Rockford Area SchoolsRockford Elementary Arts Magnet SchoolGrades PreK-47650 County Road 50Rockford, MN 55373763-477-5837

Rockford Middle School Center for Environmental StudiesGrades 5-86051 Ash StreetRockford, MN 55373763-477-5831

Rockford High SchoolGrades 9-127600 County Road 50Rockford, MN 55373763-477-5846

Rockford Community Education7600 County Road 50Rockford, MN 55373763-477-4563

District Office6051 Ash StreetRockford, MN 55373763-477-9165

www.rockford.k12.mn.us

Rockford Area Schools

PreK - 12Public Schools

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A Tradition of Excellence

Federal and state laws prohibit discrimination in education based on sex/gender, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, disability, receipt of public assistance, or marital status and age.

Serving families living in:

Corcoran • Franklin Township • GreenfieldHanover • Independence • Maple GroveMedina • Rockford • Rockford Township

andCommunities of

Northwest Suburban Integration District

Rockford Area Schools

5 years of excellence - a successful launch of improvements & pride

Rockford Area Schools provides quality services and support for life-long learning opportunities. Helping every student be successful is at the heart of our mission of educating students for life. We are proud of our staff and the community for their dedication to and support of student success.

Excellence in Our Programs: •7th year of All Day-Everyday

Kindergarten•3rd & 4th Grade Piano Lab•5th Grade Band• FFA Program - placing at State•Agriculture Program• Project Lead the Way (Engineering)•Machining Program•Business Program including DECA and

School Store•National School of Excellence awarded

to Rockford Middle School

Excellence in Community Education•4-Star rated preschool•Wide variety of ECFE courses• School-age care conveniently located

in the elementary building• Premier gymnastics program• Impressive Rocket Power Fitness Center •Community center with many

amenities•Nearly 1,000 active members

Excellence in Our FacilitiesA $27 million capital bond passed in 2012 has significantly improved and enhanced our facilities.

Excellence with PartnersLearning experiences are enhanced through partnerships: U of M Raptor Center, St. Cloud State, Three Rivers Park District, Ames-Florida Stork House, BestPrep, General Electric, Deep Portage Learning Center, Wright County Soil & Water Conservation District, a local dairy farm, and numerous local manufacturing and financial businesses supporting our machining program.

Excellence Through Community SupportMany organizations support our schools: Dollars for Scholars, Music Partners, STRIVE Mentor Program, Rockford Area Athletic Association, Rocket Boosters, and Rockford Education Foundation

District OverviewGeographic Area: Wright and Hennepin Counties, 12 miles west of Plymouth Student Population: 1,820 students (PreK–12)

Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School: Kindergarten – 4th Grade

Rockford Middle School - Center for Environmental Studies: 5th – 8th Grade

Rockford High School: 9th – 12th Grade

Member of the Northwest Suburban Integration School District

A Tradition of Excellence One Student at a Time

The Launching Pad Preschool provides an outstanding and unique public preschool experience for your child. We embrace a Reggio

Emilia-inspired philosophy and Creative Curriculum.

The Reggio-inspired approach encourages exploration, discovery and critical thinking. Our Creative Curriculum is research based, and aligned with the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs).

A $27 million bond issue was approved by the voters in November 2012, for buildings, grounds and infrastructure improvements.

The Launching Pad PreschoolState of the Art Facilities

Our program is founded on the belief that all children have great potential, are curious, and are interested in constructing their learning. Learning activities are exciting, creative, and developmentally appropriate. These key elements encourage children’s growth and learning:

Project-based learning:Stresses individual and small group investigation of topics that are of interest to the children. Teachers integrate skills acquisition within the project work.

Inquiry-based learning:Emphasizes thinking and problem solving, and is a natural progression for students as they move into kindergarten and the primary grades.

Authentic Art:Helps children find expression through authentic art experiences and provides the opportunity to explore materials and processes.

