Innovating Education While Honoring Tradition

Spearheading education for a rapidly changing world through cutting-edge initiatives, collaborative planning, and a community-focused approach

The Northport-East Northport Union Free School District, located in Long Island, New York, is an educational institution preparing its students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. The district emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and service, cultivating growth within and beyond classroom walls while maintaining a strong connection to the broader community.

“Being future-focused is at the heart of what we do,” says Dr. Dave Moyer, the district’s Superintendent of Schools. “Our goal is to balance the immediate needs of students and families while enabling a brighter future for everyone involved.” One of the district’s defining characteristics is its emphasis on “life readiness,” distinct from traditional school success measures. “We talk about preparing students to thrive in life, not just excel academically,” he explains.

Moyer joined the district just over a year ago and brought his vision of future-focused education to life early on by leading a team to the Future Focused Schools Conference in Washington, D.C. “It was important for me to start building a foundation for how we approach our work,” he notes. The experience helped align the district’s goals with national educational trends while reinforcing its unique community strengths.

What struck Moyer upon his arrival was the district’s unparalleled sense of service and connection. “From the start, I was amazed at how deeply ingrained community involvement is here,” he shares. This ethos extends from students supporting local organizations to older students mentoring younger ones. The district’s culture of leadership and service is a cornerstone of its identity, one that Moyer proudly champions as a hallmark of their work.

The district’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. “We presented at the Future Focused Schools Conference and the State Superintendent conference,” says Moyer, reflecting on the opportunity to share their model with a broader audience. The presentation, titled Building Life Ready Graduates through a Culture of Service, showcased the district’s efforts to integrate community values into its educational framework, a feature Moyer calls a “true calling card.”

Early Childhood and Social-Emotional Learning

The Northport-East Northport Union Free School District recognizes that the journey to academic success begins long before kindergarten. Early childhood initiatives, bolstered by partnerships with community organizations, form the cornerstone of nurturing well-rounded learners. These programs emphasize academic readiness and the social and emotional skills critical for thriving in school and beyond.

“Our Universal Pre-K program collaborates with five community-based organizations,” explains Dr. Dana Boshnack, the district’s Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “This year, we centralized the screening process across all these providers to ensure consistency, even as each facility maintains some flexibility in their curriculum.” These efforts include benchmarking and aligning assessments with state and federal guidelines, allowing the district to monitor progress while building a supportive learning environment.

The district’s holistic growth efforts extend into its K-5 classrooms, where teachers are fully trained in the Responsive Classroom approach. “This method explicitly teaches social skills,” Boshnack notes. “From morning meetings to structured activities, teachers use developmentally appropriate strategies that engage students in academics and interpersonal interactions.” By providing choices and adapting to individual needs, the district creates a learning environment that respects students’ developmental journey.

One of the district’s defining strengths lies in its focus on cultivating a sense of belonging. “You’ll see it in every classroom,” says Boshnack, describing practices like greeting each other by name and making eye contact. These seemingly small acts are woven into the fabric of the school day, reinforcing a sense of community and mutual respect. “It starts young—teaching children the value of connection and communication—and extends throughout our schools and the district as a whole.”

Career Preparation and Student Enrichment

Northport-East Northport Union Free School District’s robust offerings extend beyond traditional academics, equipping students with tangible skills and real-world experiences. “We’re fortunate to have a community that supports our schools,” says Moyer, highlighting the district’s extensive range of programs. “At the high school level, we offer a wide array of electives and 235 clubs and activities. These allow students to discover and pursue what truly excites them.”

The district’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program exemplifies this philosophy. “Our IB capstone projects focus on community action research,” Moyer explains. “We stress relevance and interdisciplinary approaches across grade levels, ensuring students engage with authentic learning experiences.” In addition, academies such as the Academy of Finance and the Academy of Information Technology connect students to the business world through internships, fostering skills beyond the classroom.

Beyond career-focused academies, the district’s programs span a range of pathways to higher education and professional growth. “We offer dual-credit opportunities in 40 to 50 high school courses, IB diplomas, Project Lead the Way, and Advanced Placement options,” says Boshnack.

The district’s reputation is firmly rooted in its fine arts program, which Moyer describes as a “huge source of pride.” With 300 of the high school’s 1,400 students participating in the marching band and numerous others involved in stage productions and musical events, the arts are central to the district’s identity. “Our performances aren’t just school events—they’re part of the community, adding something special to every occasion,” he notes.

In preparing students for the workforce, Moyer emphasizes the importance of essential skills outlined in reports from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey and Company. “Academic preparation is necessary but not sufficient,” he states. “Employers are equally focused on interpersonal skills, leadership, digital fluency, and stewardship. These need to be reflected in our curriculum.”

The district encourages educators to design interdisciplinary, relevant experiences to instill these attributes. “We want students to engage authentically with material that prepares them for tests and for real life,” says Moyer. While shifting the system takes time, the district is making strides to integrate these critical skills into its offerings, ensuring students are equipped to meet the demands of an ever-changing world.

