Due to anticipated severe weather, we are canceling all in-person activities after 5 p.m. today, Monday, April 13. This includes:

• Middle school after-school activities
• All secondary activities and games
• Adult Enrichment and community education activities
• Night School

SACC will still be available until 6 p.m.
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Rochester Public Schools after school activities are canceled due to inclement weather, rps logo and picture of thunderstorm in background.
At Dakota Middle School, our students do more than just eat—they innovate. Once a month, our student focus group teams up with Chef Travis to taste-test the future school lunch options. Today’s menu? A Mac & Cheese Bar showdown: Buffalo vs. BBQ Chicken. The students have the opportunity to provide feedback and even discuss toppings and side pairings for menu items. We believe that giving students a seat at the table builds belonging, connection, and a menu they actually love.
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Students talking with Chef Travis about the lunch menus including what they like and dislike.
Barbaque Chicken Mac and Cheese in a bowl with a side of broccoli and mandarin oranges in a try with a TruMoo Milk.
Students serving up their side dishes and grabbing milk from the food line.
Students eating and listening to Chef Travis sitting at a table in the Dakota Test Kitchen.
Two students sitting together with their food at the table smiling at the camera.
We want to celebrate and stand behind our students’ accomplishments, and this week, Andy Zheng of Century High School took 10th place in the Cadet Men’s Epee 2026 Junior & Cadet Fencing World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In a field of 138, Andy had a strong result in one of the tournament’s most competitive events. Congratulations to Andy and Team USA!
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Andy Zheng featured on right with two other teammates locked in arms looking at the camera.
Team USA Epee team with their coaches posing for a photo in two rows.
Team USA Men's Epee linked with arms behind the shoulders smiling at the camera.
Not only will we be together for a celebration at our powwow, but you'll also have the opportunity to shop from local community vendors and purchase native made beadwork and crafts.

Join us Saturday, May 16, from 1 to 5 p.m. for this free community event! Learn more about our upcoming powwow: https://www.facebook.com/events/2158314524916380
2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
A Community vendor at our American Indian Education powwow set up behind a table filled with handmade clothing, beads, bracelets, and purses, while customers look at her products.

Under our new strategic plan, Superintendent Pekel is ensuring that Rochester Public Schools prioritizes middle school initiatives that broaden students' perspectives on postsecondary life. We’re not just preparing students for graduation; we’re preparing them for what comes next. Listen in as Dr. Pekel talks with Andy Brownell: https://krocnews.com/middle-school-career-exploration-rochester-schools/

2 months 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 regular meeting is: RPS Strategic Plan High School Options, Authorization of Issuance and Sale of $33,800,000 General Obligation Facilities Maintenance Bonds and General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Approval of Purchase Agreement for the Sale of the former Mighty Oaks Schoolhouse and School Board Response to AIPAC.

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, April 7, 2026, 5:30pm, Regular Meeting

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) today released graduation rate data for the Class of 2025, including data for Rochester Public Schools (RPS) students. Results for RPS show sustained improvement over the past three years in the district’s overall graduation rate and significant progress for students from multiple demographic subgroups. From 2023 to 2025, the district's four-year graduation rate increased from 83.99% to 86.20%, a gain of 2.21 percentage points. Read more: https://www.rochesterschools.org/article/2802986

2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Rochester Public Schools Media Release

This is a reminder that there is no school on Monday, March 30, through Friday, April 3, for Spring Break.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
No School March 30 - April 3
With all this warmer weather, does your family have summer on the mind? Keep your students busy with our youth enrichment classes. Browse our summer catalog to find a class that fits their interests, your budget, and keeps you both happy! https://simplebooklet.com/youthsummer2026
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Willow Creek student lifting a watering can while working in their garden outside.
Tired of the infinite scroll? Swap your screen for a compass and rediscover your focus. This isn't your average art class—it’s a guided deep-breath for your brain.

