Rochester Arts and Sciences Academy

974 Skyline Drive Southwest

Rochester, MN 55902

22 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-5
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 19, 2023

I have three kids at RASA and have been nothing but consistently impressed! Kids are doing so well at RASA! This is definitely the right educational choice for us!
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2022

We have had nothing but great experiences at RASA since our child began there 5 years ago. Having tried other private and public schools in town, RASA has been by far the best. The level of attention provided to each student by the staff and administration is unparalleled. With small class sizes and access to enrichments for gifted students and interventions for students who need extra help, the children feel calm and supported. The atmosphere throughout the school has remained one of joyful learning and productivity--throughout the pandemic. The curriculum encourages character values and skills that will be most needed in tomorrow's world: critical thinking, caring, communication, and problem-solving--both interpersonally and academically. The children form tight-knit friendships, and bullying is virtually non-existent. RASA is the only school in town we have found that provides 30 minutes of daily recess (as opposed to only 20 minutes daily at the public schools) and 30 minutes of daily outdoor physical education (as opposed to only 30 minutes 2 out of every 6 school days in the public schools). It is also one of the only schools teaching a second language in the primary grades--when it is easiest for children to learn languages. It is the only school in Rochester offering daily instruction in both Spanish and French. The music program is outstanding. The after-school clubs and care are excellent. Our child loves RASA. He is there from 8:00 AM to nearly 6:00 PM each day, and would stay longer if he could. Our family is so thrilled to see that RASA is now expanding into Middle School!
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2022

We cannot express how happy we have been with our experience at this school. The academic experience is head and shoulders above the public schools and unmatched by any private schools in the community. The International Baccalaureate curriculum pushes students to be leaders who think outside the box and explore their surroundings. Students enjoy small class sizes, twice daily language instruction (French and Spanish), accelerated math and reading, dedicated teachers, personalized daily instruction, music, art, among other things. The school provides an extended instructional day, longer school year, and breaks that are off-set from the other schools in the area. Afterschool clubs offer additional educational experiences. The community cares about each student individually and embraces their needs and skills seamlessly. This school is a gem.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2022

RASA is easily provides the most rigorous and supportive learning environment in the Rochester community. The community, academics, and student support are unparalleled.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2021

My wife and I tried to call them but no one answers the phone. And couple of times that they did they were rude and always in rush to hangs up: “ we will have our manager call you” is what they are taught to say to people. Don’t believe they know what they are doing there.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2019

We are grateful for RASA! They bring a small school feel, engaging teachers and staff, and a world view of inclusion, mutual respect, and kindness. The school continues to grow and I believe will expand into more traditional spaces over time, yet the creative ways the school handles the unique shared space is impressive. The door decoration competition was fantastic. The inclement weather policy is very supportive of the education first mission; I love that our kids can learn so much more than a school that shuts down when the weather is bad.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2018

My experience has not been very good. We will not return next year.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2017

As a new family to RASA, we were originally attracted to the school because of: small class sizes (1:15), cultural diversity, downtown location so We can easily eat lunch with our child/volunteer, foreign languages (French and Spanish 30min/day, per language), 60 minutes of recess/phy ed each day, 30 minutes per core subject (math, science, social studies, etc.), versus 45 minutes in most schools. The school and classroom learning envrionment is calm--no oversensory. We found the shorter class duration helped our child increase attention, absorption of the lesson content and application of the material learned. Our child enjoys the interactive, hands-on learning, plus 1:1 iPad. With a 1 hour longer school day, and a longer school year, RASA students are academically ahead of their same-grade peers at traditional public school. We love the term breaks throughout the year!! This gives our family time to connect and our child an opportunity to re-energize and refresh for the next term. The IB program teaches character and values that help students become community minded global citizens. We have seen daily growth in our child and the application of these IB values. Our child has learned compassion for others in a variety of situations and has learned strategies in how to take healthy risks. Including trying new things, being creative, and inventive. The principal and educators impress us daily!! They're very nurturing, adaptable, understand each child and family's unique needs and dedicated by giving 200% of their efforts and time to help each child become their best!! We are blessed to be part of the RASA family!!
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2017

