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Education

Rochester offers a comprehensive and well-balanced array of public and private educational programs, from pre-school and kindergarten through adult education.  The public school curriculum focuses on basic academic skills and its eight elementary schools, while also preparing students to become productive, responsible citizens and neighbors.  While maintaining the academic emphasis, Rochester Middle School introduces students to a broader curriculum, encourages more independence and a greater degree of responsibility.  Spaulding High School offers a comprehensive program that includes a full complement of math, sciences, fine arts, English and foreign languages, vocational and technical education, Air Force R.O.T.C., social studies, business, and physical education.  After-school and before-school tutoring is provided for at all levels.  The District is focused on improving student’s reading skills, with the goal of 90% of third grade students reading on grade level.

Spaulding High School, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful high school facilities in New England, is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The school serves full-time students and offers adult education programs to the community for job retraining, vocational education, Adult Basic Education, computer, and a wide variety of special interests. Academics are complemented by a full range of extracurricular activities including drama, sports, music, vocational clubs and planned social events.

The recently renovated Richard W. Creteau Regional Technology Center is an integral part of Spaulding High School as well as a component in the region, The Technology Center offers Career and Technical Education programs in banking with a branch of Holy Rosary Credit Union on site, business programs, a culinary program with its own Cafe that serves the public, graphic arts, drafting, electronics, machine trades, health occupations, child care, automotive repair, woodworking, power mechanics, and family consumer science.

Rochester schools benefit from such organizations as the Parent-Teacher Organizations, various booster clubs, and music boosters that help raise funds for various school activities.

Tri-City Christian Academy, located in nearby Somersworth, serving families with children from Beginners (age 3) through High School, was established to edify Christian believers and to fulfill the Great Commission. From its beginning in 1985, the school has been an integral ministry of Tri-City Covenant Church.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School, located in nearby Dover, serves numerous families of many faiths (grades 9-12). St. Thomas strives to guide young men and women toward goals that are noble, faith-based, and aimed at serving their fellow human beings. St. Thomas serves families from more than 60 communities in the Seacoast area.  Tuition assistance is available.

Berwick Academy, located in nearby South Berwick, Maine, is an independent coeducational country day school, grades K-12 serving the Seacoast area of southern Maine and New Hampshire. In three divisions that are separate but coordinated for the continuing development of the student (Lower School, Middle School and Upper School), Berwick Academy establishes a learning partnership between the student and teacher that encourages the development of curiosity, creativity and academic excellence.  New highlights at the Academy are the Kozlowski Athletic Facility, Kindergarten Facility and a Science Facility.

Education for students with special needs, handicaps and learning disabilities are offered.

At the Monarch School of New England, their work begins with a simple, but powerful premise - every student has potential. As a nonprofit, specialized, day school for students ages 5-21 with significant disabilities, the Monarch School of New England provides a nurturing environment, and individualized support to help each student learn, grow and thrive. For over 40 years, the Monarch School of New England has been recognized for excellence and innovation in providing academic, therapeutic, life skills and vocational programming to students with special needs. To learn more, please visit: monarchschoolne.org.

Seacoast Learning Center in Rochester, servicing southeastern New Hampshire and southern Maine tutors dyslexic children one-on-one to remediate their individual needs free of charge.  The tutoring is performed by educators using Orton-Gillingham clinical techniques.

A number of child care facilities are also located through the City. Child development centers in Rochester vary in size offering progressive curriculums and the latest advancements for preschools.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Rochester schools provide continuing education opportunities. In addition to continuing education courses, two-year Associate degrees to four-year Bachelor degrees and higher education programs are available through accredited institutions such as Great Bay Community College in Rochester, the University of New Hampshire in Durham; and Granite State College.

Great Bay Community College, located at the Pease International Tradeport with its award winning campus in Rochester, is a two year school that is part of the New Hampshire Community College system. The campus in Rochester includes advanced manufacturing, CNC, NDT and welding labs outfitted with equipment used in industry. The Portsmouth campus includes designated lab spaces for life sciences, nursing, veterinary technology, computer technology, surgical technology and information systems technology. Both campuses offer high tech classrooms and ample space for students to study and gather. Visit www.greatbay.edu.

Granite State College (GSC) is New Hampshire’s public college for adult learners of all ages. Since 1972, GSC has provided statewide access to higher education to more than 50,000 students—online and at nine community based Academic Centers, including Rochester. Flexible bachelor and associate degrees, as well as post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs, meet the needs of both employers and working adults. Known for its small classes, affordable tuition, and supportive faculty, GSC is a leader in offering innovative online degree programs. Visit www.granite.edu.

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) in Durham encompasses an area of over 1,700 acres.  Founded in 1866 and its beginnings as an agricultural college, UNH quickly transformed.  Many of its creative systems and technological designs can be found all over the world and beyond including NASA. UNH is not only a land-grant institution but also a designated sea- and space-grant University, and is among the top-tier research institutions nationally. The University is made up of dozens of academic departments, interdisciplinary institutes, and research centers that attract students and faculty from around the world. As state-of-the-art facilities are built to support academic growth, and new residence and dining halls are built to meet the growing popularity of campus life, the University continues to rest lightly on the Durham landscape. Some 13,000 students and hundreds of faculty and staff live and work amid the rolling hills and riverbeds of one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. Visit www.unh.edu.

ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY

Located in the heart of downtown, the Rochester Public Library is a vital part of the city’s community, offering a full range of print, digital and electronic material for people of all ages. A wide variety of programs, such as book groups, entertainment, and summer reading activities are offered throughout the year and are always free of charge. Whether the programs are held within the Library or out in the community, the Library strives to connect with people and provide quality service to all. Even when the doors are closed, the Library is always available, offering downloadable materials, research resources and a full library catalog on their website, www.rpl.lib.nh.us. While at the Library, visitors can access the internet and public WiFi, as well as browse the Library’s collection of over ninety thousand books, audio books, movies, newspapers, and magazines. Visitors can also view a dynamic collection of art by visiting the Carnegie Gallery, a satellite of the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, located on the Library’s top floor. The Library staff looks forward to welcoming you as they assist you in accessing a wealth of educational and recreational materials.

Rochester Schools

School Dept. (Superintendent) - 603-332-3678 - www.rochesterschools.com
Bud Carlson Academy - 603-332-3768
Chamberlain School - 603-332-5258
East Rochester School - 603-332-2146
Gonic School - 603-332-6487
Maple Street Magnet School - 603-332-6481
McCelland School - 603-332-2180
Nancy Loud School - 603-332-6486
Richard Creteau Regional Technology Center - 603-332-0757
Rochester Middle School - 603-332-4090
School Street School - 603-332-6483
Spaulding High School - 603-332-0757
William Allen School - 603-332-2280

Other
Special Education
Library
Child Care Centers
Adult Education
Post-Secondary Education
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