Rochester Schools: A Relocation Guide

From Century and Mayo High to IB and P-TECH programs, here’s how Rochester’s schools compare and how to choose the right neighborhood for your family.

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Helping Families Navigate Rochester Schools

Schools are often the deciding factor in where a family chooses to live in Rochester. Whether you’re relocating for a Mayo Clinic position or a new opportunity elsewhere, I help you understand how school boundaries, program offerings, and neighborhoods fit together before you buy.

Rochester Public Schools serves most of the city through three comprehensive high schools, each with distinct strengths, while a strong slate of private and parochial schools rounds out the options. Minnesota’s open enrollment law also means your home address doesn’t have to be the final word on which school your child attends.

Below is a breakdown of the district’s high schools, the district-wide investments reshaping RPS, and the private school alternatives, so you can weigh school quality alongside price, commute, and lifestyle when choosing a neighborhood.

What Sets My Service Apart

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    Century High School

    Ranked #43 in Minnesota with a 5-star rating, Century combines strong academics with the district’s broadest AP course catalog.

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    Mayo High School

    Ranked #91 in Minnesota but with the district’s highest AP participation rate, Mayo is a strong fit for academically driven students.

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    John Marshall High School

    Rochester’s most diverse high school, John Marshall offers a well-rounded academic experience with strong arts and activities programs.

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    Major District Investment

    Voters approved the $19.4M/year Ignite referendum in late 2024, and Mayo Clinic gave RPS a $10M gift, funding new facilities and programs across the district.

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    Specialized Programs

    RASA is the district’s only IB-PYP school, and P-TECH 535 pairs RPS with IBM and Mayo Clinic for a tuition-free path to a tech associate’s degree.

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    Private Schools & Open Enrollment

    Lourdes High School sends 98% of graduates to college, and Minnesota’s open enrollment law lets your child attend almost any public school in the district regardless of address.

Schools FAQ

What’s the difference between Century, Mayo, and John Marshall?

Century is the top performer (#43 in Minnesota, 5 stars) with the broadest AP catalog. Mayo ranks #91 but has the district’s highest AP participation rate. John Marshall is Rochester’s most diverse high school with strong arts and activities.

How does Minnesota’s open enrollment law work?

Open enrollment lets your child attend almost any public school in the district regardless of your home address, so your neighborhood doesn’t have to be the final word on which school they attend.

What does the Ignite referendum fund?

Voters approved a $19.4M/year referendum in late 2024, and Mayo Clinic gave RPS a $10M gift, together funding new facilities and programs across the district.

Should I consider a private school instead?

Private and parochial options round out the picture. Lourdes High School sends 98% of graduates to college, RASA is the district’s only IB-PYP school, and Schaeffer Academy and Rochester Catholic Schools offer additional faith-based alternatives.

Ready to Choose the Right School for Your Family?

Let’s talk about which schools and neighborhoods fit your family’s needs.

Get Personalized School Guidance

Share your priorities and I’ll help you match a neighborhood to the right schools.