Includes:

• Inviting classrooms, rich with opportunities

•A large motor room

•A child-sized playground to share with kindergarten

•Weekly scheduled visits to the school library

Launching Pad Preschool offers:

Full Day Programs:2 or 3 days per week

Half Day Programs:2, 3 or 5 days per week

4-star Parent Aware rated program.

This reflects our commitment to high quality programming using research-based best practices, while preparing children for success in kindergarten and beyond.

Recently Upgraded Facilities

•New artificial turf activities field•New track•New lighted varsity baseball field•Multiple softball/baseball pinwheels•New gymnastics training center•New tennis courts •Remodeled auditorium including

new sound systems and lighting improvements

•Band & choir wing upgrades including new instrument, music and uniform storage cabinetry

•Additional parking•New drop-off area and pedestrian

approach at activities entrance

•New entrance plaza and athletic corridor entry

•New upper campus renovations with paved parking lot

•New soccer and practice fields•Rocket Power Center for Community Ed

members and Athletic training•Roof replacement

All three buildings•Replacement/improvements of the

HVAC systems and boilers•New phone system district-wide

3-5 years

Rocket pride starts here

Discover Your Child’s Passionthrough the Arts

About Our Facility• State of the art facility – Built in 2001,

Updated in 2014

• School safety – controlled access entry and fully-staffed, student drop off zone

•Galaxy Kids School Age Care Program located in REAMS

• Separate classroom wing and playground for kindergarten students

•Two computer labs, classroom sets of iPads and Chromebooks, ActivBoards in all classrooms, grades 1–4

Recognition 2015 Celebration eligible

2013 Celebration School*

2012 Reward School

*Under the new Multiple Measures Rating system because of the growth shown in reducing the achievement gap.

Rockford ElementaryArts Magnet School

Arts InfusionTeaching through the arts helps students experience concepts rather than merely discussing or reading about them. REAMS continues partnering with arts agencies to provide staff development for teachers and artist in residence opportunities for the students at each grade level.

About Our TeachersOur teachers participate in professional learning sessions throughout the year focused on best practices in teaching and infusing arts and technology into the classroom. They are dedicated to developing your child’s learning potential and are sensitive to your child’s individual needs.

Innovative Instruction•Balanced Literacy Program•Arts-Infused Curriculum•Artist and Author in Residence

Learning Experiences• Piano Lessons for 3rd & 4th Grade• EXCEL - Gifted and Talented Program•Genius Hour and WIN (What I Need)

are built into the school day to provide support and enrichment for student learning

All-Grade Experiences•Kindness Project• STAR Student Program• Spotlight Concerts

At REAMS, students experience the artistic disciplines of dance, music, visual art, literary

arts and media arts. Our school provides a strong academic core with the opportunity for creative expression, critical thinking, self -confidence, communication skills, appreciation of the arts, and multicultural experiences.

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REAMS

Rocket Pride!• Four students earned perfect scores in the

Continental Math League

• Aviation Art Contest winners since 2005

• Annual Celebration of Young Musicians Music Festival participants since 2000

• Students read over 16,000 books during “I Love to Read” month

Kindergarten-4th Grade

Recognition•2015 U.S. Department of Education Green

Ribbon School

•2015 1st Place Recipient of the Profile of Excellence Award by the Minnesota Rural Education Association

•2015 Local Government Innovation Award Winner Humphrey School of Public Affairs University of Minnesota

•2015 Star of Innovation Silver Star Winner Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals

Rockford Middle SchoolCenter for Environmental Studies

Our Unique Outdoor Classrooms• Student-run grape vineyard • Straw Bale Garden•Outdoor “Learning Lab” Featuring

Gravity-Fed Drip Irrigation for Multiple Raised Gardens

•RMS - Indoor Classrooms and Labs•Rain Gardens•DNR-Approved School Forest•Close proximity to the Crow River•Ames-Florida Stork House• Lake Rebecca Park Reserve•Baker Near Wilderness Settlement•Deep Portage Learning Center

AcademicsOur schedule is specifically designed to provide standards-driven core instruction to all students while meeting individual needs during Boost classes; which are designed to meet individual student needs through additional math instruction, development of literacy, or gifted and talented programming.

