The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in Math. The lowest is 35% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Bishop Elementary
Bishop Elementary, a regular public school in Rochester, Minnesota, serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. For a parent or resident, this school presents a mixed academic picture within a stable, family-oriented setting. The school operates as part of the Rochester Public School District, a system that has recently added a new elementary school, Overland Elementary, to address growing enrollment, and has expanded online learning options for families through programs like MNSync Online Elementary and Secondary.
The student body is diverse. The largest group of students is white, and there are substantial shares of Asian, Black, and Hispanic students, along with a smaller number of students who identify as two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school's enrollment is a size consistent with a neighborhood elementary school in a mid-sized city.
State testing results from the most recent school year give a nuanced view. In mathematics, proficiency rates were solid in third and fourth grades, but dropped by fifth grade. In English language arts, proficiency rates across third, fourth, and fifth grades were clustered in a mid-range, with no grade reaching a majority proficient. Fifth-grade science results were lower, with a minority of students scoring proficient. Compared to other elementary schools in Rochester Public School District, Bishop Elementary's overall proficiency across tested subjects placed it above the midpoint among its district peers.
A parent looking at these results will see a school where early math is a relative strength, but where reading and later elementary math show room for growth. The fifth-grade science result, in particular, is a soft spot that a parent may want to look into further with the school to understand the instructional approach and any support strategies in place. The state changed the science assessment in this year, which may affect direct comparisons with prior years.
Rochester itself is a regional healthcare and commercial hub, dominated by Mayo Clinic. The city is experiencing modest growth, driven by the Destination Medical Center initiative, a major development plan that involves significant investment in infrastructure and facilities. The city's economy is stable and employment is strong. Housing values in the area around Bishop Elementary are above the national median, and rents are also above average, reflecting the desirability of the city and the economic draw of its major employer.
The district has taken steps to provide more choices for families. Besides Overland Elementary, a new school opened in 2023 to relieve overcrowding, there is also P-TECH, a program that allows high school students to earn an associate degree. The district's online options, MNSync, provide an alternative to in-person instruction. These district-level changes suggest a system that is responsive to growth and looking to offer multiple pathways.
So, who is this school for? A family that values a diverse, mid-sized neighborhood elementary school in a growing, economically stable city will find Bishop Elementary a reasonable starting point. The academic data suggests a school that performs solidly in early math but is working to bring reading and later elementary performance up to the same level. A parent whose child is a strong early reader may want to ensure the school has adequate enrichment. A parent whose child needs extra support in reading or science would want to investigate what interventions and programs the school offers. The absence of data on special education and English learner populations means a parent with a child in those categories should ask the school directly about support structures and staffing. The school is a regular public school, not a magnet or charter, so it serves its neighborhood attendance area. For a family weighing the trade-offs, the academic picture is one of a school with clear strengths and clear challenges, set in a community with a strong economic foundation and a school district that is investing in new facilities and program options.
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