Rochester Public Schools

Do you need a new mattress? Consider supporting our RPS high school bands by attending our 5th annual mattress fundraiser on October 4 at Century High School from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Try a selection of name-brand mattresses that come fully warrantied and are well below retail prices. Come and take a step toward prioritizing your sleep while also supporting a great cause.

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Rochester Public Schools High School Band Mattress Fundraiser on October 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Century High School

Your student might qualify for extra benefits! Fill out the Application for Educational Benefits to find out! Bonus: filling out the application will benefit the entire school district. Fill the form at rochesterschools.org/page/application-for-benefits

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Fill the Form, More Than Meals, MN Department of Education

Fill the Form, More Than Meals, Even though school meals are provided at no cost, the Application for Educational Benefits still matters.

Benefits for your family; Your student may qualify for other benefits such as discounted fees for the following: Activities and athletics through your school or Community Education AP tests College applications Transportation Internet for your home SUN bucks Scholarships for: Early Childhood Family Education classes or RPS Preschool. Benefits for our schools: Educational Funding for the School District: Teachers Education Support Professionals Social workers Math and reading support. Apply onine.

Why apply? Through the MN Free Meals Program, all Rochester Public Schools students can receive one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. Although no application is required to receive the free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important, as your student may qualify for other benefits such as discounted fees. Apply online. For more information connect with Student Nutrition Services studentnutritionservices@rochesterschools.org. Rochester Public Schools

Mighty Oaks Early Learning School officially celebrated its new location, bringing new energy to the former Pinewood Elementary building. This new location brings our early childhood programming to a more centralized location. It features an extra special addition—a brand-new traffic garden where kids can ride scooters and bikes while also learning about pedestrian safety.

Thank you to all who joined us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony! Congratulations to our Mighty Oaks Early Learning students, staff, and families!

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Erica Schumacher cuts the ribbon to open the new Mighty Oaks Early Learning School with supporters smiling behind her.

Group gathers to celebrate the opening of Mighty Oaks Early Learning School 's new location.

Malissa Nelson speaks at the Mighty Oaks Early Learning School ribbon cutting.

Mighty-Oaks-Ribbon-Cutting_social-square-resize4

One brother helps another ride a scooter at the traffic garden.

A parking lot turning into a traffic garden with scooters and painted roads on the blacktop.

Mighty Oaks Early Learning School front exterior

It was a perfect morning for Walk to School Day! Pinewood Elementary students hopped off the bus at Bear Creek Park, then walked the rest of the way along Marion Road—practicing safe walking skills with friends and crossing guards. Mayor Norton, the Rochester Police Department, the School Board, Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel, and even Slider from the Rochester Honkers joined in as well!

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Pinewood Elementary students in a large group in Bear Creek Park

Kids chat with their friends after getting off school buses.

Four boys pose for camera. One holds a sign reading, "walk to school with the school board."

A long line of students walk and run in Bear Creek Park.

Rochester Honkers' Slider and Pinewood students safely cross a crosswalk.

Students race through arches made of pool noodles and traffic cones.

A long line of students with backpacks on the sidewalk.

Posed picture of Mayor Norton, Rochester Police Department members, School Board members, Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel, Principal Heidi Howe, and Rochester Public School staff.

This school year is off to a great start with higher-than-expected student enrollment numbers! Superintendent Kent Pekel shared the preliminary data during his monthly radio appearance with KROC. For more details on what this means for our district, listen here: https://krocnews.com/rochester-public-schools-higher-enrollment/

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

75 years and counting! Jefferson hosted its 75th anniversary celebration on Saturday with all the festivities to be expected! Congratulations on the historic milestone Jaguars, and here's to all the years to come.

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

students got to throw baseballs at the dunk tank

Jefferson was decorated with historical documents, balloons, and other trinkets.

Jefferson principal Dana DeWitz gets dunked in the dunk tank

School board member Justin Cook speaks with a student about the RPS robotics program.

Hans Hollander and his family post for the picture sporting their Jefferson t-shirts!

The RPS School Board will meet tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for tomorrow’s study session is: MCA Data Review & Initiative Update, Elementary Science Curriculum Implementation Update, Approval of Vision, Mission, Values, Authorization to close and sell Friedell, Mighty Oaks, and Skyline, Certification of Proposed District Property Tax Levy Payable 2026, Board Meeting Schedule for 2026, and Approval of the 2025-2027 REA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Overland Elementary School is intentionally building community every school day! By adjusting their schedule, Overland created a 20-minute routine at the beginning of the day to provide time for community-building circles in all classrooms. These community-building circles help students, teachers, and Education Support Professional (ESP) staff get to know each other and strengthen relationships between students and staff. Way to go, Overland Owls!

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Teacher and class sit in a discussion circle with a prompt on the smartboard that says, "How you show up at school impacts other people. Share about a time when you positively impacted others at school."

Two students listen to their classmate speak gleefully into the microphone.

Teacher points to a smartboard that says, "Week 2: Our Classroom as a Community; Day 5: What makes you laugh?"

Overland Elementary student shares about what makes her laugh to her classmates during a morning community circle.

Teacher and students sit on the floor and listen to the kid with the plush pencil talk.

