LONGMEADOW – The Longmeadow Public Schools system was rated highly on the 2018 Niche Best Schools in America analysis.  Niche ranks schools based on academics, teachers, culture and diversity, parent and student surveys, health and safety, resource and facilities, clubs and activities as well as sports programs.  Longmeadow was ranked 18th in Massachusetts and 165th in the United States.

Superintendent Marty O’Shea said there isn’t one factor that distinguishes the Longmeadow Public Schools, rather, a multitude.

“We were highly rated by Niche because of the investments the community has made in public education and because our programming is broad-based and supports the needs of the whole child.  We try to ensure that our programs and curriculum support children’s social-emotional needs, their artistic and athletic interests and, of course, their academic needs and interests,” O’Shea stated.

Though it was the school system that was placed so highly in Massachusetts and the country, O’Shea believes the community as a whole helped their high-raking status.

“Parents and the wider community are deeply invested in schooling and learning,” O’Shea noted.

Over 10,500 school districts were evaluated, ranking Longmeadow among the top two percent of school districts nationwide.

“Our recipe for success is, in some respects, a simple one that includes a very supportive community, eager learners and excellent teachers and staff,” O’Shea said.