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Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy

United States, Rochester

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $10,150 - 16,200
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 2007
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP)
Taught languages Spanish, French
Typical class size 15
Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School
Introduction

Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy (RASA) is a private independent school serving preschool through eighth grade at 2521 Pennington Dr NW in Rochester, Minnesota. The school follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, offering the Primary Years Programme for younger students and preparing graduates for rigorous high school options, including AP courses and the IB Diploma Programme. RASA emphasizes inquiry, global-mindedness, independence, and student agency, with Minnesota standards integrated into the IB framework. All students receive daily in-person instruction in French and Spanish, and language lessons align with units of inquiry. The campus supports small classes (8:1 ratio, maximum 15 per class) and offers before- and after-school care, clubs, and extended-day programs. Middle school includes a study hall to support after-school activities. Distinctive features include ongoing IB inquiry across the curriculum and a unique international collaboration with the International School of Dublin, expanding global learning opportunities for students pursuing learning paths.

2521 Pennington Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901

The Essentials

Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy has typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
2521 Pennington Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901, United States

Stages
Preschool and Junior Kindergarten; Elementary (K–5); Middle School (6–8)

Type
private independent school

Additional learning support
Licensed School Counselor; School Nurse with psycho-social support training

Country affiliation
United States

Religious affiliation
Secular

School day structure
Full-day attendance varies by program: Preschool and Junior Kindergarten, 8:00 AM–3:25 PM; Elementary (K–5), 9:25 AM–3:50 PM; Middle School (6–8), 8:10 AM–2:50 PM. Before-school care begins at 7:00 AM at no charge; after-school care and clubs extend until 6:00 PM.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
All students wear a uniform. A white or navy top with the RASA crest is paired with navy or gold bottoms; Lands' End shirts under school code 900121211 are used, or crests can be affixed to a solid top. Jeans are not permitted; footwear must be closed-toe; there is an annual second-hand uniform sale and Fridays are spirit wear days.

Food Options
RASA provides a hot lunch program for students in Grades K–5 with sign-up at the start of each term; preschool and junior kindergarten students bring lunch from home. A menu of lunch options from local restaurants is provided each term, and milk is available for purchase with lunch. The school also has a policy on food allergies.

Governance and Ownership
RASA is a nonprofit organization headed by a Board of Directors who oversee the school's mission and operation. It is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.
Fees

Annual tuition at Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy ranges from USD 10,150 to USD 16,200 for 2026/27.

Application fee

- USD 75 per application — non-refundable; paid at the time the family submits an application.

Tuition fees by program (annual)

- Early Childhood PYP Program (Preschool and Junior Kindergarten): USD 16,200 per year. Half-day option (subject to approval and availability): USD 10,150 per year.
- Elementary PYP Program (Kindergarten–Grade 5): USD 16,200 per year.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): USD 16,200 per year for 6th and 7th grade; USD 13,000 for 8th grade (per school board guidance).

- Technology fees: Kindergarten–Grade 3: USD 100 per academic year; Grade 4–5: USD 200 per academic year; Middle School: USD 200 per academic year.

- Sibling discounts (full-time students only): second enrolled child USD 500 discount; third enrolled child USD 1,500 discount; fourth enrolled child USD 2,500 discount.



Per-term equivalent (calculated)

- The school calendar is organized into five academic terms. If annual tuition is divided evenly across those five terms, the per-term equivalents are as follows (calculated for record-keeping):
- Early Childhood / Elementary / Middle (6th & 7th): USD 16,200 ÷ 5 = USD 3,240 per term.
- Middle (8th grade): USD 13,000 ÷ 5 = USD 2,600 per term.

- Note: the school publishes annual tuition amounts and offers flexible payment options; families should treat the per-term figures above as an even-division calculation rather than an explicit published per-term invoice amount.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- New-student tuition deposit: USD 500 per student, non-refundable; the deposit is applied as a credit toward the yearly tuition. The deposit is due on March 1 (or at the time that enrollment is accepted).

- Payment methods and plans: the school uses an online tuition/payment platform (TADS) and offers a variety of online payment options and schedules through that system to meet family needs. Exact billing dates and payment-plan options are arranged through the school's payment platform and enrollment process.

- Annual tuition covers full-day academic instruction (8:00 AM–3:25 PM), curriculum materials and field trips; additional services are billed separately.

