About Rockland
Location
Rockland is a small, tight-knit community of approximately 17,000 persons. It is located 15 miles southeast of Boston and about 15 miles from the coast. Living in Rockland, you get the best of both worlds—an easy commute to Boston and only a 30-40 minute drive to some of the state’s most beautiful beaches. People who live in Rockland love the convenience of having Target, Stop & Shop, Big Y World Class Market, Derby Street Shops, and the MBTA Commuter Rail nearby. They also enjoy having Home Depot, CVS, Walgreens, and Highway Access right in town.
Rockland Schools
The Rockland Public School System is a PK-12 district. There are approximately 2,179 students with a 12.9 to 1 student-teacher ratio. There are currently 5 school buildings—R. Stewart Esten School, Jefferson School, Memorial Park School, John W. Rogers Middle School, and Rockland High School. However, Rockland is planning to build a new, 760 student elementary school on “the oval” between the current Memorial Park School and the Rogers Middle School, scheduled to open in the Fall of 2023. The school will be located on a central campus near the Middle and High schools. The new school will replace the Jefferson and Memorial Park Schools and house all Rockland students in grades 1-4. The Jefferson School will be taken down and the land will be cleared and turned over to the Parks Department. The Memorial Park School will be removed to make room for a new synthetic turf field. As part of the Rockland Elementary School Building Project, the Esten school will be transformed into an early childhood center for pre-school and district-wide kindergarten.
John W. Rogers Middle School was built in 2013 has about 704 students in grades 5-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. Rockland High School was comprehensively renovated in 2013 and houses 586 students in grades 9-12. The Middle School and High School share core facilities, including a 120-seat lecture hall and 8,400 sq. ft. of health and physical education space. Programming for both schools addressed 21st century learning with a focus on the STEM disciplines.
For more in-depth information about the Rockland Public School System, visit the Rockland Public Schools Website or check out Rockland’s School District Profile on the Massachusetts Government Website.
Things to Do in Rockland
Restaurants
Rockland offers a wide array of restaurants and bars including Lucca, Mineiros Brazilian Steakhouse, Players Sports Bar & Grill. Rockland also has one of the area’s best breakfast spots, Jac’s Café, known for its amazing homemade donuts. There are some great take-out options in Rockland including Themis Pizza, Spicy Edamame (Sushi/Japanese/Chinese), and Little Bangkok (Thai Restaurant) to name a few. Rockland is also home to the delicious MaGoo’s Ice Cream Shop.
Activities
There’s plenty to do in Rockland. If you enjoy getting outdoors, you’ll love walking at Thompson Pond and Twin Ponds Trail System, the Rockland Rail Trail, and the Rockland Town Forest. There’s fun for all ages at Hartsuff Park. Hartsuff has a playground, ball fields, a sandy bottom swimming hole, picnic area, walking trails, an 18-hole disc golf course. Rockland also has a senior center with a clubhouse and an outdoor pickleball court. There are two golf courses in Rockland—the Rockland Golf Course and the Harmon Golf and Fitness Club—and a great mini-golf course at McGoo’s. The Rockland Park and Recreation Department and the Rockland Town Library also offer a variety of activities and programs for children and residents throughout the year.
Community Events
Rockland hosts several special community-wide events each year. The Rockland Christmas Festival which takes place in the town center is a highlight of the holiday season. Then Rockland kicks off the summer right with a Rockland Day Celebration each June. This event includes free children's activities, arts & crafts, live bands, food trucks, a double elimination whiffle ball tournament, and a spectacular fireworks display. There are many opportunities to meet people and get involved in the Rockland community. Residents that are new to town will quickly feel at home.
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