The school year is in full swing, and so is your chance to grab some RPS gear! Our Apparel Shop is open through Friday, September 18, 2026, and items will be available for pick up at your school at the end of October. Shop here: https://rps26franklin.itemorder.com/shop/home/

about 20 hours ago, Rochester Public Schools
franklin apparel

Reminder: there is no school on Friday, September 4, for all schools except Longfellow Elementary, which will have a regular school day. Additionally, there will be no school, and RPS offices and buildings will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

9 days ago, Rochester Public Schools
No school Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7
Don't let the Superintendent drive (or yell, or throw things on) the bus! We're so excited to see you for the upcoming school year, and bus schedules are coming soon! But you need to get to school safely before you can start learning. Learn all the rules of the school bus with Dr. Kent Pekel and some of his friends from Longfellow Elementary in the RPS Bus Safety video.
28 days ago, Rochester Public Schools
First Student Bus

Rochester Public Schools is the heart of a community focused on lifelong learning. Whether you are three years old or eighty-three, we believe in investing in our community's future by providing exceptional opportunities for everyone to grow.

➡️ We help our youngest learners flourish through 177 Preschool Enrichment classes, 105 Early Childhood Family Education classes, and 26 RPS Preschool classrooms.

➡️ Our youth students stay engaged and inspired through 767 Youth Enrichment and 21st Century programs designed to help them find their spark.

➡️ Learning doesn't stop at graduation. We host 655 Adult Enrichment classes, 241 Adults With Exceptional Abilities classes, and 116 unique offerings at Hawthorne Education.

Learn more about our Community Education program at https://www.rochesterce.org.

7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
2087 classes offered through community education
Our value of ensuring excellence through evidence means we use data and proven practices to help our students grow. To date, 90% of RPS 8th graders have used Xello to discover careers connected to their personal interests. By using these tools, we are investing in our community’s future and preparing the next generation of thinkers and doers. Discover more about how our students use the Xello tool at www.rochesterschools.org/xello.

#PublicSchoolsWeek #PSW26
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
90% of 8th graders used Xello to discover career interests
At Rochester Public Schools, we want every student to be “Challenged to Strive and Supported to Thrive.” With more than 120 extracurricular options for our secondary students, we live out our Value of building belonging and connection. By offering a wide variety of activities, we ensure every student can find a place where they belong, helping them develop the social skills and confidence needed to pursue a fulfilling path. Learn more about our mission at www.rochesterschools.org/about.

#PublicSchoolsWeek #PSW26

7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
120+ extra curricular options
To help our students flourish, we focus on our value of supporting the whole student. This includes their physical well-being, which is why our nutrition team serves over 16,000 meals every single day. Meeting these basic needs is essential to our mission: to equip every student with the resilience to pursue a fulfilling path. Learn more about our Student Nutrition Services Department at https://www.rochesterschools.org/student-nutrition.

#PublicSchoolsWeek #PSW26
7 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
5,313 breakfasts and 11,191 lunches served daily
Before we officially begin winter break, we want to take a moment to celebrate the amazing students we have at RPS! During their annual fundraising competitions, our high school students raised a combined $123,077.95 for local organizations! Thank you, students, for all your hard work and effort to invest back into our community.
9 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Mayo High School Give One For All 2025 fundraiser
John Marshall High School JM Gives 2025 fundraiser
Century High School Bear Creek at Century 2025 fundraiser

Friday is bringing in the final celebrations of Mayo High School’s homecoming week! Check out the scenes from Franklin Elementary School's ribbon cutting event, Willow Creek Middle School's spirit day, and the Mayo High School Homecoming Parade. RPS is so happy to have kids back in class and celebrate the amazing community in Rochester.

12 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Mayo student sees some familiar faces in the parade crowd and gives them a hug
Franklin students got to cut the ribbon for their new playground
Willow Creek's EBD, Mr. Hartman hypes up students before their assembly
Willow Creek students welcomed the Mayo Spartan to their school for spirit day
School board member Jean Marvin hands candy to parade watchers
MHS Nurse Becky and Nurse Caitlin ride in a convertable
Willow Creek Principal Fogarty and Assistant Principal Trapp throw candy to some of their students
Franklin students go over their speeches with Principal Pearson and Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel
Mayo Girls Soccer throws candy to some spectators
Mayo High School Band members chants with their classmates

Get ready to play! The ribbon is officially cut on the brand new Franklin Elementary Community Schoolyard!

This isn't just any green space; it's a vibrant, adventure-packed wonderland designed by our outstanding students, for our school and our entire neighborhood!

Our Franklin scholars were the lead architects, pouring their brilliant ideas into every corner. Through hands-on design workshops, they brought their dreams to life, creating:
🌳 An awesome nature play area
☀️ An outdoor classroom for learning under the sky
🏀 New recreation spaces for endless fun
🦋 A beautiful pollinator garden to help our buzzing buddies!

Thank you to our incredible partners, Trust for Public Land, for helping us turn this vision into a reality!

12 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
Franklin students got to cut the ribbon for their new playground
Franklin students got to cut the ribbon for their new playground
MN state senator Carla Nelson talks to Franklin students
Franklin student speaks in front of her classmates and media about how the new playground will help her and her classmates grow
Franklin Student poses on the new playground
Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel watches students enjoy the new park
MN state senator Carla Nelson talks with a Franklin student
Franklin Principal Pearson talks to media about the new playground
Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel watches students enjoy the new park
Community members discuss future plans for the playground

Rochester Public Schools uses the Standard Response Protocol in response to emergencies that may occur in our school buildings. Students and staff will train, practice, and drill the protocol throughout the year. Learn more about what "hold," "secure," "lockdown," "evacuate," and "shelter" mean: https://www.rochesterschools.org/standard-response-protocol

about 1 year ago, Rochester Public Schools
Standard response protocol list