Welcome to CHS - we are looking forward to spending the next four years with you. A very warm welcome is also extended to those students new to CHS and of course to all of you returning for another year full of exploration and discovery! You are very fortunate to have such an amazing staff and administrative team here at the high school. We are all here to support you as you take on the challenges a new school year brings. Take advantage of all that CHS offers, from outstanding electives to the variety of clubs and athletic teams - there's really no reason for you not to become a very involved student. We wish you all the very best for an incredibly successful and fulfilling year and we look forward to hearing about and sharing your accomplishments.

The Homecoming Village and Parade will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21. Community members are invited to complete this form to reserve a vendor table in the parking lot adjacent to the west end zone of the CHS football field. Meanwhile, school and community groups are invited to register to march in the parade by completing this form. Registration for both closes on Sept. 13. 

The summer is no time off for Commack High School’s science researchers.

Students gathered in Lab 10 at the high school on Wednesday morning with science teachers Andrea Beatty, Jeanette Collette, Dr. Daniel Kramer as well as retired teacher Dr. Lorraine Solomon to gain an overview of the Regeneron Science Talent Search application process and receive initial feedback on their 20-page research papers and essays.

Regeneron STS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school students. Started in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, Regeneron STS recognizes and empowers the nation’s most promising young scientists who are developing ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.

Roughly 2,000 students submit applications each November to Regeneron STS, which involves original research in critically important scientific fields of study. Unique among high school competitions, the Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring and engaging the nation’s most promising future leaders in STEM.

Commack has a proud tradition of students achieving in the Regeneron competition. The high school has produced 14 semifinalists in the past decade: Jonathan Zhang (2024), Soyoun "Ashley" Moon (2022), Kimberly Liao (2020), S. Shamtej Singh Rana (2020), Pragati Muthukumar (2019), Daniel Lee (2018), Anoop Singh (2018), Jordan Cooper (2017), Abby Cuomo (2017), David Li (2016), Mehtaab Sawhney (2016), Scott Massa (2015), Matthew O’Connell (2015) and Josh Zweig (2014).

Massa achieved finalist status.

Those graduates have continued their research at elite universities including Harvard, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Penn and Stanford.

The Commack School District takes pride in its commitment to music education. And CHS rising senior Jack Gordon feels passionately about ensuring that same commitment is sustained nationwide.

So Gordon hosted a fundraiser on Monday evening to support the Save the Music Foundation.

Six bands, including the CHS Jazz Messengers, performed at Miller’s Ale House in Commack as part of the event. The musical groups represented wide-ranging genres, with the performers ranging in age from 12 to their late 60s.

Gordon partnered with several local businesses who donated rehearsal space, shirts, silk screening, banners and DJ services as well as gift cards and gift baskets to be raffled off as prizes.

The Save the Music Foundation is committed to helping underfunded schools nationwide keep their music programs alive by providing them with money for programs, instruments, technology and other resources.

“When I found out about their mission, I decided I had to get involved,” Gordon said. “Since the age of 13, I have been playing with my peers and in many adult bands. Over the years, I have established strong friendships with these fellow musicians, and I asked them to come together to perform for the event.”

Registration for 2024 fall driver's education program is now open!

The registration form will remain on the district website until the maximum number of students that the program can accommodate for the fall 2024 semester is reached.

If you have any questions regarding the driver's education program, please call Mr. Matthew P. Keltos, coordinator of driver education, at (631) 912-2107.

Only 11th and 12th grade Commack High School students who are in good standing and have met all of their academic requirements for their present school year are eligible to enroll. Students must be 16 years old.

For full details and the registration form and calendar, click here.

Dara Gordon, who graduated from CHS last month, has earned a scholarship from the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook.

Gordon had an illustrious high school career, excelling in numerous dramas and musicals — both within the school and beyond.

Her talent earned her the Hunting-Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Play in 2022 and Best Vocalist in a Musical this year from the Town of Huntington. She also received the 2024 Scholar-Artist Merit Award in Theatre from the Long Island Arts Alliance.

