About SOCSD

Ninety-nine percent of Tappan Zee High School seniors graduated in 2024. Ninety percent of 2024 graduates are continuing their education at post-secondary institutions, including: Arizona State University, Boston University, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, Dominican University, Fashion Institute of Technology, George Washington University, Howard University, Marist College, Johnson & Wales University, Northeastern University, Ohio State University, Quinnipiac University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Thomas Aquinas College, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, University of Tampa and more than a dozen CUNY and SUNY schools.

Makerspaces in each school are just one feature of SOCSD’s cross-disciplinary K-12 STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program, which encompasses: technology-infused classroom instruction; electives, such as the SOMS Challenge Lab and the Project Lead the Way engineering sequence at TZHS; extracurricular activities (Math Olympiad, Science Olympiad, robotics); an annual district-wide School Maker Faire; and, Summer STEAM Camp.

SOMS offers Virtual High School courses and honors/acceleration opportunities for high-performing students. High school students seeking academic challenge have honors and nearly 20 Advanced Placement courses to choose from; those who are eligible may apply to the Early Admissions Program and attend Rockland Community College in lieu of their senior year at TZHS.

Whether there is a passion for performing or visual arts, scientific research, poetry, engine mechanics or something completely different, SOCSD offers elementary and secondary students an array of opportunities to pursue their unique educational interests.

In each school, a strong team of professionals–including math and reading specialists, psychologists, school counselors, special education teachers, hearing impaired and speech teachers, nurses, occupational and physical therapists and school social workers–collaborate with general education faculty and families to deliver the comprehensive supports students need to succeed.

SOCSD’s athletics program encompasses intramural sports at the middle school level and interscholastic teams for grades 7 through 12. Current interscholastic sports:

• Fall: Cross Country, Cheerleading, Football, Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Swimming & Diving, Girls Tennis and Boys and Girls Volleyball
• Winter: Boys and Girls Basketball, Bowling, Fencing, Girls Gymnastics Ice Hockey, Indoor Track, Boys Swimming and Wrestling
• Spring: Baseball, Boys and Girls Golf, Girls Flag Football, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Softball, Coed Track & Field and Boys Tennis

Instrumental music instruction begins in Grade 3 and continues through high school. Student-musicians have the opportunity to participate in a number of ensembles, perform in concerts throughout the school year and, in high school, audition for the annual New York State School Music Association All-State Festival.

From locally-funded scholarships to PTA-sponsored enrichment programs to community mentors, South Orangetown students benefit from our community’s enthusiastic support of our schools.