Photo: cjohnson7 · CC BY 2.0Rochester’s public schools score below 51% of Minnesota districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Rochester, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Minnesota, not nationally.
From Minnesota state tests taken in spring 2022, when 89% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Rochester’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1599 Minnesota towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rochester’s, its schools beat 37%, lower than their 49% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 40% in math, against 51% and 45% statewide; 89% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,013 per student, against $17,091 across Minnesota (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
16 elementary schools, then five middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Rochester Math & Science Elementary, Rochester Math & Science Secondary, Rochester Beacon Academy, Rochester Central Lutheran School (private), Schaeffer Academy (private), Holy Spirit School (private), Rochester Montessori School (private), Kingdom Kids Christian Preschool (private), Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy (private), St. Pius X School (private), Co-Cathedral of ST. John the Evangelist Middle SCH (private), Resurrection Lutheran School (private), Rochester Adventist Elementary School (private), Victory Christian Academy (private) and Rochester Pentecostal School (private) are in town. MNSync Online Elementary and MNSync Online Secondary, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Rochester’s grade
B−: better than 49% of Minnesota school districts, #212 of 274 Minnesota towns. Graduation is above the Minnesota average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rochester, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Rochester · depends on your address
Mayo High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,787 students
Century High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,608 students
John Marshall High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,549 students
10th grade in Rochester · depends on your address
Mayo High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,787 students
Century High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,608 students
John Marshall High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,549 students
11th grade in Rochester · depends on your address
Mayo High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,787 students
Century High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,608 students
John Marshall High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,549 students
12th grade in Rochester · depends on your address
Mayo High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,787 students
Century High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,608 students
John Marshall High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,549 students
Rochester’s public schools are run by Rochester Public School District, which also serves Cascade, Farmington, Hammond and Haverhill and others. Parts of Rochester (8% of its land) are served by Stewartville Public instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Rochester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Minnesota towns that share Rochester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester | B− | Rochester Public |
| Cascade | B− | Rochester Public |
| Haverhill | B− | Rochester Public |
| Marion | B− | Rochester Public |
| High Forest | — | Stewartville Public |
| Kalmar | A+ | Byron Public |
3 of the 5 neighbors share Rochester Public with Rochester, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Rochester
47 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Minnesota’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 15 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Rosa Parks Charter High School, Rochester Math & Science Online, Care & Treatment Hospital/Homebound, Care & Treatment at ESC, ALC Summer Credit Recovery, Early Childhood Assessment, Early Childhood Year Round, Credit Recovery, PrairieCare, Project Search Mayo Clinic, Rochester ALC Recovery Program, LEAP Launching Emerging Adults Prg, Southeast Regional Crisis Center, P-Tech 535 and Out of State Care and Treatment).
Questions about Rochester’s schools
Are Rochester’s schools good?
On Minnesota’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Rochester children attend score below 51% of Minnesota’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #212 of 274 Minnesota towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 37%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rochester in?
Rochester Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 17,171 students in 44 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Rochester are served by Stewartville Public.
Where do Rochester kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Mayo High School, Century High School and John Marshall High School.
What is Rochester’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Rochester Public School District graduated in four years, against 83% across Minnesota.
How much does Rochester spend per student?
$16,013 in Rochester Public School District (FY2024), against $17,091 across Minnesota. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Rochester?
Yes: Rochester Central Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 396 students), Schaeffer Academy (religious, grades K–12, 297 students), Holy Spirit School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 258 students), Rochester Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 228 students), Kingdom Kids Christian Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 226 students), Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–7, 202 students), St. Pius X School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 199 students), Co-Cathedral of ST. John the Evangelist Middle SCH (Catholic, grades 6–8, 190 students), Resurrection Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 128 students), Rochester Adventist Elementary School (religious, grades K–5, 16 students), Victory Christian Academy (religious, grades K–6, 14 students) and Rochester Pentecostal School (religious, grades K–12, 9 students). Rochester also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Rochester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rochester → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Minnesota. Stars are from neighbors.