Rochester's school system is one of the most respected in the state due to the high quality of education and opportunities present in the city. There are many educational opportunities for all ages from toddlers to seniors.
The City of Rochester 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 16 elementary schools and 8 secondary/high schools. There are also opportunities to enroll in parochial, charter and private schools. 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.
The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) is the newest campus of the University of Minnesota system having been formally established in December 2006. With over 35 academic programs available in Rochester, UMR provides graduate and undergraduate degrees, conducts research, and pursues outreach services focusing in the areas of health sciences and biotechnology while continuing its commitment to offer high quality academic programming in business, education, graphic design, public health, and social work.
The University Center Rochester is a partnership 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) and Winona State University - Rochester Center (WSU-RC). UCR partners offer more than 150 credentialed educational options. The institutions focus on offering programs along the spectrum from certificate through graduate level studies in business, education, health sciences, technology, and liberal arts programs.
Rochester is also home to Crossroads College, with its emphasis on programs preparing students for professional ministries around the world. Many other colleges in the region offer undergraduate and graduate programming in Rochester, offering residents a great variety of educational opportunities.
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.
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.
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.
|  |
The new University Center has expanded the higher education opportunities in Rochester.
High quality education is available to all ages.
Agriculture is still a leading industry in southeast Minnesota and programs addressing this are always available.
Rochester has some of the best elementary schools in the state.
|
