October 1 is the common annual date when Rochester Public Schools reviews student enrollment for the school year. By this time, students who have entered or left the district are reflected in the total, providing an accurate count.
As of October 1, 2025, Rochester Public Schools (RPS) is reporting a significant increase in enrollment compared to both external and internal projections. A detailed study conducted in March 2025 by former Minnesota State Demographer Dr. Hazel Reinhardt projected that RPS would serve 16,234 Kindergarten–12th grade students this fall. District staff, in turn, projected 16,265 students for budgeting and staffing purposes. Actual enrollment on October 1 was 16,728 students—494 more than Dr. Reinhardt’s projection and 463 more than the district’s forecast.
The largest gains occurred in kindergarten and 12th grade, suggesting both renewed family confidence in beginning school with RPS and strong persistence through graduation. When students in early childhood, voluntary pre-kindergarten, preschool, and care and treatment programs are included, total district enrollment reached 17,441 students. That represents an increase of 118 students over last year's total of 17,323.
This enrollment growth will generate an estimated $3.4 million in additional revenue for the current fiscal year. While this does not eliminate the need to address the $13.5 million in projected budget reductions for 2026–2027, it will help offset those challenges.
RPS Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel said:
“At a time when declining birthrates and other factors are reducing enrollment in school districts nationwide, this is a promising sign that our efforts to be the educational provider of choice for Rochester families are starting to pay off. We are going to continue—and intensify—those efforts in the years ahead.”