Boarding

- Boarding is not offered. The school operates as a full-day day school (families provide student transportation). Before- and after-school care is available for an additional fee.

Other costs and fees

- Before- and after-school care (typical published rates from the school's fee schedule):
- Before school care (6:30 AM–7:15 AM): USD 8.00 per day (with 24-hour advance request).
- Inquirer's Club (after school): USD 8.00 per day (until 4:30 PM) or USD 12.00 per day (until 6:00 PM).

- Enrichment / clubs (examples of typical per-class rates): most enrichment clubs are shown at USD 12.00 per class; some specialized clubs (e.g., Makerspace) appear at USD 15.00 per class. A small additional charge applies for IQ Club attendance after enrichment clubs.

- Term-break care and summer camps: term-break care is offered for term breaks (except the winter/December break) for an additional fee; summer camps run from late June through mid-August with fees published seasonally.

- Inclement-weather child-care fee (when applicable): USD 15.00 per child (up to USD 30 per family) for non-academic child-care days created by certain weather closures.

- Lunch/milk: milk is available for purchase; hot-lunch options are offered for K–Grade 8 with per-term sign-up options.



Uniforms and related costs

- A school uniform is required for all students: a white or navy top affixed with the school crest and bottoms in the school colors (navy or gold). Uniform items and crests are available through an approved vendor (Lands' End) and through school uniform sales; a second-hand uniform sale is held annually. Retail pricing for uniform pieces varies and is handled directly through the vendor or school sales channels.

Refund information

- The new-student tuition deposit (USD 500) is expressly non-refundable, though it is applied as a credit to the student's annual tuition. Additional refund or withdrawal terms are governed by the school's enrollment and tuition policies; families should follow the school's enrollment/withdrawal procedures to determine any applicable refunds or account adjustments.

Fee payment options

- Accepted/payment pathways: online payments via the school's TADS payment platform (various online payment options and schedules are available through TADS). Specific accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit/debit card, or automated bank debit) are provided through the school's TADS billing setup and enrollment paperwork.

- For deposits and recurring tuition billing, families use the school's enrollment/payment system to select their payment schedule and method.
Academics

Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP).

Curriculum
RASA follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, including the IB Primary Years Program for younger learners. The IB approach emphasizes inquiry, global-mindedness, independence, and student agency. The school serves preschool through 8th grade. All students receive daily world language instruction in French and Spanish, with language lessons aligned to units of inquiry. The curriculum offers acceleration with single, double, and triple options and provides gifted programming; CogAT testing is available for placement in some grades. Graduates are prepared for rigorous high school programs, including AP courses and the IB Diploma Programme.

Student Teacher Ratio
8:1; class size up to 15 students

Gifted and Talented
All students have access to accelerated reading and math programming with single/double/triple acceleration; CogAT testing is used for placement; the majority of students who engage with the IB curriculum test into the Highly Gifted range defined by the district.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school has a nurturing environment and a caring, accepting community that supports diverse learning paces and styles.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school teaches daily foreign language instruction, with Spanish and French taught daily.

Mental Wellbeing
The school emphasizes character development and aims to develop principled, open-minded, and caring young people.

Safeguarding
The school does not discriminate in admissions and other school policies on the basis of protected characteristics under U.S. or Minnesota law.
Parent Experience

History
RASA was founded in 2007 by local parents who valued an individualized education emphasizing the arts and sciences. In 2011 it was authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School and offers the IB Primary Years Program. It is the only elementary school in Southeastern Minnesota offering an IB-based inquiry model with a global focus. It also offers an inquiry-based middle school currently enrolling through grade 8.

