Niche released its 2025 Best School Districts in New York list, featuring several Long Island districts among the top 50.
Niche is a platform known for its comprehensive and data-driven evaluations of K-12 schools. As colleges continue to embrace test-optional admissions policies, Niche followed suit by removing SAT/ACT-related factors from its rankings. The result is a broader and more nuanced evaluation of what makes a school district stand out, focusing on aspects like teacher quality, extracurricular opportunities and community engagement.
No. 1: East Williston School District
Niche gave the East Williston School District an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A in clubs and activities, B+ in sports, A in resource and facilities, B in diversity, A+ in college prep, A- in administration and an A in food.
“East Williston Union Free School District is a top rated, public school district located in Old Westbury, NY,” according to Niche.com. “It has 1,609 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. According to state test scores, 88 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 85 percent in reading.”
The district declined to comment on the rating.
No. 2: Syosset Central School District
Niche gave the Syosset Central School District an overall A+ rating. The district received an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A+ in clubs and activities, A- in sports, A in resource and facilities, B in diversity, A+ in college prep, A+ in administration and an A- in food.
“Syosset Central School District is a top rated, public school district located in Syosset, NY,” Niche.com said. “It has 6,938 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 87 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 78 percent in reading.”
No. 3: Jericho Union Free School District
Niche gave the Jericho Union Free School District an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A in clubs and activities, B+ in sports, B+ in resource and facilities, B- in diversity, A+ in college prep, A+ in administration and an A in food.
“Jericho Union Free School District is a top rated, public school district located in Jerhico, NY,” according to Niche.com. “It has 3,236 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 88 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 88 percent in reading.
”This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of our outstanding staff, students, families, and the community,” Hank Grishman, superintendent of the Jericho School District, said. “We will continue striving for excellence, ensuring that every student in our district has the opportunity to thrive.”
No. 4: Roslyn Union Free School District
Niche gave the Roslyn Union Free School District an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A in clubs and activities, B in sports, A in resource and facilities, B in diversity, A+ in college prep, A+ in administration and an A in food.
“Roslyn Union Free School District is a top rated, public school district located in Roslyn, NY,” stated on Niche.com. “It has 3,301 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 81 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 75 percent in reading.”
No. 6: Great Neck Public Schools
Niche gave Great Neck Public Schools an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A in clubs and activities, B- in sports, A- in resource and facilities, B+ in diversity, A+ in college prep, A+ in administration and an A- in food.
“Great Neck Public Schools is a top rated, public school district located in Great Neck, NY,” Niche.com said. “It has 6,836 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 84 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 81 percent in reading.”
No. 9: Herricks Union Free School District
Niche gave the Herricks Union Free School District an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A in clubs and activities, C- in sports, A in resource and facilities, B in diversity, A+ in college prep, A+ in administration and an A+ in food.
“Herricks Union Free School District is a top rated, public school district located in New Hyde Park, NY,” Niche.com said. “It has 4,258 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 86 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 83 percent in reading.”
No. 16: Manhasset Union Free School District
Niche gave the Manhasset Union Free School District an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A- in clubs and activities, A in sports, C+ in resource and facilities, B- in diversity, A+ in college prep, A- in administration and an A in food.
“Manhasset Union Free School District is a top rated, public school district located in Manhasset, NY,” Niche.com said. “It has 3,021 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 84 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 83 percent in reading.”
No. 17: North Shore Central School District
Niche gave the North Shore Central School District an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A in clubs and activities, A- in sports, A in resource and facilities, B- in diversity, A+ in college prep, A+ in administration and an A+ in food.
North Shore Central School District is a top rated, public school district located in Sea Cliff, NY,” according to Niche.com. “It has 2,572 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. According to state test scores, 85 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 80 percent in reading.”
No. 24: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District
Niche gave the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A in clubs and activities, B- in sports, A- in resource and facilities, B in diversity, A+ in college prep, A in administration and a B+ in food.
“Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District is a top rated, public school district located in Plainview, NY,” Niche.com said. “It has 5,245 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. According to state test scores, 84 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 74 percent in reading.”
No. 30: Port Washington Union Free School District
Niche gave the Port Washington Union Free School District an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A+ in academics, A+ in teachers, A in clubs and activities, B+ in sports, A- in resource and facilities, B in diversity, A+ in college prep, A- in administration and a B in food.
Port Washington Union Free School District is a top rated, public school district located in Port Washington, NY,” Niche.com said. “It has 5,294 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 75 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 66 percent in reading.”
No. 42: Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District
Niche gave the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District an overall A+ rating. It gave the district an A in academics, A+ in teachers, A in clubs and activities, B in sports, B in resource and facilities, B+ in diversity, A in college prep, A+ in administration and an A+ in food.
“Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District is a top rated, public school district located in Oyster Bay, NY,” Niche.com said. “It has 1,431 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. According to state test scores, 59 percent of students are at least proficient in math and 63 percent in reading.”
“OBEN’s strong performance in categories beyond academics is clear, as it ranks no. 27 out of 609 districts in New York for having the best teachers and no. 156 out of 11,116 districts nationwide,” the Oyster Bay-East Norwich district said in a press release. “This recognition highlights the district’s commitment to nurturing a supportive and enriching environment for both students and staff.”
