2026 GE Fall FAM Trip Stop 1: NY – Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School (LuHi) - Discover the Full Strength of This Established Lutheran Boarding High School in the U.S.!

If we were to sum up the biggest highlight of Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School (LuHi) in one sentence, it would be its unparalleled location. Nestled in the prime area of Brookville on Long Island’s North Shore, the school is just a one-hour drive from Manhattan. It offers tranquility away from urban bustle while retaining easy accessibility. Another remarkable advantage: LuHi’s boarding campus sits only a 5-minute drive from the main academic building, enabling a seamless transition between day and boarding life.

Our FAM Trip team visited this 32-acre Lutheran boarding high school. Founded in 1960 by a church group, LuHi is now in its 67th academic year. It enrolls roughly 480 students in Grades 6–12, drawing learners from over 60 school districts across New York, plus 36 international students representing 11 countries.

LuHi rolled out an exceptionally high-level reception for our visit. The Head of School and department leaders were all present to host us and provide guided tours throughout the day.

We spent a full day wandering the campus and touring academic, athletic and arts facilities, gaining a holistic sense of this American high school rooted in faith and academic excellence.

01 - A Warm Welcome | Premium Reception Speaks Volumes

School bus arrival and welcome ceremony with senior leadership

Our visiting team arrived by school bus, where LuHi’s host team had prepared an abundant welcome refreshment spread: fresh bagels, croissants and coffee beverages, immediately treating our advisor group to a thoughtful welcome upon arrival.

We were then ushered into the school’s newly renovated modern academic wing, upgraded two years prior. Senior leadership waited for us here: Kyle Giedt, Associate Director of Admissions overseeing international student applications; Janet Cleland, Director of Admissions & Communications who partners closely with agent collaborators; and Head of School John Buck himself, a distinguished LuHi Class of 2002 alumnus whose own child currently attends 7th grade at the school.

Having the Head of School lead and host the visit in person demonstrates the school’s high regard for its international partner community.

02 - The Gatsby Estate: Centuries of Faith and a Forward-Thinking Vision

From the Dering Howe Estate to the Five-Year Shine Strategic Plan

Our group then moved to the serene Prayer Chapel. On a pleasant New York autumn day with temperatures near 70°F, the school provided refreshments for our session.

Head of School John Buck served as our historian. LuHi sits on Long Island’s North Shore “Gold Coast”, the setting depicted in *The Great Gatsby*. The campus was originally the Dering Howe Estate. After roaring through the 1920s and enduring the Great Depression, a church group purchased this 32-acre property for $110,000 in the late 1950s. The school officially opened in 1960 and now marks its 67th year of operation.

The Head of School noted that once you drive down the front entrance driveway, outside noise fades away, replaced by a peaceful environment ideal for focused learning.

Every Wednesday, the entire school gathers for Chapel services. The school also organizes annual service trips: students travel to Florida to assist with hurricane recovery, repairing churches and distributing fresh produce, and embark on international mission work in Guatemala, Puerto Rico and beyond, turning faith into tangible action.

Beyond its history and spiritual foundation, LuHi maintains strong momentum. In February 2020, it launched its five-year “Shine” Strategic Plan covering 2020–2025. Two years ago, the school hit an all-time enrollment record of 165 new students. It has now moved into the “Shine On” phase, expanding initiatives centered around three core Horizons.

The Head of School introduced two key administrators who steer daily operations: Laura Callahan, Assistant Head of School for Academics with over 30 years of educational and administrative experience, and Chris Reno, Assistant Head of School for Student Life, a former history teacher who has served at LuHi for nearly 30 years.

03 - Rigorous Academics | Individualized Instruction

75-Minute Block Scheduling, High-Value AP Courses & Targeted Language Support

All LuHi middle and upper school students receive personal lockers to store belongings before and after class. The campus features dedicated AP classrooms, chemistry and science labs, and upper-grade exclusive study spaces.

Academically and in terms of student conduct, LuHi follows the philosophy: build relationships first, then foster learning. Classes use a 75-minute block schedule to nurture deep focus, a valuable skill in the age of short-form video. Mobile phones are strictly prohibited from 8:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

LuHi currently offers 19 AP electives. A score of 3 or higher earns college credit. In 2025, 85% of AP test-takers scored a 3 or above, and the average class size is only 16 students. Grade 12 students must complete a Capstone project that showcases academic research and public presentation skills.

For graduation, students need 3 credits in either Spanish or French, including AP-level offerings. Sixth graders start with a bilingual rotation experience. International students with limited English proficiency may take Foundations of English to satisfy the language requirement instead of a second foreign language, with one-on-one and peer tutoring available.

04 - Athletics Standout | Balancing Academics and Competition

Basketball, Tennis and Football Excellence

Athletics are one of LuHi’s greatest strengths.

Sports teams compete at regional and national levels. The national basketball program is especially competitive, competing in the same league as nationally ranked Montverde Academy. The girls’ tennis, football and softball teams have also earned multiple national honors.

Over half of the student body participates in athletics, alongside extracurricular sports clubs such as cross country. The school highlighted two international students, JD and Esteban, who have excelled in its elite basketball program.

LuHi basketball boasts an impressive record: the boys’ team has won 8 NY State Federation championships, while the girls’ team has claimed 4 titles. In 2011, the school secured both boys’ and girls’ state championships.

There are two indoor gymnasiums on campus. The main gym is bright and spacious, lined with championship banners. Gym 2, completed in 2006, further elevates training and spectator experiences.

