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.
18 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.
23 days ago, Rochester Public Schools
Students and staff wearing orange shirts to be kind
Mayo High School Marketing Class
RPS Staff
Century swim team posing with metals
Three folwell students in the hallway working on curriculum
Students around Kellogg Middle School during first quarter
Gibbs safety patrol helping
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.
24 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.
AIE students learning about Lacrosse
AIE Students playing Lacrosse
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

25 days ago, Rochester Public Schools
ProjectSEARCHInfoNight

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!

25 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.

28 days ago, Rochester Public Schools
Early dismissal due to water main break
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: Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Goals. On the agenda for the Regular Meeting that follows immediately after is: Annual Inventory of Fixed Assets Report, Policy Committee Recommendations, John Carlson Recognition and Chief Administrative Officer Search Update, Approval of Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25, 2026-27 Course Registration Guide, Naming of the John Marshall Gymnasium, and Approval of the Annual School Board Calendar Draft (ABCD) through August 1, 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 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS School Board Meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025 5:30pm, Special Session & Regular Meeting

Have you scheduled an early childhood screening appointment for your 3 year old? Early childhood screening is a play-based developmental screening for children three to five years old to provide information about your child's learning and development. Parents are welcome to observe, and this service is completely free to you! Book your Early Childhood Screening today: https://calendly.com/ecscreen/screening-appointment?month=2025-11

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.

about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
3 year old completing the hearing test during early child screening.
Parent smiling over student as they look at the screen cards presented by the teacher on the table.
Screening teacher measuring three year old's height
Student practicing their balance  on one leg in the room.
Hey, future kindergarten students: ready, set, enroll! Kindergarten enrollment is now open for the 2026-2027 school year at RPS! Learn more and enroll at www.rochesterschools.org/onmyway2k!
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
KO2K enrollment photo for all schools
Honoring all who served. Thank you, Veterans.
about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Veterans Day

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This legislation is the foundation of RPS's commitment to whole-student support spanning all forms of ability. RPS programs, such as the Rochester Academy for Independent Living (RAIL), exemplify this commitment in action. Help us celebrate the exceptional students and staff by checking out some of the photos from RAILs Fall Talent Show.

https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2535708

about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Morgan and Kristi pick a song to practice with at Kirsti's desk
Jacob gets the crowd involved in his dance of “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus
Brendan Dances to the  “Sid Shuffle”
Jacob is cheered on by his classmates after dancing to “This Is How We Roll” by Florida Georgia Line with his teacher, Brisa
Jovanny did 50 push ups in just 45 seconds and the crowd loved it
Megan performs her dance and gets her congratulatory hug from Morgan
Megan performs her dance and gets her congratulatory hug from Morgan
Morgan and Katie perform “Dance Monkey” by Kidz Bop
Samuel juggles beanbags for his talent
RAIL staff member, Makayla, joins Melany’s performance so she didn’t have to do it alone

RPS teachers and staff put their heads together during Curriculum and Development (CAD) Day yesterday. At Folwell Elementary School, Principal Kristin Smith and her Folwell staff analyzed their MCA reading data for strengths and areas to grow, reviewed their Fastbridge progress monitoring data, and  prepared for parent-teacher conferences. Way to go, Folwell, for living out our value of ensuring excellence through evidence!

about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
Folwell teachers collaborate and problem solve together.
Folwell teachers and staff sit around tables and listen to Principal Kristin Smith's presentation.
Teacher preps for parent-teacher conferences on her laptop.

Think about an RPS staff member who has truly made a difference for you or your student, someone who goes above and beyond every single day. At RPS, we call them the G.O.A.T. — the Greatest of All Time! And we would love to highlight them. We're looking for nominations for outstanding teachers and staff members. Tell us who your RPS G.O.A.T. is and what makes them so amazing using this form: https://bit.ly/RPS_GOAT.

about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS GOAT
At Rochester Public Schools, we go beyond convention by fostering extraordinary level of opportunities, classes, and experiences, and our ability to offer this to our students, is due to our amazing staff.

Anne Marie Griffin, RPS Library Media Specialist, was awarded by the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) for her exceptional professionalism, generous mentorship, advocacy for libraries, and commitment to supporting her colleagues while maintaining excellence in teaching and database management, making her a deserving recipient of this honor. The award was presented at the 2025 Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference.

Celebrate Anne with us! Congratulations on your accomplishment; we're proud to have you serve our students!
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Portrait of Anne Marie Griffin

RPS families: This is a reminder that there is no school on, Tuesday, November 4, for our Curriculum and Development Day. RPS will resume normal operations and hours on Wednesday, November 5.

about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
No School Tuesday, November 4
This Wednesday, RPS high schools are serving up Chicken Shawarma Wraps—a brand-new menu item inspired by your feedback! Juicy marinated chicken, zesty pickles, and major flavor… all wrapped up for you. Don’t miss it!
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
High school student in cafeteria smiling and holding her lunch tray filled with fries, grapes, and a wrap.
Chicken Shawarma Wrap on a lunch tray
Two high school students are served wraps by Student Nutrition Services employee.
Gloved hands assemble a Chicken Shawarma Wrap.
Student Nutrition Services employee rolls a wrap together in tin foil.
October is Bullying Prevention Month. At RPS, we work to prevent bullying by actively building belonging and connection. We celebrate differences and embrace individual perspectives to cultivate a vibrant community. This culture of respect allows us to better support the whole student, nurturing their social skills and emotional well-being so they can flourish.
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
October is bullying prevention month
Did you know that Rochester Public Schools has five community schools? Gage, Riverside, Franklin, John Adams, and John Marshall are home to our community schools and supported by our community school site facilitators. Their focus is to bring together academics, health, social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. When all these factors work together, the data shows improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities. The work being done within our community schools is just one of the ways that Rochester Public Schools works to ensure each student can flourish in their own path.
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Lisa Becker standing in the Riverside Community School room.
United Way presenting Rochester Public School representatives with a donation check.
Julie McLaren standing in front of the Gage clothing rack.
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: Field Trip Fees. On the agenda for tomorrow's Regular Meeting is: Attendance Data and Initiatives Update, Philanthropy Strategy, Course Registration Guide, and Policy Committee Recommendations.

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
School Board Meeting template (9)

Congratulations to Brian Ihrke, John Marshall High School's Activities Director, on being voted the Region 1AA Activities Director of the Year by his peers. A well-deserved honor for his leadership and dedication to the Rockets!

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Brian Ihrke voted Region 1AA Activities Director of the Year