Rochester Public Schools

School Safety Update: Several schools in the Twin Cities have closed because of anonymous threats over social media suggesting a potential for gun violence at those schools. We have worked with law enforcement and school administration in Rochester to confirm that, at this time, no threats have been made to any school in Rochester. We will continue to closely monitor this situation throughout the day and take appropriate action, if necessary.

about 6 hours ago, Rochester Public Schools

Rochester Public Schools is making great progress with our Attendance Matters initiative. We are so proud of all our students and families. Thank you for continuing to communicate your student's absences with us and ensuring they attend school every day. As always, if your student is struggling with attending school, please reach out to your school's staff so we can help provide support. https://youtube.com/shorts/UtwBJVKhwi4

about 22 hours ago, Rochester Public Schools

The RPS School Board will meet tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for tomorrow's Special Session is Truth in Taxation. On the agenda for the Regular Meeting is the Strategic Plan in Review, Part 2, Policy Committee Recommendations, Approval of Purchase Agreement for the Sale of Skyline, Approval of School District Property Tax Levy Payable in 2026, and Balanced Budget Model Enhancements.

1 day ago, Rochester Public Schools

RPS School Board Meeting Tuesday, December 16, 2025 6:00pm

We're looking back at the incredible high school seniors we celebrated last May, who have successfully transitioned into RPS Alumni pursuing teaching licenses! By completing the Intro to Teaching 1 & 2 sequence through CTECH, these students earned five college credits from the University of Minnesota.

RPS is committed to providing all students with a well-rounded education for a fulfilling future. Thank you to our community for celebrating these students. Wishing them all the best as they advance their studies!

5 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

Family standing in support of their high school student who signed a commitment to become a future educator.

Students standing in front of the board room for their signing celebration with Jean Marvin.

Family standing smiling at the camera for a picture

Mother and son standing for a photo with the signing certificate.

Rochester Public Schools (RPS) today released a comprehensive statement addressing recent media inquiries and public questions regarding the district's participation in the Minnesota Principals Academy (MPA), a leadership development program for school principals across the state. RPS is sharing this information with the school community to ensure full transparency regarding the decision-making process and the value of the leadership training. Read the full statement: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2594197.

5 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

Our 2nd grade friends at Churchill were recognized for their attendance during the first week of December! We believe the foundation of an exceptional education is rooted in attending school every day. Attending school every day offers your student an essential opportunity to learn and grow. Despite the winter chill and upcoming holidays, know that consistent attendance truly matters. Keep up the great work, Churchill Hoover students!

6 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

Early Childhood Screening is on the go. Join us at SPARK this Thursday, December 11, and make your screening part of the fun! Reservations are required, but easy to book online: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ03UVNTCcu4yAlpI29vgTuZf6Bj8sNZ43DzM8jpb2nRiW3m1hlI76tvFz5PAAnTkwXbq9_IfDqt

All children are required to be screened before starting kindergarten, but can be screened as early as three years old to provide you with insight into your child's learning development. Join us this week and get your early childhood screening out of the way!

7 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

girl smiling with early childhood screening glasses on.

girl pointing to a shape when answering a question at an early childhood screening.

girl having eyes checked to during an early childhood screening.

Girl with headphones on for the hearing portion of an early childhood screening.

girl creating a pattern of blocks for the early childhood screening.

As the year wraps up, it's the perfect time to celebrate how far we've come! We're reflecting on the incredible accomplishments of our students, staff, and the entire Rochester Public Schools community.

We’re kicking off our top 10 look back with the reopening of Mighty Oaks Preschool this fall! Repurposing one of our older buildings allowed us to bring our preschool closer to Rochester families, providing our classes with room to grow alongside the community. We’re grateful to all who make this move possible, and, of course, to our amazing staff, students, and families who accompanied us along the way.

8 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

Director of Early Childhood cutting the ribbon for the Mighty Oaks early learning school's new location.

Today’s UCS Area 10 Sports Jamboree, hosted by Special Olympics Minnesota, brought together students of all abilities to celebrate inclusion, teamwork, and the unique way sports can unite communities. Unified Sports gives students with and without intellectual disabilities the opportunity to play on the same team, fostering connection and belonging. Students from RPS high schools spent the day playing soccer, cornhole, solving puzzles, enjoying pizza, and more.

11 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

Students in green and yellow jerseys play soccer in a gym.

At the end of a soccer game, students line up and high-five the opposite team.

Students loop small rubber bands together as a craft at a fold-out table.

Students in green and yellow jerseys compete for a soccer ball.

Two onlookers sit in chairs and one in a wheelchair as they watch a unified soccer game.

As AI becomes more integrated into education, Superintendent Kent Pekel says we need a coherent plan. During his monthly appearance on "Rochester Today," he discussed how the district intends to address AI in the upcoming strategic plan.

