Very Good
#941 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 20% in state
South Side High School
High School · ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
140 SHEPHERD ST, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Enrollment
985
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
985
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rockville Centre
#4 of 6
public schools
New York high schools
#222 of 1,160
In district
#5 of 7
ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About South Side High School
South Side High School serves 985 students in grades 9-12 in Rockville Centre, offering a comprehensive high school experience with a favorable 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 96 full-time equivalent teachers. The school maintains a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #2109 out of 4758 New York high schools, placing it in the 56th percentile statewide. Located on Shepherd Street, South Side High School draws from a well-educated community where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects strong economic stability, with a median household income of $149,420 and a low poverty rate of just 4.2%. These community characteristics often translate into strong family support for education and student achievement. The school's substantial enrollment of nearly 1,000 students allows for diverse course offerings and extracurricular opportunities typical of larger high schools, while the relatively small class sizes foster more personalized attention from faculty.
With 96 teachers serving the student body, the school maintains the staffing levels needed to support comprehensive programming across core academic subjects and electives. South Side High School operates within Rockville Centre's large suburban setting, serving families in this established Nassau County community known for its commitment to education and family-oriented neighborhoods.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Side High School — Students at South Side High School score 86% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.
How South Side High School Compares
See how South Side High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 98% (2019) to 98% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 99.5% (2019) to 75% (2021).
Location
140 SHEPHERD ST, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Side High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BALDWIN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Baldwin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is CASTLETON ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL OF OCEANSIDE (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Oceanside), with a very similar rating. Additionally, FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Freeport), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rockville Centre, see our Rockville Centre schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WILSON SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 0.2 mi | 8.8 |
| PLAZA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baldwin | 0.4 mi | 8.4 |
| LENOX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baldwin | 0.7 mi | 8.5 |
| WILLIAM S COVERT SCHOOL South Hempstead | 1.0 mi | 8.9 |
| BALDWIN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Baldwin | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| BROOKSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baldwin | 0.9 mi | 8.9 |
| HEWITT SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 1.0 mi | 9.4 |
| GRAND AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Baldwin | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| SCHOOL 5 Oceanside | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL Freeport | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| SOUTH SIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| SCHOOL 3 Oceanside | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| LAWRENCE ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL Hempstead | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| SCHOOL 6-KINDERGARTEN CENTER Oceanside | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| JOSEPH MCNEIL SCHOOL Hempstead | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| CASTLETON ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL OF OCEANSIDE Oceanside | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| ROSA LEE YOUNG CHILDHOOD CENTER Rockville Centre | 1.5 mi | — |
| WATSON SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| CENTENNIAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Roosevelt | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| STEELE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baldwin | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 11570 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$147,784
Median Home Value
$786,600
Median Rent
$1,804/mo
Population
28,162
College Educated
61.5%
Homeownership
75.7%
Avg Commute
37.8 min
Poverty Rate
5%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Side High School has a median household income of $147,784. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $786,600, with a median rent of $1,804/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BRIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL Rochester, NY | 7.7 |
| BROOKLYN COLLABORATIVE STUDIES Brooklyn, NY | 7.7 |
| BROOKLYN LATIN SCHOOL (THE) Brooklyn, NY | 7.7 |
| BYRAM HILLS HIGH SCHOOL Armonk, NY | 7.7 |
| COLD SPRING HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL Cold Spring Harbor, NY | 7.7 |
| FRANK SINATRA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS HIGH SCHOOL Long Island City, NY | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Side High School
What grades does South Side High School serve?
South Side High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Side High School?
South Side High School has an enrollment of approximately 985 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Side High School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Side High School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Side High School rank in NY?
South Side High School is ranked #941 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is South Side High School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Side High School has a composite rating of 7.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South Side High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Side High School has 98.0% math proficiency and 87.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Side High School a charter school?
No, South Side High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Side High School a Title I school?
No, South Side High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Side High School?
19.5% of students at South Side High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 37 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 24 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 45 Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety
- Elevated (982/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 985
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 96
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Nassau County
- Phone
- (516) 255-8944
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 3,326
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $36,755
- District Rank
- #5 of 7
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in New York 2026: Top Districts from NYC to the Suburbsbest schools
- Best Schools in New York, NY — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Student-Teacher Ratio by State: Complete 2026 Rankingsdata insights
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.