The top reported proficiency rate is 61% in Math. The lowest is 17% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Longfellow 45-15 Districtwide Elem
Longfellow 45-15 Districtwide Elementary is a regular public school in Rochester, Minnesota, serving students from preschool through fifth grade. It operates within the Rochester Public School District. The school's name includes "45-15," which refers to a calendar structure where students attend for 45 days followed by 15 days off, a year-round schedule that redistributes breaks rather than following a traditional long summer vacation. For a family considering this school, the calendar itself is a defining characteristic worth understanding, as it shapes the rhythm of the school year.
The student body of this elementary school is diverse in composition. Enrollment is moderate for an elementary school serving this grade span. Just over half of the students identify as white, with Black students making up about a fifth of the population, and Hispanic students close to a tenth. A smaller share of students are Asian, and a modest portion identify with two or more races. A substantial share of students at Longfellow qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with a range of economic backgrounds. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not provided, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these programs and the share of students they serve.
Academically, the picture is mixed and varies by grade level and subject. In math, third graders demonstrated a strong proficiency rate, well above what a parent might expect to see in a typical school. Fourth grade math proficiency was more moderate, and fifth grade math proficiency was lower. In reading, the same pattern appeared: third graders had a solid proficiency rate, with fourth and fifth grade rates falling to a lower level. State testing data for science was available only for fifth grade, and that proficiency rate was low. It is worth noting that the state changed both the assessment name and cut scores for science in this testing year, which means the results may not be directly comparable to prior years. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, particularly to understand how the school supports students as they move through the upper elementary grades, where performance appears to dip.
Overall proficiency across all tested subjects and grades at Longfellow sits above the midpoint when compared to other elementary schools in Olmsted County, though it does not reach the top of that group. This positions the school as performing in the higher-middle tier of its county peers.
The context of the district matters here. Rochester Public Schools recently opened a new elementary school to address enrollment growth, which may affect attendance boundaries and building capacity over time. The district has also launched online learning options at both the elementary and secondary levels and established a Pathways in Technology Early College High School program for older students. These changes signal a district that is expanding its options, though they do not directly speak to the day-to-day experience at Longfellow.
The school is located in Rochester, a mid-sized city that functions as a regional healthcare hub anchored by the Mayo Clinic. The clinic is the dominant employer and draws millions of visitors annually, shaping the local economy and downtown character. Residential neighborhoods spread out from the core along the Zumbro River valley, and the downtown area features a network of skyways and subterranean walkways. The city is experiencing significant growth driven by a major development initiative. Housing values in the area are moderate, with rents also following that pattern, which may be relevant for families gauging affordability in the context of the school's calendar and programs.
For a parent weighing this school, the year-round calendar is the most distinctive feature and a major lifestyle consideration. Academically, the school shows strong early elementary results, especially in third grade math and reading, but those numbers decline in the upper grades. The school's overall county position is solid but not the top. A family whose child thrives in a structured, non-traditional calendar may find Longfellow a good fit, especially for the primary grades. A parent considering the school for a child entering fourth or fifth grade may want to ask about the specific instructional supports in those years.
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