Frequently asked questions about RASA

What does RASA offer my child that public schools do not?
The focus of education at RASA is development of the global citizen. Our faculty are dedicated to prepare a future generation of highly educated global leaders who will seek to create an environment of equality and respect for all human beings. RASA’s ideals are closely aligned with those of the internationally respected International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and RASA is the only school in Rochester that is currently applying to be a candidate school. The IB diploma is recognized as a preferred credential at all of the nation‘s top tier universities. Recently the University of Minnesota announced its intention to award up to 32 credits, on admission, to IB diploma holders. This amounts to a full year’s savings on tuition, room, board and books.

RASA furthermore allows students to attend didactic classes appropriate to their level of achievement without requiring that this achievement be uniformly distributed across all disciplines. RASA’s curriculum is ability based in the areas of language arts, mathematics and foreign language; student remain with their age group peers for the remainder of the time, circumventing many of the difficulties of simple grade advancement. RASA actively encourages students to find and pursue their academic passions by requiring a period of student-directed independent study each school day; access to the entire faculty is available at this time.

At RASA we recognize that our parent community collectively possesses a staggering amount of knowledge, talents, and skills; and many are interested in participating in the school in some fashion. There is no requirement of such participation at RASA, but we will enthusiastically support any efforts by parents to enrich the education at RASA. This level of participation is fostered by a sense of community that is not always possible in other settings.

Is RASA only for gifted students?
At RASA we believe every child has the ability to learn at a much higher rate than the public schools currently offer. We also believe that each student should follow his or her innate intellectual compass, and have structured the curriculum to encourage and facilitate this. Although our curriculum may be perceived as demanding, we believe that by combining small classes consisting of students of comparable achievement, faculty who share the belief that the bar has traditionally been held far too low, and employing state-of-the-art educational techniques, we will produce an environment of engaging, high efficiency learning, negating the need for homework in the primary and middle school years. We feel the latter is important in order to maximize quality family time.

Is RASA only for wealthy and privileged children?
RASA, with the assistance of community members and local businesses intends to provide all students truly interested in attending RASA the opportunity to do so.

Will RASA have sports teams and an athletics department?
RASA will be partnering with the Recreation Center to offer physical education to its students. Daily physical education will be conducted in part at the Recreation Center. Students will participate in ice-skating, swimming, basketball, volleyball, yoga, tennis, and aerobics. RASA will partner with area public schools to provide after school team sports until it can develop its own.

Will RASA provide transportation for my child?
RASA, in partnership with the Rochester School District, will provide transportation to and from school for students, 5 years and over, that live over 1.25 miles from the school campus.

Will RASA provide before and after school care for students of working parents?
RASA will provide am/pm care for an additional fee, from 6:30 AM until 6:00 PM, for those students that may require additional care while their parents are at work. This after school time will also be used to conduct extracurricular activities organized by interested parents, or independently contracted lessons to groups of interested students.