Amazing school, lovely warm atmosphere. Teachers are so helpful and caring. My daughter is in kindergarten and loves going to school everyday. The enthusiasm from the staff combined with the curriculum means she is learning more and more everyday.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2016

RASA commences lessons at 8am daily (over an hour earlier than public schools) and does not finish earlier, so runs academically ahead of the public schools. Smaller class sizes also (about 11 - 14 kids per class). After school clubs include STEM, sports club, chess, yoga, theatre, & GATE. Great teachers, great principal, great private school in downtown Rochester. Across the road from May Clinic, on edge of a Mayo car-park, so very convenient for Mayo staff families.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2016

My son is entering his 4th year at RASA. It is an incredibly supportive environment with caring staff.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2015

Amazing small IB school - A community of teachers, students and parents committed to developing life long learners with a outward-focused world view. The Academic rigor is outstanding.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2015

I currently have two children enrolled at RASA (Kindergarten and Preschool). This is an outstanding school. The academics are rigorous (but realistic) and the teachers are incredibly dedicated to RASA's mission of high-quality education. As a pediatrician and a parent, I would recommend this school to any family looking for a private school experience in Rochester.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2015

The best school in Rochester, MN by far. We have two kids attending RASA for past two years and we cant be happier with their growth. We belong to the best rated public schools in Rochester, still we have made decision to continue with RASA. Great principal, outstanding teachers great kids and involved parents - a recipe for success..... We couldn't be happier with school choice for our kids
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2014

Small class sizes, individualized instruction, academically rigorous, responsive to parent concerns, and Spanish and French beginning in preschool. Only secular private school in Rochester.
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2014

I would give 6 stars!! RASA is excellent. Not only is RASA rigorous academically, the students learn to be culturally aware and to be good citizens. My son is in preschool and I couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2014

This is an amazing school. I have 2 children in this school and couldn't be happier. The children are in a wonderful community of other children. They are academically challenged. The small class size allows for lots of individualized attention. Both of my children are quite different in their needs. My daughter has learned to be assertive and now does great with public speaking. My son has learned to follow instructions and gained listening skills. This is the most rigorous school in town. The math and science are started early as are the foreign languages of which they are learning French and Spanish at all grade levels. The teachers are kind and caring and have a great balance of dicipline and nuturing. Both of my children have learned to be more independent in their school work and have been challenged at every level. The afterschool activities include science club which my daughter loves. The school truly puts the needs of the child first.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2014

We have been at the school now for three years and are constantly amazed at how well our two children are doing both academically and socially. Small class size, dedicated teachers, rigorous academics and two foreign languages all come together to make this an excellent small school. The teaching staff know all of the students giving the school a very friendly nurturing environment.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2014

RASA is an incredible, small school near downtown Rochester. We first started looking at private schools because at the time, the public schools only offered 1/2 day kindergarten. We couldn't be happier, and plan to keep our kids at RASA until they age out. There are small classes with amazing teachers, rigorous academics (our kindergartener now adds, subtracts, reads at a basic level, knows about countries around the world, speaks some basic french and spanish, and asks ridiculously insightul questions). And with all this, he loves going to school every single morning. There is after school care available - not just child care but also great activities like Chinese Club, piano lessons, and lego club. We can't recommend it highly enough.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2014

My son has been at RASA for 6 months in the Junior Kindergarten program and has really thrived there. As other parents have noted, it's the small classroom, individualized attention, and excellent language program that have been most impressive to us. Our son LOVES the daily French and Spanish classes (30 minutes each every day!) and we have been amazed by his language acquisition. Our son was already reading at a pretty advanced level coming into the school, so I can't really speak to much to their reading program. I don't think he is getting the individualized attention in that regard that I would hope for, but that has been an issue at all of the schools I've checked out at the Preschool/Pre-K level. The facility is not pretty, but the smallness of it makes him feel right at home. It is great to have to have an afterschool program right on site that includes things like Lego club, music lessons, etc. It is also very helpful as a working parent that the school year/school day are longer than most and that there are no "snow days." We are having a tough time figuring out to do for Kindergarten next year. RASA is great, but also looking at less expensive options.