It's Time for Kindergarten
Do you have a child eligible to enter kindergarten this next fall? As the parent/caregiver of a student in our schools, you are our most important and valued partner in our work to help your child achieve academic excellence. Start by scheduling an early childhood screening and then enrolling in Kindergarten. Use the resources on our page to navigate our website and learn more about Rochester Public Schools.
Kindergarten enrollment for the 26-27 school year begins November 10!
Kindergarten Open Houses
Bamber Valley Elementary School
2001 Bamber Valley Rd SW, Rochester, MN 55902
November 17, 2025, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
bamber.rochesterschools.org
Bishop Elementary School
406 36th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901
November 17, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
Arabic, Chinese, Somali, and Spanish interpreters available
bishop.rochesterschools.org
Churchill | Hoover Elementary School
2240 7th Ave NE, Rochester, MN 55906
November 20, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
Somali and Spanish interpreters available
churchillhoover.rochesterschools.org
Elton Hills Elementary School
1421 Elton Hills Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901
November 20, 2025, 6-7 p.m.
Somali and Spanish interpreters available
eltonhills.rochesterschools.org
Folwell Elementary School
603 15th Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902
November 18, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish interpreters available
folwell.rochesterschools.org
Franklin & Montessori at Franklin Elementary School
1801 9th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904
November 18, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
Somali and Spanish interpreters available
franklin.rochesterschools.org
Gage Elementary School
1300 40th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
November 18, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
gage.rochesterschools.org
Gibbs Elementary School
5525 56th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Virtual open houses
November 18, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
November 20, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
Contact the school via email at gibbs@rochesterschools.org or 507.328.4100 for the link to the virtual open house.
Jefferson Elementary School
1201 10th Ave NE, Rochester, MN 55906
December 2, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
Spanish interpreter available
jefferson.rochesterschools.org
Lincoln K-8 School
1122 8th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904
December 3, 2025, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Arabic, Khmer/Cambodian, Somali, and Spanish interpreters available
lincoln.rochesterschools.org
Longfellow Elementary School
2434 20th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904
December 2, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
Arabic, Somali, and Spanish interpreters available
longfellow.rochesterschools.org
Overland Elementary School
2300 Overland Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901
November 18, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
Somali interpreter available
overland.rochesterschools.org
Pinewood Elementary School
2435 20th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904
November 13, 2025, 6-7 p.m.
Arabic, Somali, and Spanish interpreters available
pinewood.rochesterschools.org
Riverside Elementary School
506 5th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Neighborhood School: November 18, 2025, 6-7 p.m.
Spanish Immersion DWO Program: December 2, 2025, 6-7 p.m.
Spanish interpreters available
Sunset Terrace Elementary School
1707 19th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901
December 4, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
sunset.rochesterschools.org
Districtwide Option (DWO) Schools/Programs
Each year, families can apply for Districtwide Option (DWO) Schools and Programs. These schools are located within Rochester and may deliver the curriculum differently than neighborhood schools. Districtwide schools and programs are tuition-free. Transportation is also provided to eligible students enrolled at DWO schools/programs.
Self-Transport Option
Families who do not live in the attendance area of an elementary school that is not a districtwide option school can enroll their student in the school if all of the spaces at the school are not filled by students who live in the attendance area and the family can provide transportation to and from the school. This allows families to have the flexibility to choose what programming best suits their child(s) needs.
All incoming kindergarten students need to be enrolled through our Skyward system. Learn how to enroll your student below. Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is open!
Get Ready for Kindergarten
What does Kindergarten really look like?
Supt InThe Halls: Kindergarten Edition pt 1
What's a typical day for an RPS kindergartener? Is it exciting? Are teachers friendly? Will there be snacks? In the latest installation of Supt in the Halls, Dr. Kent Pekel sits with RPS Kindergarteners who share their insightful experiences about their expertise in their day to day activities of kindergarten.
Supt InThe Halls: Kindergarten Edition pt 2
We've got even more Kindergartener content for you all! Our Kindergarteners were so good that we couldn't fit them into one video! Watch the second part of Supt in the Halls: Kindergarten Edition (Now with more Kindergarteners!).
A Day in the life of an RPS Kindergartener
Making the transition into the school system can be an emotional time for you and your student. Whether you're a first-time parent or caregiver or if this is your last student entering kindergarten, our team of staff is ready to help you along the way. Take a peek into a day in the life of a Kindergarten student to learn more about what's in store for your student.