OUR MISSION

Rockhouse Foundation transforms the places where Jamaica’s children learn and supports the great people who teach them.

Since its establishment in 2004 the Rockhouse Foundation has invested over US$10 million to help improve schools in western Jamaica.

The Foundation has completely transformed and modernized six schools: Moreland Hill Primary and Infant School, Negril All Age School, Negril Basic School, Little Bay All Age and Infant School, Bunch of Stars E.C.I., and Savanna-la-Mar Inclusive Infant Academy (Sav Inclusive), in addition to the complete renovation and expansion of the Negril Community Library.

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, with schools closed and communities struggling, the Foundation pivoted to provide emergency food supplies to 1000 people weekly through our partner network, with over 450 tons of food staples distributed during the 20 months schools were closed.

Rockhouse Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) based in New York State. In 2012, The Foundation also established a consolidated companion entity in Jamaica under the Registered Charities act, Rockhouse Foundation Jamaica, as a vehicle for local donations and a more efficient strategy for tax-exempt purchases in Jamaica.

OUR PROJECTS

Rockhouse Foundation partnerships are driven by extensive dialogue with community members before a scope of work is mutually developed. Once a building, renovation or development project is complete, The Foundation ’s ongoing support typically falls into several categories:

• Free school breakfast, and lunch

• Wage subsidy for instructional personnel to achieve good student:teacher ratios

• As needed assistance with utility costs, e.g., water, electricity

• Facilities repairs and maintenance as needed, e.g., furniture, plumbing, electrical, etc.

• eSpark, a computer-based literacy and numeracy program, with stable internet and devices for all children.

The Rockhouse Foundation typically undertakes a new significant capital development project every few years.

SAVANNA-LA-MAR INCLUSIVE INFANT ACADEMY (SAV INCLUSIVE)

In 2017 Rockhouse Foundation opened Jamaica’s only public school serving children with and without disabilities in a full inclusion setting. This is the first project the Foundation has conceived and built from the ground up, supporting a chronically underserved and stigmatized population. The Foundation underwrote the design and construction, and maintains the facilities, with the Ministry of Education and Youth underwriting the faculty, the therapeutic staff and some support personnel. With the success of Sav Inclusive, in 2020, the Foundation entered an agreement with the Ministry to expand the school through high school, with adjoining grounds on an expanded but contiguous footprint.

Sav Inclusive currently has 225 age three through grade 4 students, with an anticipated ultimate population of 650 in pre-K through high school when fully completed. Sav Inclusive's waitlist exceeds its current enrolment, reflecting its reputation and the enormous need for its unique inclusive model.

Leadership and staff emphasize 'Love, Family and High Expectations', along with quality instruction and both physical and speech language therapies.

MORELAND HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL

After decades of neglect, the Moreland Hill Primary School had an enrollment of just 32 students and was slated for closure by Jamaica’s Ministry of education. Over the summer of 2013, the Foundation completed a total transformation of the Moreland Hill Primary School, alongside a dynamic new principal, welcomed 120 pre-K to 6th grade students who had previously traveled long distances in search of a better education that all children deserve. Since that initial investment the Foundation has continued to maintain and support the school adding a new computer room, classrooms to accommodate growing enrollment and sanitized water harvesting. Rockhouse Foundation continues its monthly financial support for ongoing maintenance, nutrition, teacher subsidy and the online learning platform, eSpark.

LITTLE BAY ALL AGE SCHOOL

The Little Bay All Age School, like the community, was full of promise but when the Rockhouse Foundation began its work in 2010 it had seen better days. The complete gut renovation and expansion ushered in a sense of pride and possibilities that are embedded in the school community today. A new technology center and teachers feed the minds, and a revitalized facility feeds the community spirit.

BUNCH OF STARS EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTITUTION

Rockhouse Foundation fully renovated and expanded Bunch of Stars School beginning in 2012-2013, providing new classroom space, kitchen and sanitation facilities, a secure compound, and a school garden. Bunch of Stars ECI currently has an enrollment of 47 children and is one of only 10% of pre-k schools nationwide, along with Sav Inclusive, to have achieved the arduous and prestigious Early Childhood Commission Certification status.

ST. PAUL'S PRIMARY

St. Paul's Primary received Food Distribution during the pandemic closure. Based on its experience with the school staff, leadership and community, St. Paul;s Primary was added to the Rockhouse Foundation network. Rockhouse Foundation assists St. Paul's Primary with repairs and upgrades, including major repairs to the kitchen, staff bathroom, drainage and facilities beautification. In addition to repurposing an unused classroom as the new computer room, the Foundation underwrites the eSpark coordinator, and purchase of 25 Chromebooks.

NEGRIL PUBLIC LIBRARY

In 2009, after extensive consultation and with the Jamaica Library Service and the “Friends of the Library” committee, the Rockhouse Foundation modernized and expanded the landmark structure, creating Negril's first new civic building in more than 40 years. Rockhouse Foundation undertook a complete renovation and expansion of the Negril Public Library. The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) underwrites most of the library's operating costs.