Friday is bringing in the final celebrations of Mayo High School’s homecoming week! Check out the scenes from Franklin Elementary School's ribbon cutting event, Willow Creek Middle School's spirit day, and the Mayo High School Homecoming Parade. RPS is so happy to have kids back in class and celebrate the amazing community in Rochester.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Mayo student sees some familiar faces in the parade crowd and gives them a hug

Franklin students got to cut the ribbon for their new playground

Willow Creek's EBD, Mr. Hartman hypes up students before their assembly

Willow Creek students welcomed the Mayo Spartan to their school for spirit day

School board member Jean Marvin hands candy to parade watchers

MHS Nurse Becky and Nurse Caitlin ride in a convertable

Willow Creek Principal Fogarty and Assistant Principal Trapp throw candy to some of their students

Franklin students go over their speeches with Principal Pearson and Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel

Mayo Girls Soccer throws candy to some spectators

Mayo High School Band members chants with their classmates

We are launching our strategic planning process to guide the district through 2030, and your voice is essential. We invite community members to provide insight and direction by participating in design committees, focus groups, or our online feedback form. Help define our priorities for the years to come. Learn more and get involved at https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2406444.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Get ready to play! The ribbon is officially cut on the brand new Franklin Elementary Community Schoolyard!

This isn't just any green space; it's a vibrant, adventure-packed wonderland designed by our outstanding students, for our school and our entire neighborhood!

Our Franklin scholars were the lead architects, pouring their brilliant ideas into every corner. Through hands-on design workshops, they brought their dreams to life, creating:
🌳 An awesome nature play area
☀️ An outdoor classroom for learning under the sky
🏀 New recreation spaces for endless fun
🦋 A beautiful pollinator garden to help our buzzing buddies!

Thank you to our incredible partners, Trust for Public Land, for helping us turn this vision into a reality!

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

MN state senator Carla Nelson talks to Franklin students

Franklin student speaks in front of her classmates and media about how the new playground will help her and her classmates grow

Franklin Student poses on the new playground

Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel watches students enjoy the new park

MN state senator Carla Nelson talks with a Franklin student

Franklin Principal Pearson talks to media about the new playground

Community members discuss future plans for the playground

To help our students fully engage in their learning, students are encouraged not to bring cell phones or other electronic devices, including smart watches and earbuds/airpods, to school. See more information about our cell phone procedures for each school level at https://rochesterschools.org/cell-phone-procedures

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Calling all past, present, and future Jefferson Elementary families! Save the date to join us for our 75th anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 27 from 3-6 p.m.

Want to share your Jefferson memories with us or volunteer at the event? Learn more at https://jefferson75th.org!

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Sometimes, knowing what steps to take can be hard when you are worried that your student's emotional or mental well-being might be impacted. RPS families have access to a confidential screener online at http://mentalhealthscreeningtools.com/. If the screener results indicate a reason for concern, or if you want to talk with a provider, schedule a free consultation with a mental health professional (https://ffcstaffconsults.as.me/).

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is also available for people experiencing emotional distress, mental health crises, or thoughts of suicide. You can call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org to connect with trained counselors anytime, 24/7.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

The RPS School Board will meet tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for tomorrow’s study session is: public hearings for proposal to close Mighty Oaks Early Learning School, Skyline, and Friedell, 2026-2030 Strategic Plan Update, Resolutions for MSBA Delegate Assembly, and Certification of Proposed School District Property Tax Levy Payable 2025.

If you cannot attend in person, you can watch the playback of the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/isd535.

You can view all full meeting agendas at https://rochesterschools.org/simbli.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

September is School Board Recognition Month, and we want to recognize the dedicated leaders guiding our district: the Rochester Public Schools School Board members. These elected officials are tasked with making critical decisions—from policy and budget oversight to long-term strategic planning—that directly impact every student.

We encourage our community to stay engaged. Get to know your board members, find meeting dates, and stay updated by visiting our district website: http://rochesterschools.org/school-board

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

The first day of preschool is a big milestone, and a little rain didn't stop our families from celebrating! We had so much fun welcoming our newest and youngest learners to the classroom today. We're so excited to see all the amazing things our students will learn and do this year!

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Preschool parent with child posing with a first day of preschool sign

Dad and daughter posing outside of Mighty Oaks on the first day of school

Preschool teacher smiling while helping a student get to the door for class

Preschool student wearing their backpack outside of their classroom

Family posing for the first day of preschool outside of Hoover.

Mom taking a photo of their student on the first day of school

Teacher helping two students to the door for the first day of school.

Family of five posing for photo as they drop off their preschooler.

Rochester Public Schools uses the Standard Response Protocol in response to emergencies that may occur in our school buildings. Students and staff will train, practice, and drill the protocol throughout the year. Learn more about what "hold," "secure," "lockdown," "evacuate," and "shelter" mean: https://www.rochesterschools.org/standard-response-protocol

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

RPS families: This is a reminder that except for Longfellow Elementary, there is no school on, Friday, August 29. RPS is also closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the long weekend, and we will see you next Tuesday!

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

And just like that, the first day of school is in the books for our elementary schools! It was a day filled with reuniting with friends, meeting new teachers, and settling into the familiar learning rhythm.

Our deepest gratitude to our incredible teachers and staff who worked so hard to ensure our students felt welcomed and supported today. We are honored to be a part of this community and look forward to a positive year ahead.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Group of students smiling at the camera while sitting in a stairwell

Two students smiling at the camera outside the bus

a parent and their child smilng at the camera

Siblings dropping off their youngest sibling at school

twins wearing matching red bows in their hair on their first day