Technology Integration and Future-Focused Teaching

In an age of rapid technological advancements, Northport-East Northport Union Free School District ensures that its classrooms anticipate the future students will enter. “We are a one-on-one district with Chromebooks and have Promethean boards in every classroom,” says Moyer. “But technology isn’t just about the tools—it’s about how we use them.” The district has introduced an in-house professional development system that allows teachers to earn credits while focusing on critical topics like technology integration.

AI is also being positioned as a resource for teachers to reduce workload and increase efficiency. “As teachers’ jobs grow more complex, we want them to see AI as a time-saver,” Moyer explains. “It can streamline lesson planning and other responsibilities, giving teachers a bit of their lives back.” The district has launched an innovation grant program to encourage fresh ideas, allowing teachers to apply for funding to implement creative solutions in their classrooms.

Boshnack adds that the district has taken structural steps to align its technology strategy with its future-focused vision. “We reorganized to create seven Future Forward Teachers (FFTs) on special assignment,” she explains. These technology coaches are spread across the district, with one assigned to each elementary, middle, and high school. “Their role is twofold: to coach teachers on integrating technology to enhance learning and to act as STEM facilitators, particularly at the elementary level.”

Technology is being utilized not only to improve classroom instruction but also to personalize it. “Tools like Magic School or ChatGPT allow teachers to customize lessons faster and more effectively,” Boshnack explains. The FFTs also help educators leverage real-time data to tailor their teaching strategies. “It’s about using data to inform instruction, addressing the needs of students who aren’t meeting standards, and challenging those who already are.”

Investing in Spaces and Partnerships

Northport-East Northport Union Free School District has directed its capital infrastructure investments toward transforming existing spaces into innovative, collaborative environments that mirror the needs of modern education. “We’ve focused on renovating our spaces to align with the educational philosophy we’re advancing,” says Moyer. “Declining enrollment has allowed the district to reimagine underutilized areas, such as converting a high school room into a Google-inspired modernized space with equipment that supports teamwork and project-based learning,” he adds.

The district has also outfitted all elementary schools with STEM rooms, eliminating the need for mobile STEM labs and ensuring year-round access to hands-on learning. “We’ve increased the frequency with which kids can engage in STEM activities,” says Boshnack. “For example, students use virtual reality to design sculptures in the air and then bring them to life with 3D printing.” New tools, like CNC routers and lasers, have further enhanced these experiences, bridging creativity with technical skill development.

The district is working to transform its libraries into true media centers. “We’re scaling up virtual reality and encouraging our media specialists to drive this transformation,” says Moyer. These spaces, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, are designed to inspire creativity while supporting more traditional educational needs.

Outdoor learning is also gaining momentum. “We’re leveraging outdoor spaces in creative ways,” says Moyer. For example, Northport High School has a Greenhouse that hosts fourth grade students for an annual in-house field trip. One notable project involves students participating in Long Island’s Oyster Reclamation initiative. “It’s all about making learning authentic, whether it’s working on an environmental project or developing a new skill in the classroom,” he adds, emphasizing the district’s holistic approach to education.

Partnerships with public and private entities enhance the district’s offerings. “Our relationship with Curriculum Associates and their i-Ready platform helps us personalize instruction and target areas for growth,” Moyer explains. Additionally, the district works with the Successful Practices Network, a national organization that provides research and consulting to support future-focused education.

Global opportunities are also being introduced. Boshnack highlights the district’s recent partnership with EF Educational Tours, which is sending students to a leadership summit in Berlin this summer. “They’ll collaborate with peers from around the world on projects, bringing back innovative ideas and perspectives,” she says.

Strategic Planning and Collaborative Growth

As Northport-East Northport Union Free School District looks ahead, its leadership prioritizes thoughtful planning and collaboration to outmaneuver emerging challenges. “One of our key priorities is involving the community in developing a strategic plan,” says Moyer. Declining enrollment, state-level financial uncertainties, and changes stemming from local developments, such as the impact of a nearby power plant, necessitate a comprehensive approach. “We need to have a community-wide conversation about what we value most and how to allocate resources to preserve and enhance what makes this district unique.”

Balancing these financial realities with the district’s innovative educational vision will require transparency and adaptability. Moyer highlights the importance of aligning resource allocation with shared values and a long-range plan that reflects community priorities. “This process will help us protect what people are most proud of while identifying areas to focus on for the future,” he explains.

The district’s second major focus is strengthening Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to support teacher collaboration. “As the demands on educators grow, particularly with the push for more personalized learning, collaboration is essential,” Moyer notes. The district aims to elevate teaching and learning across all grade levels by nurturing an environment where educators can share strategies, refine practices, and innovate together.

This dual focus—engaging the community in strategic decision-making and empowering educators through collaboration—encapsulates the district’s forward-thinking approach. Northport-East Northport is maintaining its strengths while preparing thoughtfully for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Through shared vision and collective effort, the district continues to position itself as a leader in educational excellence.

AT A GLANCEName: Northport-East Northport Union Free School District

What: A future focused school district emphasizing innovative education, community collaboration, and holistic student development

Where: Northport and East Northport, Long Island, New York

Website: https://www.northport.k12.ny.us/