Real-world learning takes shape in our schools. Our Kellogg students traded their normal physical education gear for firefighter training equipment thanks to the Rochester Fire Department. Working together to roll tires, lift a training dummy, and handle real tools, students dug deep—pushing their physical limits while gaining a deeper understanding of the strength, teamwork, and preparation required in this vital career.
As 2025 comes to a close, we want to end this series with a celebration of our schools. In 2025, we celebrated 50 years of Lincoln Elementary School at the Mann building, our only K-8 school in the District. We also celebrated 75 years of Jefferson Elementary School, a pillar in the community serving K-5 students in northeast Rochester. These milestones reaffirm our dedication to serving the Rochester community, and we look forward to the many years to come!
To the Rochester Public Schools’ Class of 2025, we couldn’t close out the year without one more celebration for you! You’re now on your next steps toward your future, and we wish you success in whatever path you choose. We hope you’ll continue to exemplify our District’s values in all that you do!
Sometimes, the first step is just showing up. This year, we started year 2 of our attendance matters initiative and saw an 11.4% increase in students who show up consistently to school. Attendance is a key skill that sets up students for success all school year long and for a successful future.
This year, Franklin Elementary’s school playground got a glow-up through grant funding, transforming the school playground into a pollinator garden for our buzzing friends, a nature play area to fuel discovery, recreation spaces for our classes and community, and a new outdoor classroom to bring learning to new heights. Even in the snow, what a way to celebrate 2025!
One of our greatest strengths is the vast opportunities that we offer to support our students' learning and our ability to meet them where they are. From Project Search, RAIL, and Middle School ALC, to our American Indian Education and Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs, we are proud of all our students and the growth and accomplishments they’ve achieved this year.
At RPS, we’re committed to lifelong learning, and this spring our pioneering class completed the Phlebotomy Preparation Program through Rochester Public Schools' partnership with the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences! This moment demonstrates that through our strategic partnerships, we can enhance our impact on the Rochester community, providing numerous pathways to success.
Since 2022, our strategic plan, entitled Planning for Purpose, has served as the roadmap for growth at Rochester Public Schools. We are incredibly proud of our rising attendance rates, graduation rates, reading proficiency, and, in particular, our 8.7% increase in 8th grade Math proficiency. This isn't just a number; it’s proof that targeted support and a clear vision are changing the lives of our students. We’re looking forward to our new strategic plan and the growth to come in 2026!
All year long, we’ve been celebrating the accomplishments of our amazing staff. Minnesota’s ITEM Librarian of the Year, Minnesota Paraprofessional of the Year, and Minnesota Music Educator of the Year, just to name a few! It’s not just the big wins, but the collective of accomplishments that speak for how amazing our staff are. Thank you to the new teachers who have joined our District, the teachers who consistently show up for our students year after year, the support staff who do everything possible to make our students' experience a positive one, and everyone behind the scenes who makes our schools and District run smoothly.
This is a reminder that there are no classes from Monday, December 22 through Friday, January 2. RPS classes will resume Monday, January 5 (Longfellow will resume Monday, January 12). Enjoy your Winter Break!
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.
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.
