Welcome to Patchogue Medford High School; An institution made to be more than just a place of learning. It is a vibrant community where students, teachers, and staff come together to create an enriching environment, dedicated to academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement.
From the moment the first bell rings to the final dismissal, the school buzzes with activity, offering a unique blend of academic security and extracurricular excitement from students.
We sat down with our principal, Dr. Rusielewicz to discuss what makes our school outstanding. Through a quick Q&A session, uncover the insights into our mission, values, achievements, and the diverse programs that shape our school’s role in our vibrant community.
Q: What is our school’s mission and vision?
Rusielewicz: “We want students to be able to find what they want to do and then feed that burning flame inside them. Whether they like sciences, whether they like math, social studies, English, we have our CTE programs that we are very excited about over the last several years, that was the goal we wanted to bring in, so now we have law enforcement, cosmetology, medical programs, construction…and to me that is one of the coolest things we offer here at the high school.”
Q: What are some of the key values that our school promotes among students and staff?
Rusielewicz: “Definitely respect. We talk about restorative practices when things go wrong, with students, staff or even parents. It is the ability to have a conversation, to be respectful to all students, and we have something for everyone, we’ve got 2500 kids in the building, and it is great to know when you are in an environment where everyone is truly respected and valued for who they are.”
Q: Can you share some recent achievements or milestones of our school?
Rusielewicz: “Homecoming, which I think is the ultimate example of community pride. In past years we’ve had the Prom down Main Street, we just recently had our cosmetology program go to the senior citizens home to paint their nails, and we hope to expand that as far as cutting their hair. Our goal is to take the talents of our student and share them with the community.”
Q: What programs or initiatives does the school have to encourage student involvement in extra curriculars?
Rusielewicz: “At any given year we have anywhere from 30 to 50 clubs that are running, and those clubs are as diverse as our school population with a wide range of activities. From Robotics, to our Hispanic Heritage, there’s a lot to get into here at the high school…. I always say, yes, it’s about academics during the day, but don’t be invisible.”
Q: What steps does the school take to foster a sense of community among students, teachers, and parents?
Rusielewicz: “We are making a conservative effort to make sure that we recognize the diversity in our community so that all people feel welcome. Even when parents have a message for our school, they can write it in their native language, so it is safe to say, your language is not a barrier for your child or as a parent at Patchogue- Medford High School.”
Q: Can you discuss future school plans or projects?
Rusielewicz: “We are working with Northwell Health, we are working with Langone, we are working with Stony Brook Hospital, working on getting medical internships for the students in our medical assisting programs, as well as our construction program working for Habitat for Humanity. At the high school, we never stay in one spot. We try to figure out what the students need and always find innovative ideas to build up our programs.”
Our commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement ensures that our students are well-equipped to make a positive impact in the world. With a variety of programs and a clear vision for the future, our community is set for continued success. That is what makes our school special!
