The top reported proficiency rate is 82% in Social studies. The lowest is 19% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Frank P Long Intermediate School
Frank P Long Intermediate School serves fourth and fifth graders in Bellport, a small residential village on Long Island's South Shore with a maritime heritage and a mix of year-round and part-time residents. The school sits on Brookhaven Avenue, outside the village core, as part of the South Country Central School District system spread across several campuses in the broader area.
The school draws a diverse student body. About three-fifths of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the enrollment is roughly split between Hispanic and white students, with substantial representation of Black students as well. This composition reflects both Bellport and the adjacent, larger and more economically distressed community of North Bellport.
Academic results show clear challenges. In fourth grade math, about two in five students reached proficiency on the state assessment; in fifth grade, that falls to roughly one in four. English language arts is lower still: about one in three students achieved proficiency in both grades. In fifth grade science, only about one in five students were proficient. These results place the school in the bottom quartile of proficiency compared to other districts in Suffolk County. A parent may want to look into the school's literacy and numeracy support systems with staff directly to understand what interventions are in place and how the school approaches students working below grade level.
The school's participation rate on state tests varies by grade. Fourth grade participation hovers near standard levels, but fifth grade participation is notably lower, which can matter when interpreting whether the reported numbers reflect most of the cohort or a subset. The school's relatively low proficiency rates combined with uneven participation warrant a direct conversation with school leaders about both assessment performance and the structure of instruction, particularly in math and science.
The broader context shapes the school's operations. The South Country Central School District faced a significant fiscal crisis in 2024-25 when auditors disclosed a substantial budget overspend. A subsequent state review projected ongoing deficits through the coming years despite staff layoffs and spending freezes. The district pursued special act legislation to finance deficits through borrowing against future state aid, paired with a three-year recovery plan. For families, this means the school will operate under constrained budgets during their child's time there. The district also has put forward a referendum to eliminate transportation beyond state-required mileage, which would cut busing costs; whether that passes will affect whether families qualify for school bus service.
The school itself is a regular public school serving only intermediate grades. There is no information available about specialized programs, staffing levels, disciplinary practices, or attendance patterns. The community it serves is bounded by both the affluent Bellport village core, where homes command substantial prices and the village maintains its own recreational facilities and library, and North Bellport, where recent revitalization projects have brought new housing and where median household income is lower. The school serves the entire district population across these communities.
For a family considering Frank P Long, the key questions are the nature and intensity of remediation for students below grade level, what the school's approach to science instruction looks like given the low proficiency rates, and what the district's fiscal constraints mean for classroom resources and program continuity over the next several years. The school's test results indicate substantial need for reading and math support.
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