Photo: Iracaz · CC BY-SA 3.0Port Jefferson’s public schools outscore 91% of New York districts
On the state math tests, 74% of Port Jefferson’s students scored proficient, above the New York average (46%). The grade covers the public school district serving Port Jefferson, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New York, not nationally.
From New York state tests taken in spring 2022, when 65% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Port Jefferson’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 66% and math 74% in spring 2022, against 49% and 46% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $49,819 per student, against $34,607 across New York (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Port Jefferson Middle School, then Earl L Vandermeulen High School. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Port Jefferson’s grade
A: better than 91% of New York school districts, #42 of 755 New York towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New York average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Port Jefferson, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 370 students · 10:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 370 students · 10:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 370 students · 10:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 370 students · 10:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 370 students · 10:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 370 students · 10:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 370 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 224 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 224 students · 9:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Port Jefferson
Port Jefferson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 224 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Port Jefferson
Earl L Vandermeulen High School
Grades 9–12 · 313 students · 9:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Port Jefferson
Earl L Vandermeulen High School
Grades 9–12 · 313 students · 9:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Port Jefferson
Earl L Vandermeulen High School
Grades 9–12 · 313 students · 9:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Port Jefferson
Earl L Vandermeulen High School
Grades 9–12 · 313 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Port Jefferson’s public schools are run by Port Jefferson Union Free School District, which also serves Belle Terre. Parts of Port Jefferson (6% and 2% of its land) are served by Brookhaven-Comsewogue Union Free and Three Village Central instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Port Jefferson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New York towns that share Port Jefferson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Port Jefferson | A | Port Jefferson Union Free |
| Belle Terre | — | Port Jefferson Union Free |
Every school in Port Jefferson
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New York’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Port Jefferson’s schools
Are Port Jefferson’s schools good?
By New York’s own tests, yes: the public schools Port Jefferson children attend outscore 91% of New York’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #42 of 755 New York towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 88%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Port Jefferson in?
Port Jefferson Union Free School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 907 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Port Jefferson are served by Brookhaven-Comsewogue Union Free and Three Village Central.
Where do Port Jefferson kids go to high school?
Earl L Vandermeulen High School, with 313 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Port Jefferson’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Port Jefferson Union Free School District graduated in four years, against 87% across New York.
How much does Port Jefferson spend per student?
$49,819 in Port Jefferson Union Free School District (FY2024), against $34,607 across New York. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Port Jefferson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Port Jefferson → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New York. Stars are from neighbors.