Rochester Schools Unveil Plan to Boost Minority Student Performance

Gage Elementary identified as a 'racially isolated school' with goals to improve reading proficiency and teacher diversity

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Rochester Public Schools has released a new three-year achievement and integration plan aimed at improving the performance of minority and low-income students, particularly at Gage Elementary which has been designated as a 'racially isolated school' due to its high percentage of non-white students. The plan outlines district-wide goals as well as specific targets for Gage to increase reading proficiency, remove its 'racially isolated' designation, and boost the percentage of teachers of color at the school.

Why it matters

Rochester's student population is becoming increasingly diverse, with minority students now comprising the majority at Gage Elementary. This plan represents an effort by the district to address achievement gaps and provide equitable educational opportunities for all students, regardless of race or socioeconomic background.

The details

The district's $3 million in achievement and integration funding will support five district-wide goals, including reducing graduation rate disparities for Latino students, increasing postsecondary enrollment for low-income students, and expanding access to rigorous coursework for students of color. For Gage Elementary specifically, the plan aims to raise reading proficiency from 19% to 43.7% by 2029, work to remove its 'racially isolated' designation, and increase the percentage of teachers of color from 9.8% to 12%.

  • The plan covers the years 2026 to 2029.
  • Gage Elementary received its 'racially isolated' designation in the 2024-25 school year.
  • The district's baseline for Latino student graduation rate is from 2024, when it was 71%.
  • The baseline for postsecondary enrollment of low-income students is the class of 2023, at 54.2%.
  • The baseline for students of color taking rigorous courses is the 2024-25 school year, at 41.5%.

The players

Kent Pekel

Superintendent of Rochester Public Schools.

Gage Elementary

A 'racially isolated school' in Rochester with a student population that is majority non-white.

Minnesota Department of Education

The state agency that designated Gage Elementary as a 'racially isolated school'.

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What they’re saying

“The task is to make Gage into a school that families want to attend.”

— Kent Pekel, Superintendent (postbulletin.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This plan represents Rochester Public Schools' commitment to addressing achievement gaps and providing equitable educational opportunities for all students, particularly those from minority and low-income backgrounds. The focus on Gage Elementary, which has been designated as 'racially isolated,' highlights the district's efforts to create a more inclusive and welcoming learning environment for all students.