Beneath the Long Island sky sits Lawrence High School. It stands as a beacon of education in Cedarhurst, New York.
Lawrence High School first opened its doors in 1960. It is the sole public high school within the Lawrence Public Schools district. The school’s motto is “Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum”. It means “No Stepping Back”.
The school is located at 2 Reilly Road. Its location serves the communities of Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Inwood, and Atlantic Beach. It also includes sections of Woodsburgh, Woodmere, and East Atlantic Beach.
Lawrence High School currently enrolls around 807 students. The student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 12:1. This ensures students receive personalized attention. The teaching staff consists of 65.38 full-time equivalent educators.
Lawrence High School offers diverse programs. Work-study options are available. There is also an Outward Bound program affiliated with Hofstra University. Students can also earn college credits. They can take college-level courses through C.W. Post College and Syracuse University. The library got recognized. The New York State Education Commissioner named it an “Electronic Doorway Library”.
The Golden Tornado is Lawrence High School’s mascot. Royal blue and gold are the school colors. The yearbook is known as the Lawrencian. Students produce their own newspaper. It is called Mental Pabulum. One wonders who came up with that name.
Lawrence High School boasts a strong athletics program. The football team has won multiple championships. They secured Long Island Football Championships in 1995 and 2006. They also won the Long Island Class II title in 2006. Lawrence High School won consecutive Class III LIC titles in 2013 and 2014. The bowling team won the Conference 5 Title in 2006. The varsity gymnastics team also won a conference title in 2003.
The school even served as a filming location. The 2011 comedy “Win Win” used the Lawrence High School wrestling room.
Many notable individuals have walked its halls. Famous alumni include Lyle Alzado. He was an NFL defensive tackle. Mickey Hart the Grateful Dead percussionist also attended. Steve Madden, the shoe designer, is also an alumnus. Peggy Lipton, an actress, attended Lawrence High School. Tyler “Lil Tecca” Sharpe, a rapper, is also among the alumni.
Lawrence High School continues to uphold its motto. It encourages students to never retrace their steps. It inspires them to always move forward.