The Wheatley School
The Wheatley School is a public high school in Old Westbury, New York, serving grades 8 through 12 as the upper school in the East Williston Union Free School District.[1] Located at 11 Bacon Road on a 50-acre campus, it enrolls approximately 687 students with 47% minority enrollment and a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, emphasizing a college-preparatory education.[1][2][3] Established in 1956 after residents approved the purchase of land from the Bacon Estate in 1954 and construction began the following year, the school opened to students for the 1956–57 academic year and was formally dedicated on April 28, 1957.[4][5] Originally named the East Williston Junior–Senior High School, it was renamed The Wheatley School to reflect the local area's historical ties to the Wheatley Hills community.[6] The institution has maintained a tradition of academic excellence, with nearly all graduates pursuing higher education and the first full graduating class in 1960 marking the start of its legacy.[7][8] Wheatley offers a rigorous curriculum including honors and accelerated courses in math, science, English, and world languages, alongside over 20 Advanced Placement classes such as calculus, biology, and psychology, with 93% of students taking at least one AP exam and 76% passing.[2][9] The school boasts a 100% graduation rate (class of 2024), 98% proficiency in reading and 92% in math (as of 2023–24), and a college readiness index of 80/100, earning it a national ranking of #246 and #32 in New York state among high schools (as of 2024).[9][3] Facilities include a 25,000-volume library, science and computer labs, an art gallery, a TV studio, a 575-seat auditorium, and extensive athletic fields supporting 24 sports.[2] Extracurriculars encompass over 35 clubs like robotics, mock trial, and drama, as well as strong community service initiatives that raise significant funds for charities annually.[7]Overview
Location and Governance
The Wheatley School is situated at 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury, New York 11568, within Nassau County on Long Island.[10] This location places it in a suburban area known for its residential communities and proximity to urban centers like New York City. The 50-acre campus provides space for academic buildings, athletic fields, and recreational areas, supporting the school's role as a comprehensive public high school.[2] As part of the East Williston Union Free School District, The Wheatley School serves grades 8 through 12 and functions as the district's only high school.[1] The district operates under the oversight of a five-member Board of Education, elected by local residents for staggered three-year terms without compensation, which sets policies and appoints the superintendent to manage daily administration. This structure ensures community involvement in governance while adhering to New York State education regulations. The school itself is accredited by the New York State Board of Regents, affirming its compliance with statewide academic and operational standards.[7] Operationally, The Wheatley School follows a daily schedule from 8:25 a.m. to 2:52 p.m. (as of the 2024-25 school year), accommodating a full range of classes and extracurricular activities.[11] It maintains a dress code policy that does not require uniforms, allowing students flexibility in attire while enforcing general standards of appropriateness as outlined in district guidelines. Attendance protocols align with New York State requirements, emphasizing regular participation and parental notification for absences to support student success. The school's motto, "Veritatem Quaerite" (Latin for "Seek the Truth"), reflects its emphasis on intellectual inquiry and ethical development.[12] Historically, the institution was originally established as East Williston Junior–Senior High School before being renamed The Wheatley School in 1956. This change honored the surrounding Wheatley Heights community and acknowledged the land purchase from the Bacon Estate, which influenced the area's development.[6]Enrollment and Demographics
As of the 2024–25 school year, The Wheatley School enrolls 690 students in grades 8 through 12, with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 8:1 supported by about 83 full-time equivalent teachers and 4 full-time school counselors.[13][1][9] For the 2025-26 school year, enrollment is projected at 681 students, reflecting a slight decline.[13] The student body is nearly evenly divided by gender, with 48% female and 52% male students.[14] Racial and ethnic composition reflects a diverse yet predominantly White and Asian population, as shown in the table below:| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 53% |
| Asian | 35% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 7% |
| Multiracial | 3% |
| Black or African American | 1% |
| Other (American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) | 1% |
History
Founding and Construction
The Wheatley School was established to alleviate overcrowding in the East Williston Union Free School District amid the rapid post-World War II suburban expansion on Long Island, where population growth significantly outpaced school infrastructure.[17] In response to the district's growing high school population, voters approved the purchase of 50 acres of land from the southerly portion of the Bacon Estate in Old Westbury for $210,000, plus $15,000 in acquisition fees, in March 1954.[5] Construction of the new junior-senior high school began in 1955 on the acquired site, with the building receiving its official name, The Wheatley School, in December 1955—a nod to the historic Wheatley area in nearby Oyster Bay dating back to at least 1758.[18] The school opened to students in the fall of 1956 and was formally dedicated on April 28, 1957, in a ceremony featuring student performances and a symbolic key presentation.[4] Under the leadership of first principal Norman J. Boyan, along with Board of Education President Frederick Rehberger, District Superintendent John W. Chisholm, and Supervising Principal Raymond B. Sprague, the school was designed to align its curriculum with New York State educational standards from the outset, serving as the district's central secondary institution.[4]Key Developments and Milestones
