Rota (island)

Rota (Chamorro: Luta) also known as the "peaceful island", is the southernmost island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and the second southernmost of the Marianas Archipelago. It lies approximately 40 miles north-northeast of the United States territory of Guam. Songsong village is the largest and most populated followed by Sinapalo village (Sinapalu). In 1521, the first European to see Rota, was the lookout on Magellan's ship Victoria, Lope Navarro. However, Magellan's Armada of three ships didn't stop until they reached Guam, so the first European to arrive in Rota (in 1524), was Spanish navigator Juan Sebastian Elcano, who annexed it together with the rest of the Marianas Archipelago on behalf of the Crown of Spain. Rota has diverse flora and fauna. The current mayor is Melchor A. Mendiola, a local businessman.

Geography

Rota is approximately 11 miles (17 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) wide. Its coastline is about 38 miles (62 km) long. The highest point on Rota is Mt. Manira which is 1,625 feet (495 m) high. Rota is 47 miles (76 km) north of Guam, and is 63 miles (101 km) south of Tinian and is 73 miles (117 km) south of Saipan.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System operates public schools.

Rota has three public schools:

Rota High School (only high school on Rota) is located at the Liyo Area in Songsong village.

Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior High School (formerly known as Rota Junior High School) is located in Songsong village.

Sinapalo Elementary School is located in Sinapalo village.

Rota's elementary school and junior high school (middle school) were formerly located in the same area and shared class buildings at Songsong village. After the new elementary school was built in Sinapalo, the Songsong village school ground was reopened as Rota Junior High. In 2010, the junior high school was renamed for the former Commissioner of Education, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos.

Rota has two private schools:

Eskuelan San Francisco De Borja (ESFDB): Prep-9th Grade (Located in Songsong Village)

Grace Christian Academy (GCA): Prep-9th Grade (Located in Sinapalo Village)