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Living In Rockville Centre
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Rockville cenTRe SchoolS
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he Rockville Centre School District is one of the best in the state, with widely recognized and honored faculty members, administrators and educational programs. South Side High School has previously been named one of the best schools in the country by Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and many other rating groups. There has recently been a change in leadership, as June Chang took on the role of superintendent on July 1, 2020, replacing longtime Superintendent Dr. William Johnson, who retired. Over the past four decades, programs were created at the schools that are celebrated around the country, and that help students achieve their best. Students at the high school take International Baccalaureate courses in English and history, which challenge them and help them learn critical-thinking skills. Many other students go on to take more IB classes and graduate with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. Nearly all South Side students graduate, and many go on to four-year colleges. The school underwent great challenges in 2020 and 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic, first closing entirely and switching to a remote option before welcoming back a few students at a time and eventually returning to normal. “We worked extremely hard to get to this point,” Chang said this past March upon some students returning, noting that conversations about bringing students back began in July 2020. Rockville Centre is also home to St. Agnes Cathedral School, one of the largest Catholic elementary schools on Long Island. Hundreds of Rockville Centre students attend St. Agnes kindergarten through eighth grade, and often go on to attend Chaminade or Kellenberg high schools.
Tom Carrozza/Herald
Top Left Photo: South Side High School was able to host an in-person graduation ceremony for the class of 2021 in June. Courtesy Rockville Centre Schools
Top Right Photo: Watson Elementary School students performed in a school musical, “It’s a Boring, Snoring, Exploring Day.” Christina Daly/Herald
Middle Photo: South Side High School caputed a county championship for the first time since 1982 this past June. Courtesy Mary Brower
Bottom Photo: Catholic Schools Week sees many popular events at St. Agnes Cathedral School.