Using the simplest tools (just paper, a straight edge, and a pen), we’re diving into the geometry of mandalas. It’s rhythmic, grounding, and the ultimate hack for quieting mental noise. Join us on Wednesday, March 25: https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/course/26084/2026-adult-winter-spring-catalog/mindful-mandalas-cultivating-calm-through-creativity#7032-232
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
A group of women of all ages gathered at a table drawing mandalas.
White and Black Mandala
Black mandala

Our students at Gibbs are celebrating the end of the week with this amazing weather! Playing outside in the sunshine, in class celebrating their hard work and accomplishments, students building carnival games, and even some good reading to end the day.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Group of seven students decked out in snow gear arm in arm on the black top for a photo
All the class siting at their desks with their hands in the air celebrating the photo and smiling at the camera.
Two students building carnival games out of cardboard at their desks.
Student talking to the staff member about their book while also sitting next to to other students reading.
Give "grandma’s china" a modern glow-up! Join us to craft a custom pincushion using vintage teacups and aromatic herbs. For just $15, gather with others who have similar hobbies, and enjoy conversation while you make your one-of-a-kind piece! We hope to see you on Wednesday, March 18: https://rochester.ce.eleyo.com/course/26102/2026-adult-winter-spring-catalog/pincushions-from-up-cycled-vintage-china#7683-232
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Pink rose tea cup turned into a pincushion.
A white china elephant turned into a pincushion.
A cream pitcher turned into a pincushion.
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 regular meeting is: RPS 2030 Strategic Plan Middle School Options, School Board Draft Response to AIPAC, and Achievement and Integration Plan.

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.
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
RPS School Board Meeting, Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2026 5:30pm Regular Meeting

Century students and staff showed resolve of steel as they took the plunge in windy, 42-degree weather. The 103 plungers raised $7,767 for Special Olympics and their Unified School Program. All three high schools braved the Polar Plunge this week. We are so proud of you, students and staff...oh, and Superintendent Kent Pekel too!

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Three high school girls wearing smiles and matching "Polar Plunge" t-shirts emerge from the frigid waters of the Polar Plunge tank. They are flanked by a life guard and a police officer.
A far-off shot of two girls holding hands as they jump into the Polar Plunge tank.
Two high school boys look shook at they find their feet after plunging into the Polar Plunge tank.
Four Century girls softball players pose arm in arm. They pump each other up before plunging into the Polar Plunge.
Two RPS staff members in capes and masks jump into the Polar Plunge. In the background, students look on from the ground close to a parking lot full of cars.
Outside a group of high school boys get pumped up for the Polar Plunge.
Two adults help a soaked student down from the Polar Plunge tank. She is cold but smiling through it.
A student wrapped in a towel holds up a peace sign for the camera. The bright red Polar Plunge tank is in the background.
Superintendent Kent Pekel raises his arms in victory after taking the Polar Plunge.

Mayo High School families: Power has been restored to the building. After-school activities and sports will run as planned.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools

Mayo HS families: We are canceling school today, Friday, March 13, 2026. The high winds in our area have caused several power outages in the neighborhood. As a result, the building is currently without the necessary power and systems to operate school as scheduled. We will send a follow-up message by midday today regarding the status of after-school activities and athletics.

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Mayo High School is closed Friday, March 13
Watching our students shine at this week's STEM Fair has been a highlight for this school year! Beyond the awards, we are proud of how these participants exemplified our core values. By digging deeper into their research and focusing on investing in our community, they’ve shown that STEM is about much more than just science—it's about making a difference. Congratulations to all our participants!
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Two students talking together in front of their STEM Fair project boards looking at each other and their program.
Aerial view of all the presentation boards being visited by judges and students alike in the RCTC gym.
Student talking to Judge while sitting in chairs infront of the project board.
Three STEM fair participants taking a lunch break while holding pizza in their hand and waving to the camera.
Two students smiling and in shock they they won an award at the award ceremony in the Dakota auditorium
Student accepting an award on stage at the award ceremony in the Dakota auditorium.
Student smiling after hearing they had won, surrounded by peers clapping and smiling at her.
RPS Superintendent Kent Pekel says moving Sunset Terrace Elementary into Gage Elementary is no longer an option for cost savings, as it would have required changes to attendance boundaries and impacted additional students. As an alternative, the school district is considering using unused space to house the district's Middle School Alternative Program, which is currently located in the Friedell Building, now up for sale. Listen to the podcast episode: https://krocnews.com/rochester-elementary-move-proposal-scrapped/

3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Earn your Bilingual Seal! Graduating high school students in Minnesota with a multilingual background and/or studying a language other than English are eligible to earn a bilingual seal after graduation. Fill out the survey at https://tinyurl.com/RPSSealsBiliteracy and register for an exam time.
3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Minnesota Bilingual Seals - Rochester Public Schools - register online https://tinyurl.com/RPSSealsBiliteracy
We're supporting and empowering students in every way imaginable. What better way to empower students than to let one call a snow day! We've put Century High School sophomore, Jaycob Krebs through rigorous training on how to call snow days. Stay tuned to RPS socials to see what call he'll make: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPwjsoXBMy4


3 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Jaycob Krebs Century Sophomore snow day specialist