Listen to his thoughts on the future of technology in our schools: https://krocnews.com/rochester-public-schools-ai-strategy/

11 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

Statement of Support for our Somali Community from Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel:

"At a time when negative comments have been made about the Somali community in Minnesota in the public sphere, we want to express our deep support for this community in Rochester and elsewhere. Somali students, staff, families, and community partners enrich life in Rochester in general, and in Rochester Public Schools in particular. We stand by the members of this community during this challenging time."

"Xili faalooyin aad u xun looga sameeyey fagaaraha bulshada Soomaaliyeed ee ku dhaqan gobolka Minnesota, waxaan rabnaa in aan taageero qoto dheer u muujino jaaliyada ku dhaqan magaalada Rochester iyo meelo kasto. Ardeyda, shaqaalaha, qoysaska, iyo la-hawlgalayaasha bulshadda Soomaaliyeed waxay kobciyaan nolosha Rochester guud ahaan, gaar ahaanna Dugsiyada Dadweynaha Rochester. Waxaan garab taagan nahay xubnaha bulshadda waqtigan adag." Kormeereha Guud Dr Kent Pekel

12 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

The beautiful winter weather is here, but so are some extra safety concerns. It might be time to adjust your student's walk to school routine. Here are eight tips for walking to school in the winter from RPS's Department of Transportation and Minnesota Safe Routes to School.

Wear shoes or boots that fit well and have good traction. Shoe grips or ice cleats can give you extra support.
Shuffle your feet and take short steps to reduce your chances of falling.
Wear multiple layers of light clothing to keep your body insulated and allow heat to circulate. Finish with a top layer of waterproofing to keep you dry.
Wear thick socks, gloves, and warm ear protection to keep your smaller body parts warm.
Spread your feet, slightly bend your knees, walk straight, and try not to lean forward. This will help stabilize your body.
Adjust your speed to the surface you’re walking on.
When possible, you should walk on the sidewalk rather than the road. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic for visibility and as far to the side of the road as possible.
Buddy up: Make the trip more fun! Walk with a friend or group for added safety and visibility.

13 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

Winter is officially here, which means some of us are thinking about the potential of snow days! Learn more about how we determine snow days and what to expect with school closings in the event of inclement weather: http://www.rochesterschools.org/inclement-weather

14 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

It'll be a busy week ahead for our future kindergarten students with the last of our kindergarten open houses. Join Jefferson, Lincoln K-8, Longfellow, Spanish Immersion at Riverside, Sunset Terrace, and Washington Elementary Schools from December 2 to 5. For more information on locations, times, and interpreters available, visit our website at www.rochesterschools.org/onmyway2k.

15 days 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: 2022-2025 Strategic Plan in Review, Part 1, Achievement and Integration Aid Report, Balanced Budget Model Enhancements, Policy Committee Recommendations, and Legislative Priorities 2026.

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.

15 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

RPS School Board Meeting Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 5:30pm Special Session & Regular Meeting

Over this break, we're reflecting on our accomplishments, but more importantly, we are feeling grateful for our students, staff, community partners, and volunteers who make up Rochester Public Schools. Thank you for making us the heart of a community focused on lifelong learning.

20 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

Students and staff wearing orange shirts to be kind

Three folwell students in the hallway working on curriculum

Students around Kellogg Middle School during first quarter

Parents and students building during Riverside's STEM night.

Students at Quarry Hill in an outdoor classroom

In 2015, the Minnesota Legislature updated the American Indian Education Aid (MN Statute 124D.81), creating a funding formula for districts with 20 or more self-identified Native students. With this support, RPS was able to restart its American Indian Education (AIE) program and hire our first full-time staff dedicated to supporting the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of Native students (MN Statute 124D.74).

Today, in an effort to meet every student where they are, our American Indian Education program is paving the way with enrichment, cultural learning, and student support in every RPS school. We partner with Native students and their families throughout their educational journey, offering monthly in-school programming and family engagement opportunities. These connections strengthen the school–family relationship and promote student success.

21 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

AIE Native American Liaison, Jo, teaching students at Bamber Valley.

AIE students at Bamber Valley in conversation about student awards.

Indigenous Peoples dance and celebration

Young dancer Indigenous Peoples dance and

Students learning in a small group with American Indian Liaison, Jo.

Join us for the Project SEARCH Student/Parent Information Night! Project SEARCH is a nine-month internship for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities focused on competitive employment.
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: John Marshall High School
Register with the link: https://bit.ly/4pv0u0m
Watch the Project SEARCH information video: https://youtu.be/DhgZpCRjHHc

22 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

This is a reminder that there is no school on, Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28, for Thanksgiving Break. RPS will resume normal operations and hours on Monday, December 1. Enjoy the long weekend!

22 days ago, Rochester Public Schools

No School Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29

RALC families, due to an unexpected water main break resulting in a complete loss of water service to the building, the Rochester Alternative Learning Center will dismiss students early at 12:30 p.m. today, Friday, November 21. Please check your emails for more information.

25 days ago, Rochester Public Schools