In the 1960s and 1970s, The Wheatley School underwent significant structural changes to its grade configuration, transitioning from a junior-senior high school model to serving grades 8 through 12 exclusively, coinciding with the development of separate middle school facilities in the East Williston Union Free School District, such as the expansion of Willets Road School to accommodate grades 5-7.[19][20] The first full graduating class in 1960 marked the beginning of the school's academic legacy.[7] This shift allowed for more specialized programming at the secondary level. During this period, the school introduced Advanced Placement (AP) courses to meet growing academic demands, with early offerings including AP Art History by the late 1960s or early 1970s, enabling students to pursue college-level studies in a high school setting.[21] The 1980s and 2000s saw facility enhancements to support expanding educational needs, including upgrades funded through community efforts like the 2006 50th anniversary celebration, which raised proceeds for hallway beautification and general improvements.[22] Enrollment reached notable peaks in the 1990s, reflecting population growth in the district, with cumulative attendance data indicating steady increases through the late 20th century.[23] Entering the 2010s, The Wheatley School integrated advanced technology programs, notably forming the CyberCats FIRST Robotics Competition Team #2872 in 2009, which has since competed regionally and fostered STEM innovation among students.[24] The team achieved milestones such as participation in the 2023 FIRST Long Island Regional, highlighting ongoing commitments to engineering and collaborative problem-solving.[25] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, the school implemented hybrid learning models, with administrators reviewing and adopting blended in-person and remote options to ensure continuity of education while prioritizing health protocols.[26] By 2025, policy shifts emphasized inclusive education and sustainability, culminating in The Wheatley School being named a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics, recognizing its sustained efforts in fostering inclusive practices that integrate students with and without disabilities through unified sports and activities.[27] These developments underscore the school's evolution toward equitable, forward-thinking education in response to societal and technological changes.Academics
Curriculum and Course Offerings
The Wheatley School's curriculum for grades 8 through 12 emphasizes a rigorous, standards-aligned program that fulfills New York State requirements while offering pathways for advanced study. Core subjects form the foundation, requiring students to complete four credits in English, three in mathematics, three in science, and four in social studies. English courses progress from foundational skills in grade 8 to advanced analysis in grades 11 and 12, including Regents-level preparation. Mathematics begins with pre-algebra in grade 8 and advances through algebra, geometry, and algebra 2 by grade 11, with Regents exams mandated for key courses. Science instruction includes intermediate science in grade 8, followed by Regents biology, earth science, chemistry, and physics, each incorporating lab components and state assessments. Social studies covers U.S. and global history from grade 8 onward, culminating in Regents exams for global history and U.S. history & government. Foreign languages require at least one credit for a standard Regents diploma or three for advanced designation, with offerings in Spanish, French, and Mandarin at levels from introductory to advanced proficiency. Physical education is mandatory annually, earning 0.5 credits per year for a total of two credits, alongside 0.5 credits in health and one credit in art or music.[28] Advanced options enable students to pursue challenging coursework starting in grade 9, including honors tracks in subjects such as English 10, algebra 2, precalculus, and global history. The school offers a wide array of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, such as AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1 and C, AP Environmental Science, AP U.S. History, AP World History: Modern, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Computer Science A and Principles, and AP Statistics. These AP classes prepare students for college-level rigor and require participation in the corresponding May examinations. Elective offerings complement the core curriculum, integrating STEM and arts perspectives; examples include Introduction to Applied Coding and Robotics for grade 8, Public Speaking and Journalism for grades 9–12, AP Environmental Science and Marine Biology for grades 9–12, Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering, computer science pathways, studio art, photography, and music ensembles.[28] Special programs support diverse student needs and career preparation. The English as a New Language (ENL) program, administered through the World Language and ENL Department, provides integrated English language arts and standalone classes based on New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) levels to aid non-native speakers. College preparation is embedded in senior-year offerings, such as English 12 with seminars on applications and test strategies, alongside the Senior Project and dual enrollment opportunities with institutions like Stony Brook University. The curriculum integrates STEM electives like PLTW engineering and computer science with arts options, such as AP Studio Art and theater production, fostering interdisciplinary skills.[28] Graduation standards align with New York State mandates, requiring a minimum of 22 units of credit and passing scores on Regents examinations. For a Regents diploma, students must pass five exams: one each in English, mathematics, science, global history, and U.S. history & government. An advanced designation diploma necessitates seven to nine Regents exams, including additional assessments in math and science, plus a sequence in art, music, or occupational education. Foreign language proficiency may earn the Seal of Biliteracy.[28][7]Performance Metrics and Rankings
The Wheatley School demonstrates strong performance on New York State assessments, particularly in Regents examinations required for graduation. In the 2024-2025 school year, 97% of students passed the English Language Arts Regents exam, surpassing the state average of 88%. Mathematics proficiency across Regents exams, including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, averaged 92%, reflecting consistent high achievement in STEM subjects.[9][29] These results align with the school's longstanding pattern of exceeding state benchmarks, with over 90% passing rates in core subjects for multiple years.[3] Nationally, the school ranks highly for college readiness and overall performance. In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Wheatley placed #246 nationally and within the top 10% of New York high schools for college preparation, based on factors including AP/IB participation, exam scores, and graduation outcomes.[9] The school's emphasis on rigorous academics contributes to these standings, with 93% of students taking at least one AP exam and 76% passing.[9] Graduation outcomes underscore Wheatley's academic success, with a 98% four-year graduation rate for the class of 2024, well above the state average of 85%.[30] Approximately 95% of graduates enroll in four-year colleges, including placements at Ivy League institutions like Cornell and Harvard, as well as state universities such as SUNY Stony Brook.[31] Post-2018, the school has shown gains in STEM scores, with Regents passing rates in science and math subjects rising by 5-10 percentage points, alongside minimal achievement gaps across demographic groups (less than 5% disparity in proficiency).[9] These trends highlight equitable progress in advanced learning opportunities.[3]| Metric | Wheatley Rate | Regional/State Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| ELA Regents Passing (2024-25) | 97% | 88% state |
| Math Proficiency Average | 92% | 75% state average[9] |
| Four-Year Graduation Rate (2024) | 98% | 85% state[30] |
| Four-Year College Enrollment | 95% | 70% state average[31] |