This fall, we're welcoming a special group of students: our new kindergarteners, most of whom were born during the pandemic. The classroom is a whole new world for them, and our incredible teachers are there to guide them with extra care and expertise. We are so proud that MPR News sat down with one of our kindergarten teachers from Overland Elementary to discuss how she's creating a welcoming space for our newest learners.

Listen to the interview to hear about the thoughtful and dedicated work happening in our schools every day: https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/08/05/the-challenges-facing-this-years-kindergarten-class?fbclid=IwY2xjawMG6X1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvDrdEiAeRM-K30eWyqfYnOozLIEC-SxekWZsWZskJuPOzwlOQ-oit5f66DF_aem_h0YqQHz0phNnx2ZVwZ5aWw
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Don't miss a bell! Set your clocks with a reminder of the 2025-2026 School Bell Times. Check out your school's times here: www.rochesterschools.org/belltimes Important Update for Elementary Families: Please note that release times for select elementary schools have changed by 5 minutes. Make sure to double-check your student's specific school schedule!
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
School Bell Times for 2025-2026

We're on the countdown to the start of school. Save the date for your secondary school's schedule pick up and find even more information on our back to school webpage: https://www.rochesterschools.org/backtoschool

  • Dakota Middle School

    • Thursday, August 14 from 12 to 6 p.m. for all students

  • John Adams Middle School

    • Wednesday, August 20 from 2 to 7 p.m. for incoming 6th graders

    • Thursday, August 21 from 2 to 7 p.m. for incoming 7th & 8th graders

  • Kellogg Middle School

    • Wednesday, August 20 from 2 to 7 p.m. for all students. Students should also plan to take their school picture at this time. 

  • Willow Creek Middle School

    • Wednesday, August 13 from 12 to 5 p.m. Meet & Greet, and Tour for new students attending Willow Creek. Tours take place every hour on the hour.

    • Thursday, August 21 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. for all students. Students should also plan to take their school picture at this time.

  • Century High School

    • All students will have their school picture taken at schedule pick up.

    • Wednesday, August 13 from 4 to 7 p.m for 9th Grade

    • Thursday, August 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for 10th Grade

    • Thursday, August 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for 11th Grade

    • Thursday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for 12th Grade

  • John Marshall High School

    • Wednesday, August 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. for 9th Grade

    • Thursday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for 10-12th Grade

  • Mayo High School

    • Students should enter at door 6.

    • All students will have their school picture taken at schedule pick up. Students unable to attend schedule pick up are expected to have their picture taken on Friday, September 5.

    • Wednesday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m for 10-12th Grade

    • Thursday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for 9th Grade

about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
2025-2026 Schedule Pick Up

Tired of the same old meal time routine? Take a break with our Summer Meals! RPS is still offering summer meals for both breakfast and lunch at select RPS school locations until August 15. Find the menu, locations, and meal times online: www.rochesterschools.org/summermeals

about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Family eating lunch at JM Cafeteria during summer meal times.
Family enjoying a summer meal
The RPS School Board will meet tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in the Edison Board Room (615 7th St SW). On the agenda for tomorrow’s study session is: Graduation Rate Analysis & Overview of 9th Grade On Track and Staff Development Plan and Budget Review.

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.
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS School Board Meeting August 5, 4pm - Study Session
Are your kids eating through all your snacks? Take a break from cooking and join us for a FREE meal for everyone 18 years of age or younger. Adult meals are also offered for a small fee. Check out our menus, locations, and meal times online: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Free Summer Meals for everyone 18 years of age or younger from June 9 to August 15
Attendance matters, all day, every school day! Plan ahead by downloading the 2025-2026 calendar to sync your schedules for the upcoming school year. Download the calendar today: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xrFqCZIbB6lkqDN40P_UVOcFxWJSgS_J?usp=drive_link
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
2025-2026 Calendar

RPS is committed to building strong partnerships that ensure equitable access to mental health care for all students and families. One essential partnership is with Fernbrook Family Center, a community-based mental health provider offering intensive, individualized support from early childhood through adulthood. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2324125

about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Fernbrook family center highlight
Welcome Back, Lepoards! Longfellow Elementary kicked off our back-to-school season with an amazing first day of school! Each year, the first day is full of excitement for students, staff, and families, and we can't wait to see what you do this year!
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Longfellow students waiting in line for the bell
Family walking into school
Students smiling at the camera
Principal Adams walking student into school
First monday morning assembly of the year
Family walking into school
Students waiting in line to go into class.
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 Special Session is Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan and the agenda for the study session is Facilities Strategy and School Board Goal Development 2025-2026.