Community
RASA fosters a welcoming, community-oriented environment and invites tours to experience the school firsthand. Students participate in diverse enrichment activities tied to IB Units of Inquiry, including field trips. Guest speakers from family and community share experiences, and IB assemblies occur biweekly to emphasize the Learner Profile. The school hosts community events such as the Gateway Science Fair and a community spelling bee; the PTO sponsors winter celebrations, a cultural fair, and family bingo nights, and Earth Day activities and the annual track and field day are held with local partners; performances occur regularly.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTO exists to develop and strengthen the community of RASA. Our mission is to encourage parent and community involvement in our school, provide support for educational enrichments, and host appreciation events throughout the year. We endeavor to facilitate the moments that bring RASA closer together in order to build a healthy network of supportive, engaged, and confident families. Our collective talent, energy, vision, and leadership enable us to contribute to the extraordinary RASA community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
RASA is a private independent school serving preschool through 8th grade. The school operates in a small-class setting with an 8:1 student–teacher ratio and a maximum of 15 students per class. Before-school care begins at 7:00 am, and after-school programs run until 6:00 pm with clubs and enrichment available. All students receive daily in-person instruction in both French and Spanish, and the IB program anchors the curriculum. Music and art are taught weekly, with band available beginning in grade 5, and daily physical education with regular recess. Field trips, guest speakers, assemblies, and community events expand IB learning.

Academic Facilities
RASA follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. All students receive daily in-person instruction in French and Spanish. The IB curriculum centers on inquiry and global-mindedness and meets Minnesota state standards. Students graduate prepared for rigorous high school programming, including AP courses and the IB Diploma Programme. Middle school instruction includes a study hall to support after-school activities and extended day programming. A licensed school counselor and a school nurse support students.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Field trips are part of the program and align with the Units of Inquiry. Guest speakers, IB assemblies, and community events are regular features of school life. After-school specialty clubs include chess, art, drama, coding, robotics, and a wide range of rotating options. Music and art are taught weekly, and band begins in grade 5. Earth Day activities, track and field day, and other local events are integrated into learning.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
RASA provides accelerated and double-accelerated curricula. It is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The school aims to develop active learners, well-rounded individuals, and engaged world citizens. The IB Primary Years Program is offered for students ages 3–12.

Arts & Creative
Diverse enrichment activities complement the Arts and Sciences curriculum and align with IB Units of Inquiry. After-school specialty clubs include drama and other creative pursuits. Field trips connect learning to real-world contexts, including visits to museums and science centers. Regular classroom, club, and school-wide performances provide opportunities for artistic expression.

Cultural & Language
Cultural events include a winter celebration and a cultural fair sponsored by the PTO, along with Earth Day activities. The school participates in local community events that broaden cultural understanding. There is an international collaboration with the International School of Dublin, enabling students to learn from and share with peers abroad.

Social & Hobbies
RASA offers a wide variety of after-school specialty clubs, including chess, drama, LEGO, and sports, with new clubs added over time. These clubs extend learning beyond the school day and foster collaboration, creativity, and social engagement. Class, club, and school-wide performances occur regularly, providing opportunities for student voice and showcasing talents.

Community & Service
Students participate in local community events such as the Gateway Science Fair and a community spelling bee. The PTO sponsors winter celebrations, cultural fairs, and family bingo nights, strengthening the school community. Earth Day activities and a track and field day engage students in service and outdoor learning.

Leadership & Professional
IB Assemblies occur biweekly to emphasize the Learner Profile attributes in real-life situations. Guest speakers from families and community members regularly share career and research experiences. The IB program encourages student agency, empowering learners to take action and direct their own learning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
IB Primary Years Program addresses students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. It also fosters independence and responsibility for learning. It helps students gain understanding of the world and function comfortably within it, and establishes personal values as a foundation for international-mindedness.
Languages

Language Provision
French and Spanish are taught daily to all students. Language lessons are aligned with Units of Inquiry. The school serves preschool through 8th grade as an International Baccalaureate World School.

Bilingual Teaching
French + Spanish daily foreign language instruction for all students.
Admissions

Admissions
New families can apply to join Rochester Arts & Sciences Academy in three easy steps. 1) Contact us to schedule a tour. 2) Log into our online admissions platform, complete an application, and pay the $75 non-refundable application fee (online admissions portal: rasamn.bigsis.com). 3) Wait to hear from us regarding your child's application status. RASA offers International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB-PYP) education for preschool through grade 5, and enrollment is open to all students without discrimination on race, color, or national or ethnic origin. Enrollment for the coming school year typically starts in January for returning families and March for new families. Open enrollment begins March 1 for new families; verification of enrollment status for new families begins on March 1, and new families may apply after March subject to seat availability. The reenrollment window for current families runs January 16–February 28, and families will receive enrollment communications confirming enrollment.

Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are awarded each year at the discretion of the RASA Board of Directors. Applicants must submit a financial aid application via TADS.
School Events
The school has not added events
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