In addition to theatre accomplishments, Gordon was highly active in several high school choirs and was a vocalist for the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra.

She was a long-time participant in NYSSMA, SCMEA and NYSCAME.

A versatile musician, Gordon plays piano, ukelele and the kalimba. She was a proud member of the National Honor Society, the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the International Thespian Society.

 

Gordon will study musical theater at the Conservatory at Shenandoah University beginning this fall.

Con-grad-ulations to the Commack High School Class of 2024!

Family, friends and educators of 498 seniors celebrated commencement on Thursday evening at the school’s stadium.

The event included addresses from student academic speakers Jonathan Zhang and Evan Stern and class president Conor Spahn presenting assistant principal Andrea Allen with a class gift — outdoor furniture for the school’s courtyard.

Superintendent Dr. Jordan Cox offered a gift to each senior as well — an evergreen tree that the graduates can plant and watch take root and grow throughout their adulthoods.

Before awarding of the diplomas, the ceremony included a pause to recognize the graduates who are entering the various military branches.

“The strongest trees sway with the really heavy winds and don’t break,” Dr. Cox told attendees during the commencement ceremony. “When the tough storms come, and they will, be able to bend. And then once they pass, return to standing proud and tall. Don’t let those tough times break you or uproot you.

“And, lastly, don’t ever forget to remember your roots. I promise you that you are graduating from a place that is absolutely over-the-moon excited for you, that cares about you and loves you.”

For family members and friends unable to attend our commencement ceremony in person on Thursday at 5 p.m. at CHS, please consider sharing one of our streaming links:

YouTube

Boxcast

We look forward to you joining us virtually or in person!

We are thrilled to introduce the 2023-24 issue of Pathways, the Commack High School Freshman Art Literary Magazine!

Pathways is a vibrant celebration of the creativity and talent of our freshman class, showcasing their artistic and literary achievements. We invite you to explore the imaginative and inspiring works of our freshmen, who have poured their hearts and souls into their creations. Each piece in Pathways reflects the individual journeys and new beginnings of these talented students. This magazine is a journey through the artistic and literary expressions of our high school freshman, providing them with a platform to share their voices and visions.

Pathways is more than just a magazine; it’s a testament to the potential and promise of our freshman class. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication, and we are excited to share their achievements with the entire Commack community.

Join us as we embark on this journey through the creative minds of our freshman class. Whether you're a lover of art, literature, or simply curious about the talents of the next generation, Pathways offers a rich and inspiring experience that highlights the extraordinary potential of our students.

Congrats to CHS' Tyler C., who captured singles and doubles gold in tennis at the Special Olympics' New York State Summer Games this past weekend!

Tyler participated with the CHS JV tennis team this past season.

Congrats to CHS student Alexa V., who has been awarded a scholarship from the New York Blood Center due to her work with the Future Healthcare Professionals Club.

Alexa hosted a blood drive at CHS.

Future Healthcare Professionals Club advisor Jeanne Suttie presented Alexa with the award on Tuesday morning.

Congrats to retiring boys track coach Paul Sleavensky, who has been named League 2 Coach of the Year. The presentation was made at the Section XI All-Section Awards Dinner at Villa Lombardi's. It marks Sleavensky's third Coach of the Year award this school year alone. The boys spring track and field team went undefeated in League 2 en route to the championship.

CHS track and field’s Danny P. proved himself an elite competitor at the New York State Track and Field Championships.

Danny placed second in the pentathlon at Cicero North Syracuse this past weekend, and third overall in the Federation.

He also was selected to Newsday’s All-Long Island track and field team.

Three CHS students were honored Tuesday morning for their lofty achievements in scouting.

Matthew C. was presented a $1,925 check by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Elwood/Commack Post 9263 after placing first in Suffolk County and second in New York State in the Scout of the Year competition.

Meanwhile, CHS also recognized on Tuesday morning new Eagle Scouts Matthew M. and Jack F.

All three CHS students are active with Troop 125.

Matthew C. previously had been honored by Suffolk County executive Edward Romaine and Suffolk County legislator Nick Caracappa.