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Rochester Catholic Schools (RCS) have provided quality education in Rochester, Minnesota, for over 120 years. The system educates approximately 1,750 students (2008-09 school year) in grades Preschool through 12 at four elementary schools and one high school. RCS schools promote faith formation, academic excellence, and community service for all students. RCS serves the greater Rochester area Catholic community.
In December 1877, classes were opened at the Academy of Our Lady of Lourdes with approximately 210 female students. In 1910, the Academy became the nucleus of Saint John's High School. In 1912 two schools were operating - one for boys to be taught by the Christian Brothers, and known as Heffron High School; the other a Catholic girls’ high school, to be staffed by the Sisters of Saint Francis and called Saint John's High School for Girls. In 1925, the two schools became one co-educational institution known as Saint John's High School. The former Heffron building was converted into an elementary school housing the first six grades. In 1941, the naming of the new facility under construction as Lourdes High School was announced.
Rochester's Charter Catholic School Board held its first meeting in October 1966. The thirteen-member policy-making board governed the city's four Catholic schools for a number of years. Eventually this board was dissolved to allow each individual school to form its own board.
In 1991 the decision was made to incorporate the Rochester Central Catholic Schools Board of Education as a representative body for the entire Catholic School System once again. The Rochester Catholic Schools formed a Rochester Central Schools Board in August of 1990 and dissolved local school boards. Board by-laws were revised in 1997 and the Board structure was changed. Additionally the name Board was changed to Council. The new Rochester Catholic Schools System (RCS) includes Lourdes High School, St. John the Evangelist School, St. Pius X School, St. Francis of Assisi School and Holy Spirit School. Each site was founded separately and has undergone remodeling and additions. Currently, planning is under way for a new Lourdes High School building and campus, to be located at the corner of 19th Street and Valleyhigh Drive NW.
RCS is located 90 miles south of Minneapolis/St. Paul, in Minnesota’s third largest city and one of the fastest growth areas outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Rochester’s economy is strong and diverse, built around health care, hospitality, high technology, and agriculture. Rochester is the home of the world renowned Mayo Clinic and the largest IBM complex under one roof. Rochester’s largest employer is Mayo Clinic, which employs approximately 30,000 people. This creates a population with relatively high socio-economic and educational levels. 34% of Lourdes High School students have a parent whose highest level of formal education is a Bachelor’s degree. 27% have achieved a Masters degree and 26% have achieved a Doctorate or equivalent degree.
View the Rochester Catholic Schools Strategic Plan Summary
Leadership
Rochester Catholic Schools have provided quality education in Rochester, Minnesota, for over 120 years. Our school system educates 1,700 students (2007-08 school year) in grades Preschool through 12 at four elementary schools and one high school. Our schools promote faith formation, academic excellence, and community service for all students. We foster a Catholic culture dedicated to the following commitments:
- Values-based education in a Christ-centered environment
- Caring, passionate and welcoming staff and students
- A safe and respectful educational environment
- Catholic identity dedicated to faith formation
- Affordable and accessible to all
- Challenging and stimulating curriculum
We welcome you to Rochester Catholic Schools.
