Very Good
#1773 of 4,739 schools in NY
Top 37% in state
South Side Middle School
Middle School · ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
67 HILLSIDE AVE, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Enrollment
829
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
829
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rockville Centre
#6 of 6
public schools
New York middle schools
#194 of 785
In district
#7 of 7
ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About South Side Middle School
South Side Middle School serves 829 students in grades 6 through 8 in Rockville Centre, a well-established Long Island community. With 88 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio, providing students with substantial individual attention during these crucial middle school years. Academically, South Side Middle School performs strongly, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 87th percentile among New York's middle schools at #624 out of 4,758 schools statewide.
Students demonstrate solid proficiency in English Language Arts, with 75% scoring proficient or above across all grade levels. Mathematics shows room for continued growth, with 56% of students achieving proficiency. The school draws from an affluent and highly educated community where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding ZIP code 11570 has a median household income of $149,420 and a low poverty rate of just 4.2%, reflecting the area's economic stability. Median home values of $753,300 indicate a well-established residential neighborhood that prioritizes education. Located on Hillside Avenue in this large suburban setting, South Side Middle School benefits from being part of a community that values educational achievement and provides strong support for student success.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, South Side Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Side Middle School — Students at South Side Middle School score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
15.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 9 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: 5.3/10.
How South Side Middle School Compares
See how South Side Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 56% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 75% (2021).
Location
67 HILLSIDE AVE, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Side Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HEWITT SCHOOL (rated 9.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is RIVERSIDE SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WILLIAM S COVERT SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby South Hempstead), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rockville Centre, see our Rockville Centre schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ROSA LEE YOUNG CHILDHOOD CENTER Rockville Centre | 0.3 mi | — |
| WATSON SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| RIVERSIDE SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 0.9 mi | 8.9 |
| HEWITT SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 0.9 mi | 9.4 |
| SCHOOL 5 Oceanside | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| SCHOOL 2 Oceanside | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| MALVERNE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Malverne | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| SCHOOL 6-KINDERGARTEN CENTER Oceanside | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| CASTLETON ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL OF OCEANSIDE Oceanside | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| HOWARD T HERBER MIDDLE SCHOOL Malverne | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| EAST ROCKAWAY JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL East Rockaway | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| WILSON SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 1.2 mi | 8.8 |
| SOUTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL Rockville Centre | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| CENTRE AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL East Rockaway | 1.4 mi | 8.7 |
| DAVISON AVENUE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Lynbrook | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Malverne | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| PLAZA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Baldwin | 1.4 mi | 8.4 |
| SCHOOL 3 Oceanside | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Malverne | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| WILLIAM S COVERT SCHOOL South Hempstead | 1.7 mi | 8.9 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| HAUPPAUGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Hauppauge, NY | 7.0 |
| JHS 78 ROY H MANN Brooklyn, NY | 7.0 |
| MILDRED E STRANG MIDDLE SCHOOL Yorktown Heights, NY | 7.0 |
| EAST ISLIP MIDDLE SCHOOL Islip Terrace, NY | 6.9 |
| HOWARD L GOFF SCHOOL East Greenbush, NY | 7.1 |
| IS 238 SUSAN B ANTHONY ACADEMY Hollis, NY | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Side Middle School
What grades does South Side Middle School serve?
South Side Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Side Middle School?
South Side Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 829 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Side Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Side Middle School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Side Middle School rank in NY?
South Side Middle School is ranked #1773 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is South Side Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Side Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Side Middle School has 60.0% math proficiency and 73.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Side Middle School a charter school?
No, South Side Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Side Middle School a Title I school?
No, South Side Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Side Middle School?
15.2% of students at South Side Middle 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 829
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 88
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 15.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Nassau County
- Phone
- (516) 255-8976
- 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
- #7 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
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