Original Research by School Decision on Rochester Academy of Science Charter School
Rochester Academy of Science Charter School is a tuition-free, STEAM-focused college-preparatory charter school operating as part of the Buffalo Academy of Science network within Monroe County. It is a young and actively growing entity, adding grade levels year by year toward its authorized full K-12 configuration, so families choosing this school should understand that programs and upper grades are still being phased in over time rather than fully established.
The school currently serves kindergarten through ninth grade with a total enrollment of approximately two hundred sixty students spread across those levels. Its student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial minority population overall. The school reports a chronic absenteeism rate that places it in the bottom quartile among Monroe County's districts, meaning attendance is a softer area a parent may want to discuss with the school when considering enrollment. State testing proficiency data and a four-year graduation rate were not available in the comparison data, likely because the school does not yet serve grade ranges that generate those measures in the current reporting year.
The school's defining features are its STEAM-infused curriculum and college-preparatory mission, alongside structural supports such as free meals, uniforms, and a Chromebook for each student. Admission is open to all students with no testing, interviews, or essays required; if applications exceed available seats, enrollment is determined by random public lottery. This setup makes the school accessible without barriers to entry, though families should be aware that the school's grade span and curriculum are both still maturing. The school operates within the Rochester City School District and is authorized by SUNY.
For families considering this school, the key distinction is growth stage. This is not an established, long-standing charter with a full instructional pipeline; it is a newer entity deliberately expanding. That can mean opportunity and fresh momentum, but it also means less institutional track record, fewer years of upper-grade outcomes to examine, and programs that are being built alongside the student body. Parents should weigh whether they value the charter's STEAM focus, network affiliation, and open-enrollment model enough to participate in that building process, and they should ask the school directly about its current trajectory, staffing plans, and how far along particular grade-level programs are.
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