Students in classroom during the first day of school
Students and Teachers walking from the bus line to the classroom
Students filing their paperwork in the classroom cubbies
Teacher helping a student with their schedule.

Updates and Events

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Safe and Open Schools Plan RPS 2021

Every week that goes by – if not every day – we learn more about the steps we need to take to keep our schools both safe and open amidst the continuing COVID pandemic. This memo outlines a number of adjustments to our Safe and Open Schools Plan that incorporate lessons we have learned in Rochester and evidence and guidance from experts and schools outside our district. 

Read More about Updated: Safe and Open Schools Plan

Fast Facts

Our mission is to inspire, challenge, and empower all students with the knowledge and skills required to reach their full potential, to contribute to future generations, and to become involved members of a global community.

As the 7th largest district in Minnesota we serve more than 17,400 students and continue to grow.

As one of the top three employers in Rochester, we currently employee over 3,000 staff members.

63.3% of our teachers hold a Master’s Degree or the equivalency.

We strive to provide our students with different opportunities for learning including early childhood education, quality neighborhood schools, district-wide programs and schools, alternative learning, and adult education.

In the 2017-2018 school year, we had a 4-year graduation rate of 87.01%, and our graduation rates continue to surpass the state average of 83.20%. Our three high schools combined had a 92% graduation rate.

Our district celebrates diversity with more than 80 spoken languages in our schools.

We offer four full-service community schools at Gage Elementary School, Riverside Central Elementary School, John Marshall High School, and Rochester Alternative Learning School.

Hawthorne Education Center offers Adult Basic Education, English as a second language, and college programs for our community members.