"The pandemic was a major setback for student learning, but it was not the beginning of the problem. Research by Stanford University’s Sean Reardon and his colleagues shows that student achievement in the United States began declining around 2013, years before COVID-19 disrupted our schools.
By spring 2025, average achievement in grades 3–8 remained nearly half a grade level below 2019 levels in both reading and mathematics. International assessments reveal a similar challenge: Between 2018 and 2022, average scores on the global PISA test fell sharply in both subjects. Why were students losing ground even before the pandemic?"
Read more from Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/3230659
Century will be performing "Little Shop of Horrors" - Buy tickets at https://bit.ly/century-theatre-tickets
John Marshall will be performing "Frozen" - Buy tickets at https://bit.ly/JM-theatre-tickets
Mayo will be performing "Chicago - High School Edition" - Buy tickets at https://bit.ly/mayo-theatre-tickets
Though it's been rainy outside today, one cafeteria was aglow with orange flowers and electric candlelight. Riverside's 2nd grade Spanish Immersion class showed off the ofrendas (alters) they made for Dia de los Muertos. Parents crowded around the tables to see the beautiful and unique ways the students honored their departed loved ones.
Do you have a student who will be in kindergarten for the 2027-2028 school year? This month, we are kicking off our kindergarten information sessions. We have a few sessions taking place today, Monday, November 2:
- Spanish Immersion at Riverside, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- Longfellow Elementary, from 5-6 p.m.
Join us to learn more about these schools, meet the principals, and see what your future school will look like on the inside! We can't wait to meet you! Learn more about kindergarten at RPS at www.rochesterschools.org/onmyway2k.
The RPS School Board on Tuesday, October 20, approved RPS 2030, the district's new strategic plan. The plan sets the direction for the district's work over the next four years and is organized around four priorities: Challenging Learning, Purposeful Pathways, Supportive Communities, and Organizational Excellence. Read the full plan: https://www.rochesterschools.org/rps-2030
Spending time volunteering at school is more than just lending a hand - it’s about giving your time, sharing smiles, inspiring young minds, and creating connections! Every volunteer brings something valuable to our schools. Your time and talents make great impact on our students and staff! Learn more about volunteering at RPS by visiting our website at volunteer.rochesterschools.org
If you cannot attend in person, you can livestream the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/isd535.
You can view all full meeting agendas at https://rochesterschools.org/simbli.
This week, our students took big steps toward their goals at the College Fairs held at our three big high schools. From exploring a wide range of post-secondary options to connecting directly with representatives, students gathered valuable insights and began visualizing themselves beyond high school.
Today, 38 students from Bamber Valley Elementary and Gage Elementary joined forces at the Edison Building to collaborate and get trained in being a Reading Mentor for younger students. These students will be mentoring Kindergarten students for about 10 minutes every single day before school starts.
The students heard from a couple of Keynote Mentors in the community, including Adrianna Cordell, who was once a Reading Mentor herself and is now a teacher in the district. Abdi "Axe" Ahmed also came in to discuss leadership and opportunities to make a difference for the students.
Students worked hard during training because they know they have an important role in mentoring younger students and providing opportunities for them to succeed.
Mni Sota means "the land where the mist rises above the water"—just one of the Dakota interpretations of the name. Today, Tribal Nations play a vital role in preserving language, culture, spirituality, and the environment. In honor of our Native students and families, we seek to be good relatives to one another.
Photo of 2026 Oskate Wacipi, on May 16. Photo Credit to DMC Creative.
Blue skies, crisp autumn air, and Panther pride on full display! What a picture-perfect day for the Century Homecoming parade. Huge shoutout to the marching band, all the incredible student floats, and everyone who lined the streets to bring the energy! Now let’s carry that momentum right onto the field tonight—GO PANTHERS!
Happy feet, happy kids, happy school! Today students from Bamber Valley Elementary School took part in the annual National Walk & Roll to School Day! We loved watching our students demonstrate safe walking routes while sharing an important message to our community: safety comes first! Thank you to our community partners for helping make this event a success.
Students spent the day learning how to navigate Rochester, practicing using the RPT app, and testing out loading their bikes onto bus racks. One of the biggest surprises of the day? Most students were shocked to learn you have to be 15 to ride electric bikes!
A huge shoutout to the students who stepped up and took the Week Without Driving pledge—and to our City of Rochester staff and Safe Routes to School partners for helping everyone build confidence traveling around our city.
To learn more about Week Without Driving, visit https://bit.ly/4dlciyG
