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Jonas and Maria Lovisa Erickson FarmsteadJonas and Maria Lovisa Erickson Farmstead · Photo: Dog Walking Girl · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Schools in Rochester · Rochester School District

Rochester’s public schools outscore 55% of Washington districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Rochester, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Rochester’s districts is 35%, below the Washington average (40%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Washington, not nationally.

#154of 285 Washington townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Washington state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% 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.

Reading proficiency
47%
▼ 6 pts vs WA 53%
2021–22
Math proficiency
35%
▼ 5 pts vs WA 40%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▲ 1–5 pts vs WA 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$17.9K
▼ 3% vs WA $18.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.7
WA 17.7 · larger classes
Schools in town
5
2,138 students on the public path
In brief

Rochester’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 47% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 53% and 40% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington (the state reports Rochester’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $17,947 per student, against $18,444 across Washington (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Grand Mound Elementary, then Rochester Middle School, then Rochester High School. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Rochester’s grade

B− Test scoresB Graduation

B: better than 55% of Washington school districts, #154 of 285 Washington towns. Graduation is above the Washington average; test scores are below it.

Washington school districts we grade (289)Better than 55%
Lower resultsHigher results
Washington towns with similar household incomes (272)Better than 52%
C+B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,083 test results and a graduating class of 163 could put Rochester anywhere from C+ to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Rochester’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,092 in math, 1,074 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rochester, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–2Rochester Primary SchoolRochester School DistrictNo scores
3–5Grand Mound ElementaryRochester School DistrictNo scores
6–8Rochester Middle SchoolRochester School DistrictNo scores
9–12Rochester High SchoolRochester School DistrictNo scores

Rochester’s public schools are run by Rochester School District. 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.

Rochester School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,175 students · 18.7 per teacher (WA 17.7)
$17,947WA $18,444 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading47%
State average 53.4% · 1074 students tested
Math35%
State average 40.1% · 1092 students tested

Rochester vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Washington towns that share Rochester’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
RochesterBRochester

Every school in Rochester

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Washington’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Rochesterby address
Rochester Primary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
488 students15:1Rate it →
Grand Mound Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–5
507 students19:1Rate it →
Rochester Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
535 students19:1Rate it →
Rochester High School
High · Grades 9–12
608 students22:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
H.e.a.r.t. High School
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
37 studentsRate it →

Questions about Rochester’s schools

Are Rochester’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Washington: the public schools Rochester children attend outscore 55% of Washington’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #154 of 285 Washington towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 52%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Rochester in?

Rochester School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,175 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Rochester kids go to high school?

Rochester High School, with 608 students.

What is Rochester’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Rochester School District graduated in four years, against 84% across Washington.

How much does Rochester spend per student?

$17,947 in Rochester School District (FY2024), against $18,444 across Washington. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Rochester families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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 Washington. Stars are from neighbors.