Advanced Learning Services

Our program is designed to meet the academic, creative, and affective needs of advanced learners through a collaborative partnership between staff, students, and families.

Our department is committed to the following:

  • believing that every student can learn and grow with support and advocacy regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, gender, language, or disability

  • recognizing and eliminating barriers and bias so that students can access needed academic interventions

  • using an equitable identification process that validates students’ identities, language acquisition, strengths, prior learning, and lived experiences so that participants are representative of the district’s population

  • differentiating instruction to meet all students where they are in ability, achievement, and developing strengths

  • developing the whole child by supporting academic and social-emotional development to ensure that every student reaches their fullest potential 

  • fostering relevant, deeper learning experiences that spark curiosity, strengthen critical thinking, promote collaboration, and inspire creativity in order to apply their knowledge in new and complex ways

  • creating a community of learners so that the environment is a safe, flexible space for students to embrace productive struggle, share diverse perspectives, take risks, and develop a growth-mindset

  • nurturing students’ passions to empower them to take ownership of their learning, build leadership skills, and leverage their interests to help them envision who they want to be

Image of Laura Willis

Laura Willis

Advanced Learning Services
507.328.4275 | Email Laura Willis

Headshot of Sheila Rainey

Sheila Rainey

Advanced Learning Secretary
507.328.4299 | Email Sheila Rainey

Testing opportunities:

Elementary

  • Grades 2-4 Advanced Learning Spring 2025 Portfolio Registration

This opportunity is for any 2nd -4th grader in Rochester Public Schools who would like an additional opportunity to potentially qualify for the elementary Advanced Learning Program by taking a portfolio assessment. Grades 2-4 Spring 2025 Registration Form. The deadline to register is March 7, 2025.

  • Grade 5 Advanced Learning Fall 2025 Portfolio Registration

This opportunity is for any Rochester Public School student who will be in grade 5 during the 2025-2026 school year and would like an additional opportunity to potentially qualify for the Middle School Advanced Learning Program by taking a portfolio assessment. 5th Grade Fall 2025 Registration Form. The deadline to register is September 19, 2025.

  • New-to-the-District Grades 3-5 Fall 2025 Portfolio Registration

This form is for parents of 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders who are new to Rochester Public Schools and would like their child to have an opportunity to take a portfolio assessment to potentially qualify for Advanced Learning Services. New-to-District Grades 3-5 Registration Form. The deadline to register is September 19, 2025.

Middle School

Spring 2025 Opportunity for 6th-7th Graders: Portfolio Registration

This opportunity is for 6th and 7th graders in Rochester Public Schools who would like an additional opportunity to take a portfolio assessment to potentially qualify for the Middle School Advanced Learning Program. Grades 6 and 7 Spring 2025 Portfolio Registration Form. The deadline to register is March 7, 2025.

Fall 2025 Opportunity for 6th-8th Graders: CogAT Registration

This opportunity is for any Rochester Public School student who will be in grades 6-8 during the 2025-2026 school year who would like an opportunity to take the CogAT to potentially qualify for the Middle School Advanced Learning Program.  Fall 2025 Registration Form. View the Advanced Learning Program Presentation for more information. The deadline to register is September 19, 2025.

Non-Public/Non-RPS Testing

Spring 2025 Non-RPS Math Acceleration Testing and/or Portfolio Assessment for 5th-7th Graders:

This opportunity is for any non-public or non-RPS student who is currently in grade 5, 6, or 7 during the 2024-2025 school year, will be attending RPS in 2025-2026, and would like an opportunity to potentially qualify for 1) Math Acceleration and/or 2) the Middle School Advanced Learning Program in Rochester Public Schools for the fall of 2025.  The tentative date for testing is Friday, May 2, 2025. Spring 2025 Math Acceleration and/or Portfolio Registration Form. The deadline to register is March 1, 2025.

Fall 2025 Non-RPS Opportunity for 4th-7th Graders: CogAT Registration

This opportunity is for any non-public or non-RPS student who will be in grades 4-7 during the 2025-2026 school year and would like an opportunity to potentially qualify for the Middle School Advanced Learning Program in Rochester Public Schools.  Advanced Learning Program Information. Rochester Public School’s testing window for the CogAT is Oct. - Nov. Specific dates and times have not been determined. Fall 2025 Registration Form. The deadline to register is September 19, 2025.