League at Firemen’s Field and watching fireworks there each year. We also used to hangout at Green Acres Mall all the time. We’d go to the movies at the multiplex. We loved going to the best pizza place, Ancona Pizzeria.


Q: Tell me how you got your start in stand-up comedy.

A: A year after my family moved to Florida, I moved back to Jefferson Avenue and lived with a friend and then I started my career in standup comedy. I lived on Long Island, but I’d go to the city every night. I also performed my first gig at a rock club called February's in Elmont. My high school friends played in a band and they asked me to introduce them and tell jokes and stories. I did stand-up comedy at Valley Stream Central and Governor’s in Levittown in 1985.

Q: Has it changed much from when you lived here?

A: The last time I visited Valley Stream was in June. Oh yeah, it’s changed a lot. When I drive around there I don’t see people out. The kids aren’t out on the street anymore like they used to be. The culture has changed a lot and different people have moved to the area.

Q: For those of us who have not read your first book, “I’m Not High,” what does it reveal about you?

A: It reveals a lot about growing up on Long Island and my childhood experiences. It’s about the real Jim Breuer and where I got my start. My father James, 89, worked for the village as a sanitation worker in Valley Stream for 30 years. The book states how I hold family more valuable than anything in the world. No matter how many times I was tempted with fame and vanity I always go back to Valley Stream, which was always about community and family.
Do any of your comedic skits come out of living in Valley Stream?
My older stuff goes back to living in Valley Stream. On the DVD “Hardcore,” half the material was about me growing up in Valley Stream. There’s a piece I talk about my dog Duffy and the bully of the neighborhood.

Q: What do you think is most attractive about Valley Stream?

A: I don’t know much about it now, but I know about it then. Like I said, if there was a map, or a way to write a book for a modern-day outline of the way good living was and the way it’s supposed to be, then take a look at Valley Stream. It’s the greatest place in the world to grow up.

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Re: Valley Stream North High School

These "is x school or x district 'good'"? threads always spark some controversy because opinions can vary widely on what is a "good" or "desirable" school. It's a very subjective thing -- what's good to one person may be "not good" for someone else and vice-versa. It also depends on what a person and their children most need/want -- Is it academics? Athletics? Special needs programs? Before and after care? Full day kindergarten? The arts? Small classes v. big? Diverse population or not?

As a realtor, I cannot offer opinions on whether certain districts or schools are good. But I always advise my clients to do their own research. The Newsday rankings offer very specific info on test scores, graduation rates, % going on to college, etc. Other sites, such as www.greatschools.org and www.schooldigger.com, offer objective info, as well as anecdotal evidence, such as parent reviews.

I also encourage people to check out school district websites, which provide a lot of valuable information and can give a good idea of school/community culture and atmosphere. If someone is seriously considering an area, they could always go visit the school(s) in person.

Talking to people who currently have kids in the schools could be helpful, too, but again, I would ask more specific questions, to make sure when someone gives positive or negative information, that they are placing importance on the same factors you are. But I would think you would want to get info from people with firsthand, current experience, rather than from people speaking from their experience 20 years ago or people who are basing their opinions on reputation/rumors.

Good luck!

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Message edited 5/15/2013 9:55:41 AM.

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Posted by LovesMike

It's disheartening to hear negative things about the town I grew up in, especially since my parents still live there, in what I consider a nice area - near the Lynbrook border, loosely referred to as the "Westwood" section, VS SD 13. The houses in this area are definitely affordable, but I think they have potential to draw young families just getting started, which is not a bad thing! Everyone says the area is "different" or has "changed" and I'm not comfortable with those euphemisms. It's a diverse area, but perhaps is not everyone's cup of tea. I don't think that Franklin Square is that different from VS, but maybe I'm mistaken. Not trying to , just figured I would offer my experience and perspective.

A lot of our friends and families have moved out to Suffolk since we graduated high school, and some have even made comments about having to "lock your doors" in VS . . . then to only get burglarized in their own home shortly thereafter. Things happen everywhere. JMO!

Good luck to you!

Re: Valley Stream North High School

We have family that go to VSN, lets just say they are counting down until the younger one is out of HS.
The area they live in is nice, but the school....

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Posted by LovesMike

It's disheartening to hear negative things about the town I grew up in, especially since my parents still live there, in what I consider a nice area - near the Lynbrook border, loosely referred to as the "Westwood" section, VS SD 13. The houses in this area are definitely affordable, but I think they have potential to draw young families just getting started, which is not a bad thing! Everyone says the area is "different" or has "changed" and I'm not comfortable with those euphemisms. It's a diverse area, but perhaps is not everyone's cup of tea. I don't think that Franklin Square is that different from VS, but maybe I'm mistaken. Not trying to , just figured I would offer my experience and perspective.

A lot of our friends and families have moved out to Suffolk since we graduated high school, and some have even made comments about having to "lock your doors" in VS . . . then to only get burglarized in their own home shortly thereafter. Things happen everywhere. JMO!

Good luck to you!

Message edited 10/25/2012 5:24:29 PM.

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Re: Valley Stream North High School

I <3 you Jen. lol I can always count on you to join me in these threads lol.



To the OP, one of the best things you can do is go outside of the school at dismissal and start talking to the parents. As well all opinions, take it as a grain of salt but that's where you'll get your best answers aside from the newsday and school testing sites.

On a side note, I'm surprised how many celebrities graduated from that school district. Steve Buscemi and a few others are from central also.

Message edited 10/25/2012 6:04:55 PM.

Re: Valley Stream North High School

Most of my family is from Franklin square and VS, and I still would never buy there. If they had the $ they would move out.

My godson goes to North and EVERY single week there is a street fight, and its not just fists anymore. One of my cousins sent their 2 sons to school there and when it was time for HS moved them to chaminade.

I would want someone to be honest with me. This is what I would do, drive by North at bell time.

Again, just my opinion !

Re: Valley Stream North High School