Elementary, Middle, and High School
The Rochester Public Schools has the sixth largest enrollment in the state drawing from a population of over 100,000 people. The district’s pre-kindergarten through grade 12 program serves more than 16,200 students in 15 elementary schools, four middle schools, and three comprehensive high schools. There are also opportunities in the various alternative schools and five choice programs. Student achievement levels are consistently above state and national averages with more than 85% of graduating seniors pursuing post high school education.This wealth of schooling options helps explain why Expansion Management ranked Rochester 3rd among 300 cities in high-school graduation rate.
Higher Education
The University Center Rochester is a partnership of higher education unlike any other, characterized by strategic planning to address the needs of the community - higher education, professional development, custom training, and continuing education. The partnership consists of Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC), University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR), and Winona State University - Rochester Center (WSU-RC).In the past 10 years, the University Center has experienced incredible growth similar to the rest of the city to meet the growing educational needs of the community. Over 5700 students study here to pursue the training they need and over 11,000 people participated in RCTC's Continuing Education programs.
Rochester is also home to Crossroads College, with its emphasis on programs preparing students for professional ministries around the world.
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Since its beginnings over a century ago, the renowned Mayo Clinic has stressed the inseparability of medical excellence, learning and research. This idea continues with Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, which has helped make Mayo Clinic a leader in health sciences.Mayo Clinic College of Medicine actually consists of numerous schools. The Mayo Medical School is an exclusive enrollment program for outstanding candidates pursuing medical degrees. Focusing on specialized and emerging technologies, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine enrolls more than a thousand residents and fellows each year. The Mayo School of Health Sciences meets the needs of allied health professionals with more than twenty professional programs instructed through Mayo Clinic and regional universities.
Private Schooling
For families who prefer private schooling for their children, Rochester has twelve private and parochial schools serving more than 3000 students.Parents interested in the spiritual and academic growth afforded by a Catholic education can find it for their children at any of the city's five private Catholic schools, and proof of their high academic standards is with Lourdes High School, which sends an impressive 98% of all of its students to college. Seven other parochial schools offer classes through all age levels and Christian-based education to students of all faiths.
The private Rochester Montessori School accepts students as young as 18 months in keeping with the traditional Montessori philosophy. Studio Academy High School serves students who are interested in an emphasis with visual and performing arts.
Excelling in Education
The younger children are also not forgotten in Rochester's education system with numerous programs for toddlers and parents such as PAIIR and other community education programs and preschools.Adding it all together, whether you're a student, parent of preschoolers, in the middle of your career, a stay at home parent, or just looking to expand your horizons, Rochester's educational opportunities are tops.
