The Manhasset Secondary School stands as the principal pillar upon which the town’s character and reputation lay; in academics, arts, and athletics, the institution is one both reflective of and responsible for our community’s legacy.

By directive of the Works Progress Administration, construction of the building itself began in 1934. With design plans from architecture firm Tooker and Marsh, associate architect Roger H. Bullard (himself of Manhasset) and contractor John H. Esile & Co. oversaw the completion of the project through 1939. While the original structure remains almost entirely preserved (the interior main hallway and auditorium underwent restoration in 2009), the school has since been subject to numerous extensions, including the most recent addition of a separate building designed for administrative purposes. At present, the building is awaiting recognition on the National Register of Historic Places.

Manhasset Secondary School routinely places among the top 100 high schools in America, with annual representation at nation scholastic science competitions, among them I-SWEEEP, ISEF, and WAC Foundation Lighting Science Fair. The school’s music programs consistently earn honors in state NYSSMA adjudications, its sports teams– most notable boys’ lacrosse, girls’ lacrosse, and crew– securing state and regional titles.

Notable alumni include NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown, MLB pitcher Danny Barnes, actor Ted Bessell, Columbia professor Jack C. Coffee, professional lacrosse player John Gagliardi, dean of Albany Medical College Nancy E. Gary, actor Ken Howard, architect Steve Lesser, painter Barbara Prey, author Vicki Robin, and attorney Ira Lee Sorkin.