Comsewogue School District

Early history

Comsewogue comes from a language used by the Setalcott or Setauket Native Americans who were native to the area. It means "place where paths come together." The district originally opened as the Terryville-Comsewogue School District in 1871.^[5] In 1874, the first school in Terryville was opened on Terryville Road.^[6] The district utilized a school known as both The Comsewogue School and The Terryville-Port Jefferson Station Union Free School, which had an auditorium and a classroom for every grade added in 1930.^[7] Previously, the school used four classrooms for eight grades (first through eighth).^[8] Schools in the district underwent a variety of names, including Terryville-Port Jefferson Station, Port Jefferson Station-Terryville, Comsewogue, and Port Jefferson Station-Comsewogue.^{[9][10][11][12]}

District Mascot

In 1971, Comsewogue High School was opened. Previously the district had had the Spartans as their mascot. Following the opening of the high school, the mascot became the Warriors. This was until 2025, when by order of New York State, they removed the Native American inspired mascot. They reverted back to the Spartans, decided by a process including students, teachers, and anyone somewhat related to Comsewogue.^[5]

Restructuring of Elementary Schools

Prior to the 2012-2013 school year, the district restructured their elementary schools. Previously, the Boyle Road, Terryville Road, Clinton Avenue, and Norwood Avenue schools all served students K-5. This was changed to what is known as the "Princeton Plan." The Princeton Plan features a move from K-5 schools to separate schools grades K-2 and 3-5. Despite the failure of the budget featuring the Princeton Plan, the district still implemented the plan making Boyle Road and Terryville Road both 3-5 schools and Clinton Avenue and Norwood Avenue K-2 schools.^[13][14]

Recent history

Richard T. Brande retired as Superintendent after the 2005-06 school year and was replaced by deputy superintendent Shelley Saffer.^[15] The deputy superintendent was former Comsewogue High School principal, Dr. Joseph Rella until 2010, when Shelley Saffer retired and Joseph Rella became Superintendent.^[16] Both during and after their time as superintendent, Brande and Saffer were some of the highest earners among school employees in all of Long Island and even New York State.^{[16][17][18][19]} Former Comsewogue High School principal, Jennifer Reph, then became deputy superintendent.^[20][21] Rella retired in 2019, and passed away the following year. He was replaced by Jennifer Quinn, who is the current superintendent.^[22]

2008

• Boys Varsity Soccer, Suffolk County Class A Champion, New York State Class A Champion^[32][33][34]

2009

• Boys Varsity Soccer, Suffolk County Class A Champion, Long Island Champion, State Champions^[33][34]