Northport High School - History

History

A high school department was first organized in Northport in 1896, with the first graduating class following in 1900. Classes were held along with other grade levels at School Street School, located on what is now known as Scudder Avenue. In 1924, all grades were relocated to a new 500-student K-12 school located on Laurel Avenue. In 1938 all elementary school students were transferred out to newly constructed schools, leaving the Laurel Avenue school as a Junior/Senior High School. Currently Laurel Avenue School functions as the district office.

After World War II, servicemen returning from oversees brought tremendous population growth to suburban Long Island. The subsequent baby boom led to explosive school enrollment, which resulted in rampant school overcrowding throughout the 1950s. To accommodate this growth the High School and Junior High School had to separate. In January 1956 the High School relocated to a new campus-style school located on Middleville Road. This was the third home for Northport High School students but the first facility to bear the name Northport High School. But the new school building still couldn't remedy the overcrowding problem, forcing the high school to become a three-year school by moving the 9th grade down to the Junior High Schools. As overcrowding continued to worsen, Northport High School had to go on an overlapping session in 1962-63, and on double session from 1964 to 1966.

The overcrowding problem was finally remedied with the construction of a new Northport High School on Laurel Hill Road. This new school building opened its doors to approximately 1500 students in the fall of 1966, and remains the location of Northport High School today. In 1988 the school district moved 9th grade back to the High School after 29 years, and renamed all Junior High Schools "Middle Schools". Over 25,000 students have graduated from Northport High School since its inception in 1896.