The City of New Rochelle "Queen City of the Sound" encompasses 10.4 square  miles with 9.3 miles of  waterfront. Just 25 minutes to New York  City. the land that is now New Rochelle was originally purchased from the Siwanoy Indians in 1655, but in 1688 it was purchased by the Huguenots as a land of religious freedom and named after their former French seacoast city, La Rochelle. the town was officially incorporated in 1899, making it one of the oldest cities in the Northeast. Thomas Paine, Author of Common Sense and other essays which profoundly affected the fate of our nation, chose New Rochelle at his home. People from nations throughout the world continue to be attracted to this community and to contribute to its vibrant mix of cultures. New Rochelle is home to nearly 70,000 residents.  Diversity is  its essence, with people of many backgrounds living in neighborhoods that  range from turn of the century Victorian to the very newest homes. Its innovative school system, together with top private schools, colleges and an important  medical center, make this sound shore community a stimulating, as well as  beautiful, place in which to live. New Rochelle's award-winning school  district offers a comprehensive  educational program. Each school  provides an environment sensitive to the  students' needs. A challenging  Kindergarten through 12th grade  curriculum, favorable class sizes and a  knowledgeable faculty with high  expectations enable students to gain the  knowledge, confidence and experience  necessary for success. In a recent special  education report,  the Wall Street Journal sited New Rochelle  School District as one of the top 20 in the nation.  the New Rochelle Public School System  celebrates change and tradition. It continues to  build on a history of excellence in providing  quality of education and equality of opportunity. Continuing education year-round for adults,  special services and programs for students and an  active Parent-Teacher Association in each public  school continue to improve the quality of life in the community. Several thousand students are  enrolled in lona College and the College of New  Rochelle. Private and Parochial Schools are also within its borders. The city has extensive recreational facilities and a host of programs for residents of all ages. Year-round activities include tennis (with 32 courts), biking, jogging and swimming. there are baseball, basketball and softball leagues and scouting programs for children and teens. there are also numerous athletic fields and picnic areas throughout the 30 parks, as well as an abundance of private beach and tennis clubs. New Rochelle also boasts one of the largest and finest municipal marinas on Long Island Sound with over 100% slips and 300 moorings. Culture With many celebrities and artists making it their home, New Rochelle has a history of high cultural standards. the spacious Public Library is the cultural center for theater, lectures and art exhibitions. the Wildcliff Center for the Arts, in addition to its art gallery, features both community theater and premier theatrical productions. New Rochelle offers convenient shopping at its many boutiques and specialty shops located along Main Street and North Avenue. Several popular continental and ethnic restaurants are located throughout New Rochelle, and the many beach clubs, with their water views, also house beautiful dining rooms.