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

Availability Not shared by this school

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.

rasamn.org

2521 Pennington Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Gallery

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Vibes and Culture

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The Essentials

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

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Fees

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

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

The school has not added this information

Parent Experience

The school has not added this information

Facilities

The school has not added this information

Extra-Curricular Activities

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Languages

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Reputation

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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

FAQs

What grades and age range does Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy serve?

RASA serves preschool through 8th grade, with students starting at age 3. The program is organized into Early Childhood, Elementary (K–5), and Middle School (6–8).

What curriculum does RASA follow and what are its aims?

RASA follows the International Baccalaureate Programme, including the IB Primary Years Program for younger learners. The IB approach emphasizes inquiry, global-mindedness, independence, and student agency.

Is Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy a boarding school, and where is it located?

RASA is a private independent day school located at 2521 Pennington Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Boarding is not offered, and before- and after-school care options are available.

What is the application fee and the tuition range by program?

The application fee is USD 75, non-refundable. Tuition ranges by program: Early Childhood PYP (Preschool–Junior Kindergarten) is USD 16,200 per year (half-day USD 10,150); Elementary PYP (K–5) is USD 16,200; Middle School (6–7) is USD 16,200, with 8th grade at USD 13,000. There are also technology fees and potential per-term considerations.

Are there scholarships and how do families apply?

A limited number of scholarships are awarded each year at the Board's discretion. Applicants must submit a financial aid application via the TADS platform.

When can families enroll and is there a deposit?

Open enrollment for new families begins March 1. Reenrollment for current families runs January 16–February 28. A new-student tuition deposit of USD 500 is due March 1 (or when enrollment is accepted) and is credited toward tuition.

Are before/after-school care and other fees available?

Yes. Before-school care is available for a fee, and after-school care is offered through the Inquirer's Club with varying daily rates (for example, USD 8 until 4:30 PM or USD 12 until 6:00 PM). Additional fees apply for enrichment, meals, and term-based services.

What is the student-teacher ratio and typical class size?

RASA maintains an 8:1 student-teacher ratio, with class sizes topping out at 15 students.

What languages are taught and how are they integrated into learning?

Every student receives daily world language instruction in French and Spanish, with lessons aligned to IB Units of Inquiry.

What acceleration options exist and how are students placed?

The curriculum offers single, double, and triple acceleration and includes gifted programming. CogAT testing is available for placement in some grades.

How does RASA prepare students for high school?

Graduates are prepared for rigorous high school programs, including AP courses and the IB Diploma Programme at partner high schools.

Do you have dedicated sports facilities on campus?

Dedicated on-campus sports facilities are not listed. The school emphasizes small classes, the arts, and IB learning, with PE and regular outdoor activity built into the day.

What facilities and staff support are available on campus?

RASA provides a licensed school counselor and a school nurse to support students. The campus also offers weekly music and art, and a study hall in middle school to support after-school activities.

What arts and enrichment options exist on campus?

Music and art are taught weekly, and band begins in Grade 5. After-school specialty clubs include chess, art, drama, coding, and robotics, with other clubs rotating over time.

Are field trips and guest speakers part of the program?

Field trips are integrated with IB Units of Inquiry, and guest speakers, assemblies, and community events are regular features that broaden learning.

What wellbeing and support services are available?

RASA has a licensed school counselor and a school nurse, and the program emphasizes social-emotional well-being, character development, and student safety.

Does RASA provide language support for English learners or diverse paces?

All students receive daily language instruction in French and Spanish, and the school maintains a nurturing environment that supports diverse learning paces.

What safeguarding policies does the school follow?

RASA adheres to non-discriminatory admissions and safeguarding policies, consistent with U.S. and Minnesota law.

Is there a uniform and what does it involve?

Yes, uniforms are required: white or navy tops with the RASA crest and navy or gold bottoms. Uniforms are available via Lands' End, and there is an annual second-hand uniform sale; Fridays are spirit wear days.

What about meals and the food policy?

RASA offers a hot lunch program for K–5; preschool and Junior Kindergarten students bring lunch from home. Milk is available for purchase, and there is a policy addressing food allergies.

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