STEM magnet schoolWe go beyond curricular connections and offer students opportunities to engage in hands-on, project-based learning through Exploratory classes built around STEM standards. All students engage in STEM-related field experiences in collaboration with our partners.

Preparing Students for Future Success

Exploratory ClassesStudents explore multiple STEM-related topics through project-based learning.Exploratory Classes include:•The secret of flight• Feeding the world’s population in 2050•Reducing our carbon footprint

Real-world experiencesStrong partnerships with environmental groups provide real-world, authentic learning experiences.•Raptor Center at the U of M•Deep Portage 3-Day Trip•Baker Near Wilderness Settlement•Other STEM-related opportunities

High school preparationStudents enter high school with extensive experiences in core subjects, especially the STEM fields; which prepare them to begin making decisions about their future.•Career Fair•Year-long transition between middle

school and high school•Mentorships

At RMS-CES, students are empowered to become innovators through engaging, authentic, and developmentally

appropriate opportunities, access to a strong academic foundation, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

5th-8th Grade

Rockford High School

College-level CurriculumStudents can take advantage of many rigorous college-level courses.

College in the Schools (CIS)Eight - CIS courses are offered at RHS.This program allows eligible juniors and seniors to enroll and earn college credit in courses taught at RHS through St. Cloud State University and Southwest Minnesota State University.

Advanced Placement Courses (AP)These college-level courses allow students to learn a subject in depth, develop analytical reasoning skills and form disciplined study habits that can contribute to continued success at the college level. Students can earn college credit by taking the AP test.

AVIDAVID is a college readiness system that is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. This is a whole school

initiative intended to ensure four-year college eligibility for all students.

Career & Technical EducationRHS offers numerous courses that provide career-specific training for students.

Industrial Technology Machining Trades, Wood-working, Metal-working, and Welding

Agriculture Agri-Business, Animal Sciences,Intro to Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife, Companion Animals, Horse and Horsemanship, Leadership and Personal Development

Business Intro to Business, Accounting, Marketing, Personal Finance and DECA School Store

Project Lead the Way (PLTW)The PLTW pre-engineering courses complement traditional mathematics and science courses as the foundation for STEM-centered academics.

Rockford High School is a small school with an enrollment of under 500 students in 9th – 12th grades, providing students

access to a variety of academic, artistic, and athletic opportunities. RHS staff takes great pride in cultivating personal relationships with students and their families to provide academic, social and emotional support.

RHS offers full-year core classes. 9th and 10th grade students will have English, Math, Science, and Social Studies for a full-year. 11th and 12th grade students will have the option of full-year standard level core classes or two-trimester college-level core courses.

RHS RecognitionNamed the 2016 Readers Choice Best Public School by Crow River News

Multiple Pathways to Success• Increased business, agriculture

and industrial tech courses

•New machining program

•Opportunity to earn college credit - 8 College in the Schools courses and 2 AP courses

•Training opportunities for a high-paying job

9th-12th Grade

A small school with top educational opportunities

Flexible Learning TimeTwo days each week, students have scheduled time to connect with teachers individually or in small groups, collaborate with peers, or work independently. During Flexible Learning Time, RHS teachers are available to students, and have work time in their Professional Learning Community (PLC).