Two permanently retired jerseys draw special attention on the Hall of Fame wall: one worn by Celeste Taylor, the 2019 McDonald’s All-American who later attended Duke University and The Ohio State University; the other belongs to V.J. Edgecombe, Class of 2024, now an NBA player with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Adjacent to Gym 2, the dedicated Training Room is fully equipped with heavy strength-training gear for varsity teams and student fitness. A full-time athletic trainer is on campus to provide sport-specific coaching for seasonal teams including tennis, volleyball and lacrosse, alongside sports injury rehabilitation support for all students.

05 - Innovative Learning Spaces: From the Historic Library to the Engineering Lab

Guided Deep Dive with Student Ambassadors

Towards the end of our itinerary, three outstanding student ambassadors led our extended campus tour: McKenna, Grade 12 tennis team captain; Bobby, a Chinese international student who founded the boys’ volleyball team; and Nick, a lacrosse player.

We first visited the newly completed $15 million Humanities wing, with open walls and abundant natural light, housing AP Literature and Government & Economics classrooms with smart interactive whiteboards. Next we toured the historic library, retaining original features from the old Gilded Age mansion: the grand dining hall doorway and antique food-service trays. This library also serves as the regular practice space for the school’s robotics team.

The music room features digital pianos and percussion instruments, with a wall of awards celebrating choir and band achievements. The arts floor includes professional painting and sculpture studios, plus an independent Art Lab for upperclassmen and a high-tech STEM Lab. Students may pitch original innovation projects and apply for school funding to develop them over a semester or an entire academic year.

In the Engineering & Woodshop Lab fitted with 3D printers and saws, faculty demonstrated how to build a Da Vinci Bridge, merging physics, chemistry, mathematics and hands-on building skills in a memorable lesson. Mathematics requirements are equally rigorous: students must earn 4 math credits before graduation, with courses extending to the AP level.

06 - Full-Spectrum Support: College Counseling & Outstanding Matriculation Outcomes

Middle School Career Exploration to 11th-Grade Individual College Planning

LuHi’s college counseling framework spans the entire student journey. Starting in middle school, students build career and academic awareness. In Grades 9 and 10, counselors lead career exploration activities. College guidance accelerates in Grade 11, with private one-on-one college-planning meetings for every student and family; overseas parents may join remotely via Zoom. An annual fall College Fair brings admissions officers from many top U.S. universities to campus for in-person conversations with students.

When asked about his college goals, one Grade 12 student ambassador shared confidently that he aims for Brown University and Dartmouth College, and is also applying to New York University.

LuHi’s college acceptances across the most recent three graduating cohorts (2022–2025) include elite institutions such as Brown, Cornell, Duke, Georgetown, NYU, Rutgers, Syracuse, Tufts, Vanderbilt, as well as UC Berkeley and UC San Diego. Among the 69 graduates of the Class of 2025, 96% matriculated at four-year universities — a standout record the school proudly shares with international families.

Notably, school leadership shared during our discussion that they are open to exploring financial aid opportunities for international students, enabling more qualified learners to join the LuHi community.

07 - Comfortable Boarding & Dining: Living on the LIU Post Campus

Dorms just a 5-minute drive away, all meal costs included

Returning to LuHi’s signature advantage: its location. Boarding students reside in dormitories on the LIU Post campus, merely a 5-minute drive from LuHi’s main academic building. Boarders and day students access identical academic resources, a rare perk among U.S. boarding high schools.

Long Island University (LIU), founded in 1926, is one of New York State’s long-established private comprehensive universities. Its Post campus originated as the Post family’s Hillwood Estate, acquired by the university in 1951 and renovated over decades. Today it spans more than 300 acres with 47 buildings and three historic mansion structures, making it the largest campus within the LIU system.

LuHi provides dedicated shuttle buses for safe, regular transit between the two sites, with 24-hour residential staff on duty in the dorms. Rooms are double occupancy, furnished with extra-long twin beds, desks, wardrobes, air conditioning and heating. As our visiting team remarked: “The bedrooms have AC and heating — air conditioning!” Common lounges with foosball and other recreational amenities are available within the dorm complex.

Boarding students enjoy full access to LIU Post’s Hillwood Commons, Esports Lounge, fitness center, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, library and more. Starbucks, Subway and other dining outlets are within walking distance, and three golf courses lie nearby for extracurricular pursuits.

For meals, the Crusader Cafe on LuHi’s main campus is complimentary for international boarding students, with all fees bundled into the boarding package. It serves fresh baked goods, a full salad bar and fruit station for balanced daily meals. Weekday dinners and all weekend meals take place at dining halls on the LIU Post campus, featuring fruit stations, pizza, salad, hot food and beverage stations with abundant choices. Over 90% of meals are included for boarding students, covering all residential dining expenses.

From senior-level hospitality to in-depth tours across every corner of campus, this FAM Trip visit left us with a clear impression: founded in 1960 on a Long Island estate from the Gatsby era, LuHi has grown over 67 years into a vibrant learning community excelling in academics, athletics, arts, faith-based education and college counseling, guided by a clear strategic vision and whole-child philosophy.

If you seek premium educational resources close to New York City and hope to grow academically and athletically on a campus that blends rich tradition with modern energy, LuHi deserves a spot on your school shortlist.

Stay tuned for more on-the-ground insights from our visits to outstanding U.S. schools.