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.
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 5:30pm Special Session and Study Session

We're preparing for the 2025–2026 school year, and we need your help to plan safe, efficient bus routes. Update your student’s transportation info now!
If your student is in grades 10–12, a district‑wide option student, or a non‑public student needing after‑school busing, complete an RPS Registered Rider Form. Address change, foster care, joint custody, and alternate site forms are also on our website. Whether your student is returning, new, or has updated needs, let us know: www.rochesterschools.org/transportation

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
2025-2026 Transportation

We're here to partner with your family. Rochester Public Schools is looking to increase communication between schools and families about student attendance. In case you missed it, 🔍 look for an email on Why Coming to School Matters and what to expect in the new school year.

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Reminder - Please check your email for an attendance update on your student from RPS
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 Prep for Action: Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan and Action: 5 Year Budget Reduction Strategy.

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.
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS School Board Meeting Tuesday, July 15, 2025 5:30pm
These motivated Mayo athletes aren't afraid of a little sweat! They're getting stronger! Coach-led summer training sessions are boosting strength, flexibility, and team spirit—prepping students to bring their best in the upcoming seasons and stay injury-free. Whether it’s hockey or volleyball, these Spartans are putting in the work!
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Racing students
Student athletes run drills on Mayo's field.
Student raises a dumbbell in front of a wall of weights and whiteboard with "Go Spartans!" written on it.
Mayo High School Hockey Team runs a lap on the track field.
Coach welcomes Mayo athlete to another day of strength and conditioning training.
Wide-shot of student athletes running drills on the Mayo High School field.
Two students doing drills, one of them laughs as she almost looses her balance in a crane-like pose.
We're looking for you! RPS is actively recruiting staff for various roles for the 2025-2026 school year, including Education Support Professionals (ESPs), Transportation ESPs, Special Education Teachers, Science Teachers, Maintenance staff, and more! Wages start at $20 per hour and include a state-sponsored retirement account. Join us at our next hiring event on Tuesday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Edison Administration Building (615 7th Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902).
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS is hosting a hiring event on Tuesday from July 22, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Edison Board Room at 615 7th Street SW Rochester, MN 55902
All summer meal locations are now open and operating under their normal hours. Come and join us for a FREE meal for children 18 years of age or younger. Adult meals are also offered for a small fee. Check out our menus, locations, and meal times online: https://www.rochesterschools.org/page/summer-meals
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Free Summer Meals for everyone 18 years of age or younger from June 9-August 15
All RPS buildings and programs, including summer meal locations and summer school-aged child care (SACC), will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. We will resume normal operations on Monday, July 7, 2025. We wish you and your families a safe and happy Fourth of July!
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS closed July 4
We're in the heart of summer, soaking up the sun! But just like your favorite ice cream cone, summer eventually has to end. And that means getting ready for a new school year! While it might feel early to trade in your swimsuits for notebooks, consider getting a head start on your back-to-school supplies. Get your list here: https://www.rochesterschools.org/schoolsupplies
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
2025-2026 School Supply Lists
SPECIAL HOURS: Our summer meal program will only operate out of three locations from June 30 to July 3, and all locations will be closed on July 4. Visit Franklin, Overland, or Washington Elementary for summer meals this week! For more information, visit www.rochesterschools.org/summermeals.
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Summer Meals select locations open during July 30 to July 3
It’s not every day you get up close and personal with a bird of prey — but Dakota Middle School students did just that! Earlier this year, Dakota Middle School students teamed up with Quarry Hill Nature Center and the Mayo Clinic Peregrine Falcon Program to learn about wildlife conservation by building a bird box right behind their school! They’ve been able to watch parent American kestrels hunt and nest for months, and now a few students and their science teachers got up close and personal with the kestrel chicks. A Quarry Hill staff member came by to weigh the five new kestrels in an ice cream bucket and add leg bands for tracking. He’ll share this data with the U.S. Geological Survey to help researchers better understand kestrels and the challenges their population faces.
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Dakota Middle School science teacher holds up an American kestrel chick in a lush green field.
Quarry Hill Nature Center staff collects American kestrel chicks from a bird box in order to record their weight and band them.
A make-shift weighing station is set up in a verdant field to record the weight of 20-day-old American kestrel chicks for conservation.
An American kestrel chick lays in a paper towel padded ice cream bucket on a scale. She is mostly all feathered, but still has some fluffy white baby feathers.
In a green field, some people surround a man kneeling on the ground. He is a staff member at Quarry Hill Nature Center and is weighing American kestrel chicks as one of the bystanders takes notes of his measurements.
Quarry Hill Nature Center staff hands an open-beaked American kestrel chick to a student to gently hold.
Dakota Middle School science teacher holds up an American kestrel chick in a lush green field.
Man holds American kestrel chick.