Activities

Fine Arts & ActivitiesA Cappella ChoirAuditorium TechniciansBelle Canto Women’s EnsembleCaptains CouncilConcert BandEquestrianFuture Farmers of America (FFA)Jazz BandMarching BandMock TrialNational Honor SocietyOne-Act PlayPep BandRoboticsSki ClubSpanish ClubSpeechStudent CouncilThree Act Play/MusicalYearbook Staff

AthleticsBaseballBasketball (girls & boys)Cheerleading (girls & boys)Cross Country (girls & boys)Dance TeamFootballGolf (girls & boys)GymnasticsHockey (girls & boys)Lacrosse (girls & boys)Soccer (girls & boys)SoftballTrack and Field (girls & boys)TrapshootingVolleyballWrestling

Leadership Opportunities

Link Crew Transition ProgramAs positive role models, Link Crew Leaders are mentors and student leaders who guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful during the transition to high school and help facilitate a successful high school experience.

Student CouncilThe student council helps share students’ ideas, interests, and concerns with teachers and school administrators.

National Honor SocietyAn organization that recognizes outstanding high school junior and senior students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.

Student Building Leadership TeamThis group of students are interested in enhancing the RHS experience. Recent action items include the formation of a Finals schedule, refinement of flexible learning time for students in grades 9-12, and procedures regarding students that take multiple College in the Schools (CIS) courses.

Rockford High School offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities and sports for students in grades 7-12 to participate in throughout the school year.

RHS Activities Recognition•2014, 2015, 2016 - RHS Jazz Dance Team

qualifies for state tournament

•2013 (4th), 2014 (3rd) - Softball Team Qualifies for state tournament

•2014, 2015, 2016 - Track and Field, Wrestling and Gymnastics individual state participants

•RHS Band and Choir continue to earn multiple superior and best in site ratings at their regional solo and ensemble contests.

Amazing Stats!•68% of RHS students participate

in an extracurricular activity

•45% of RHS student participate in two or more activities

Wright County Conference

2015 Pole Vault

State Ch

amp

Community Education

Community Education Offers:

• Early Childhood Education

•The Launching Pad Preschool

•Galaxy Kids School-Age Care Program

•Rocket Gymnastics Program in a new state of the art gymnastics facility

•Variety of classes offered every season - for community members of all ages

•Memberships that include access to the Community Center, Rocket Power Fitness Room and fitness classes

Grounded in the core values of lifelong learning and citizen involvement, the Rockford Area Schools Community Education Department is an integral component of the school district. Community Ed programming enhances life and expands personal potential by providing opportunities for learners of every age through a variety of programs and services.

Building a great place to live is the simple goal of Rockford Community Education.

Early Childhood Family EducationBirth – Preschool

Galaxy Kids School-Age CarePreschool – 6th Grade

(ECFE) is a program for all Minnesota families with children between the ages of birth to school age. The program is offered through Minnesota public school districts.

Together, parents and children, newborn to kindergarten age, participate in activities and experiences that foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and language skills.

All ECFE classes are taught by licensed teachers and parent educators to provide the quality education for which parents are looking.

A typical ECFE Class includes:

Together Time Parent and child together enjoy a classroom filled with developmentally appropriate learning activities.

Parents’ Time Parents separate from their children and join together for a discussion group facilitated by a Parent Educator.

Children’s Time While parents are in discussion, children participate in activities facilitated by an Early Childhood Teacher.

Galaxy Kids is a school-age care program for students enrolled in preschool through sixth grade. It is open 6:00 am–6:00 pm, offering flexible care options to meet your care needs. Our staff have many years of experience and strive to create a caring, quality learning environment that complements each child’s needs. The program encourages self-expression and creativity, builds self-esteem and confidence, and promotes positive behavior, social skills, and friendships.

Galaxy Kids offer:

•Before school care for preschool through 4th grade

• Preschool Extended Care

•After school care for preschool through 6th grade

• Enrichment programs, homework help, and curriculum support

• Flexible monthly schedules

• Full-day care on non-school days and extended morning care on late start days.

•Drop-off and pick-up assistance for Community Education programs and classes during Galaxy Kids Program hours.

COMMUNITYEDUCATION

Rockford Area Schools

Building a Communityfor Life-Long Learning