At a Glance
A large Staten Island comprehensive high school with exceptional family and teacher trust, sitting in one of the borough's safest and most affluent neighborhoods
Families who value a large, comprehensive high school with strong community trust and minimal discipline issues; those who live in southern Staten Island and have transportation; parents who want extensive athletic and extracurricular options; families comfortable with a less diverse student body. Less ideal for families seeking urban transit access, smaller school settings, or highly diverse environments.
- Exceptional survey scores: 98% teacher-rated instruction quality, 96% parent-principal trust, and 92% parent satisfaction
- Near-zero suspensions (only 7 total) — a remarkably low-discipline environment for a large high school
- Program richness score of 100/100 — extensive AP, STEM, arts, and world language offerings
- 27 different sports — from fencing to gymnastics to swimming — more than most city high schools
- 47+ extracurricular clubs covering diverse interests from debate to cultural clubs to vocational auto
- Selective Classics Institute drawing 837 applicants for 56 seats, indicating high-achieving student population
- Academic proficiency data not provided — parents should request recent test scores and graduation/college outcomes
- Very low diversity — the student body is 73% White in a city where most schools are far more diverse
- Car dependency — limited transit access means driving is necessary; this is not a walkable or subway-accessible neighborhood
- Large school (3,700+ students) may feel overwhelming for some freshmen transitioning from smaller middle schools
- Neighborhood is geographically isolated on Staten Island's south shore — commute times can be long from other parts of the borough
Based on 2024-2025 data
School SummaryDistrict 31
Tottenville High School is the flagship comprehensive high school in District 31's southern Staten Island footprint. While peer schools in the district are primarily elementary schools (P.S. 35 at 99/100, Naples Street at 97/100), Tottenville represents the upper-secondary option for this affluent, family-dense area. The school stands out for its exceptional culture and climate metrics, which exceed most district averages, particularly in family trust and teacher-reported instruction quality. The selective Classics Institute program also signals a different academic tier within the school.
The data provided does not include specific proficiency scores for Tottenville High School, making direct academic performance comparisons difficult. However, the school operates within District 31, where average ELA and Math proficiency both hover around 61%. Given the school's selective programs like the Classics Institute (which drew 837 applicants for 56 seats), there appears to be an academic tier within the school that attracts high-achieving students. The lack of visible test score data means parents should inquire directly about academic performance and college outcomes.
The survey data paints a remarkably positive picture of school culture. Parent satisfaction (92%), parent-teacher trust (94%), and parent-principal trust (96%) all indicate families feel heard and valued. Teachers give exceptional marks for instruction quality (98%) and report strong collegial trust (92%), with teacher-principal trust at 90%. Discipline is notably light — just 7 suspensions total, well below the district average suspension rate of 0.44%. This suggests a school where expectations are clear, relationships are strong, and the day-to-day environment feels supportive rather than punitive.
Tottenville draws heavily from its neighborhood demographics: 73% White, 14% Hispanic, 9% Asian, with only 2% Black students. This is a departure from more diverse parts of Staten Island and the city overall (diversity index of 48% versus citywide averages). The economic need index of 36.9% is notably lower than many city schools, reflecting the neighborhood's affluence (median household income $118,500, 79.5% homeownership). About 23% of students have IEPs, aligning with typical citywide rates.
Tottenville sits in one of Staten Island's most family-friendly and safest neighborhoods. The area scores 87.36 for safety, well above city averages, with low crime density. The family density score of 65.52 reflects many households with children. However, transit access is extremely limited (19.92) — this is a car-dependent area, and families should expect driving to be necessary for most commutes. The education orientation score of 68.58 suggests a community that values schools. Home values median at $800,899, indicating a comfortable, established residential neighborhood.
This area is not walkable in the urban sense — the transit score of 19.92 reflects very limited public transportation options. Families will need a car for most daily logistics, and the school draws students from across southern Staten Island.
Survey Results
NYC School Survey (2025) · 1827 families responded (50% rate)
Programs & Activities
Admissions Demand
The Marine Corps JROTC program is co-sponsored by the Department of Education and the US Marine Corps. The curriculum is divided into three areas: academic, military, and physical fitness, and is designed to provide students with a sense of leadership and self-discipline.
This four-year program is designed to challenge those students who are not only strong in the humanities and language areas, but also interested in pursuing careers in these or related professions. This is a four-year rigorous program, that requires a serious commitment adhering to the guidelines of the four-year curriculum. In addition to fulfilling all high school requirements, students in this program are required to study languages other than English, including Latin and Spanish or Italian.
This four-year program is designed to challenge students who are strong in math and science and are interested in pursuing careers in these or related professions. This is a four-year rigorous program, that requires a serious commitment adhering to the guidelines of the 4 year curriculum. In addition to fulfilling all high school requirements, students take a minimum of two college-level science classes and one year of college-level math.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
NYC DOE InfoHub · 2022-23
Economic Need & Special Populations
Discipline
NYSED Student & Educator Database
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Tottenville High School a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for Tottenville High School yet on Motley. It's a public school serving grades 9 to 12 in Annadale-Huguenot-Prince's Bay-Woodrow.
- What grades does Tottenville High School serve?
- Tottenville High School serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into Tottenville High School?
- Tottenville High School is a screened school — it admits by application, weighing grades, attendance, and sometimes a test or interview.
- Is Tottenville High School public, charter, or private?
- Tottenville High School is a public school in NYC Community School District 31.
- What neighborhood is Tottenville High School in?
- Tottenville High School is in Annadale-Huguenot-Prince's Bay-Woodrow, Staten Island.
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