2025-26 Long Island School District Rankings: What Home Buyers Should Know

🏫 2025–2026 Long Island School District Rankings: What Homebuyers Should Know

By Kyle Cheng - 10/09/2025
(Sources: Niche.com, Newsday, Greater Long Island)

📍 Why I’m Sharing This

When families begin their home search, one topic always rises to the top of the list: schools.

As someone who works directly with buyers and sellers across Long Island, I know that the quality of a local school district often drives not only where people choose to live, but also how property values evolve over time.

That’s why I consider it part of my duty to share accurate, up-to-date information about the schools and communities I serve.

Recently, Niche.com released its 2025–2026 “Best School Districts in New York” rankings, and once again, Long Island dominated the list. These rankings have been reported by Newsday and Greater Long Island, and they reflect Niche’s independent analysis NOT my personal opinions.

According to Niche’s 2025–2026 Best School Districts report, 13 of New York State’s top 20 school districts are right here on Long Island.

Here’s the full list, along with their state rankings:

Rank in NY    School District    Notes
1    Syosset Central School District    Also ranked among the top two in the U.S.
2    Roslyn Union Free School District    Strong performance across academics and college prep
3    Half Hollow Hills Central School District    Consistent top performer in Suffolk County
4    Jericho Union Free School District    Frequently ranked Top 10–15 nationally
6    Great Neck Public Schools    High marks in diversity and academic achievement
7    Manhasset Union Free School District    Known for exceptional academic programs
8    East Williston Union Free School District    Small district, strong college readiness scores
9    Bethpage Union Free School District    High community engagement and extracurricular options
10    Hewlett-Woodmere Union Free School District    Noted for student-teacher collaboration
11    Herricks Union Free School District    High test scores and college prep rates
14    Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District    Large district with broad academic offerings
16    Three Village Central School District    Suffolk County standout with strong STEM programs
18    Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District    Excellent student outcomes and support systems

Source: Niche.com – 2025–2026 Best School Districts in New York, as reported by Newsday and Greater Long Island.

🌎 Long Island’s National Standouts

While many Long Island districts perform exceptionally well within New York State, a few also shine on the national level:

Syosset Central School District ranks among the top two school districts in the entire United States.

Jericho Union Free School District continues to appear in the top 10–15 nationally, depending on the specific category or data set reviewed.

These placements reinforce Long Island’s reputation for educational excellence  and they also help explain why homes in these districts remain highly sought-after.

🏡 How These Rankings Affect Homebuyers

For homebuyers, school quality often translates directly to property value and neighborhood stability.

Families moving to Long Island frequently base their search radius around district boundaries, aiming for the best possible educational environment for their children. As a result, homes located within top performing districts like Syosset, Jericho, or Roslyn tend to command higher prices and maintain long term value.

At the same time, not all districts share equal resources or enrollment trends. Some are seeing declining student populations or budget challenges that can affect future planning. It’s important to view rankings as one piece of a larger picture a snapshot of performance, but not the full story of what makes a community great.

🤝 A Commitment to Keeping You Informed

I share updates like these because I believe an informed buyer or seller makes the best decisions. Whether you’re purchasing your first home, upgrading for a growing family, or planning for the future, understanding the local school landscape is key.

Again, these rankings come directly from Niche’s 2025–2026 report and reflect their research, surveys, and statistical analysis. They do not represent my personal evaluations or opinions — only verified, publicly available data that shapes our housing market and communities.

🧭 Final Thoughts

Education remains the number one priority for most Long Island families, and these rankings highlight just how competitive — and impressive — our local districts continue to be.

If you’d like to learn more about how school district boundaries or rankings might influence your real estate goals, I’m always happy to provide neighborhood insights tailored to your needs.

Sources:

Niche.com – 2025–2026 Best School Districts in New York

Newsday – “13 Long Island Districts Among State’s Top 20”

Greater Long Island – 2026 Niche Rankings Overview