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School district comparison · MCAS 2026 · other data 2024-25

Hanover vs Rockland Schools

How the two districts, about 3 miles apart, compare on test scores, high school results, classrooms, spending and housing.

The short answer

  • Overall: Hanover ranks higher, #70 to Rockland's #199 of 328 Massachusetts districts.
  • MCAS 2026: Hanover students score higher: ELA 56% vs 33%, Math 56% vs 34% met expectations. Statewide: 41% and 41%.
  • SAT: Hanover averages 73 points higher (1137 vs 1064).
  • Spending: Rockland spends $4,346 more per student ($22,421 vs $18,075).
  • Homes: Homes cost more in Hanover: single-family homes average $814K vs $548K. The average tax bill is $10,149 in Hanover and $7,603 in Rockland.

MCAS results, 2026

Share of students meeting or exceeding expectations, all tested grades combined. Both districts test grades 3–10; "State" is the statewide figure for the same grades.

English Language ArtsHanover ahead
Hanover
56%
Rockland
33%
State
41%
MathHanover ahead
Hanover
56%
Rockland
34%
State
41%
ELA by year
YearHanoverRocklandState
202656%33%41%
202557%38%42%
202458%39%41%
202360%41%44%
202256%41%43%
202162%46%48%
Math by year
YearHanoverRocklandState
202656%34%41%
202558%35%41%
202460%41%42%
202359%42%42%
202255%38%40%
202154%32%35%

No test in 2020. Statewide 10th-grade results dropped after 2024, when passing the MCAS stopped being a graduation requirement.

High school results

Average SATHanover ahead
Hanover
1137
Rockland
1064
MA avg
1113
AP exams scored 3+Hanover ahead
Hanover
83.8%
Rockland
77.6%
MA avg
69.1%
Four-year graduation rateHanover ahead
Hanover
98.9%
Rockland
86.2%
MA avg
92.4%

Averages of each district's ranked high schools. "MA avg" is the average of all districts with high school data.

Classrooms, teachers & spending

Average class sizeHigher in Hanover
Hanover
19.8
Rockland
18.3
MA avg
17.3
Attendance rateHanover ahead
Hanover
94.8%
Rockland
93%
MA avg
93.7%
Chronically absentmissed 10%+ of daysLower in Hanover
Hanover
10%
Rockland
19.2%
MA avg
16.9%
Teachers who stayedfrom last yearRockland ahead
Hanover
82.2%
Rockland
90.9%
MA avg
84.7%
Spending per studentHigher in Rockland
Hanover
$18,075
Rockland
$22,421
MA median
$21,765
Average teacher salaryHigher in Hanover
Hanover
$104,046
Rockland
$93,399
MA median
$91,393

Spending is total per-pupil expenditure from all sources in FY2024. Class size is the average across all classes in the district.

Students

HanoverRockland
Students in classes2,5792,214
English learners1.7%12.3%
Students with disabilities22.2%19.5%
White90.6%63.5%
Asian2%2%
Hispanic/Latino3.7%22.4%
Black/African American1.4%6.8%
Multi-race2.4%4.5%

Homes & taxes

Average single-family home valueHigher in Hanover
Hanover
$814K
Rockland
$548K
MA median
$588K
Average property tax billHigher in Hanover
Hanover
$10,149
Rockland
$7,603
MA median
$6,814
Hanover
Plymouth County · South Shore
Avg single-family home value$814KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$10,149MA median $6,814
Tax rate$12.50 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$70,508MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school94.9%
Free cash reserves4.6% of budget
Rockland
Plymouth County · South Shore
Avg single-family home value$548KMA median $588K
Avg property tax bill$7,603MA median $6,814
Tax rate$13.90 per $1,000MA median $12.40
Income per person$37,804MA median $47,872
Local kids in public school93.6%
Town bond ratingAA
Free cash reserves5.8% of budget

What could you afford in either town?

FY2026 averages for single-family homes from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue; for a district with several towns, the comparison uses the average of its towns. Assessed values usually run below recent sale prices.

The schools

Hanover
High schools · rank of 335
Hanover HighSAT 1137#82 B+
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Center Elementary#224 B
Rockland
High schools · rank of 335
Rockland Senior HighSAT 1064#212 C+
Elementary schools · rank of 895
Phelps Elementary School#482 B-