Rochester City School District welcomes more than 20,000 students back for the 2026–2027 school year

Rochester, New York – The Rochester City School District has officially begun the 2026–2027 school year, welcoming more than 20,000 PreK-12 students back to classrooms across the city on Tuesday, September 8.

The first day marked the return of students, teachers, administrators and families following the summer break, while district leaders outlined the priorities that will guide the school system throughout the coming year. This year, the District is placing a strong emphasis on communication, family involvement, student support and the shared responsibility of helping young people succeed.

The District-wide theme for the new school year is Connected in Action: Strengthening our Commitment to Accelerate Student Success. The theme reflects an effort to bring schools, families, educators and the broader Rochester community closer together around the needs and achievements of students.

“Our goal is to ensure that we are working with our families and the community to be able to elevate and celebrate all students’ achievements,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools. “The first day of school is like Christmas Day for educators; it provides us with an opportunity to welcome our gifts back to our school District so that we can then cherish and support them as they continue.”

According to the District, being “Connected in Action” means creating stronger relationships and improving the way information and support move between the central administration, individual schools and families. Leaders say clearer communication, stronger support for schools and deeper family engagement will all be important parts of the work during the school year.

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At the same time, the Rochester City School District is sharpening its attention on three basic areas of student achievement, described as the “ABCs”: attendance, books and conduct.

Attendance is one of the District’s major concerns. Officials are encouraging students to make being in school every day a priority, while asking parents and families to help establish strong attendance habits from the beginning of the year.

“We’re challenged by our attendance here in Rochester,” said Dr. Casandra Wright, Deputy Superintendent. “We want parents and children to know students should be in school every single day.”

To support that goal, the District is promoting a community-driven initiative called “Strive for Five: Show Up Strong, 5 Days Long.” The campaign is designed to encourage students to develop consistent attendance habits and understand how regular participation in school can support their progress.

Reading is the second major focus. Through the “Level Up for Literacy” campaign, the District is asking students to spend more time reading and discussing what they read. The initiative is also intended to involve the wider Rochester community in creating a stronger culture of daily reading.

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“We want students focused on what they are reading, talking about it, and reading some more,” said Dr. Wright.

The final part of the ABC approach is conduct. District officials are reminding students that respectful behavior is an important part of creating a positive school environment and supporting academic success.

“Kind, considerate, and respectful behavior will help you be successful throughout the school year,” said Dr. Wright.

District leadership met with members of the media Tuesday morning at Montessori Academy School No. 53, where officials discussed the opening of the school year and the work being done at the school level.

Susan Ladd, a School Chief for the Rochester City School District, described her role as connecting the District’s central administration with individual schools. She said school chiefs help make sure District priorities are understood and carried out by principals and educators.

“It’s our job to be the bridge between what is happening at Central Office and what’s happening at the school level,” said Ladd. “We take all the District initiatives, make sure our principals have the professional learning they need to be successful, and then make sure they are carrying that on with the students.”

At School No. 53, one of the new efforts this year will be a level up academy, an after-school program aimed at giving selected students additional help in math and reading.

Principal Djinga St. Louis said the program will focus on students who may need extra academic support, including those who experienced learning loss during the summer.

“To get students over whatever hump they may have brought with them when they have that summer learning loss and to keep it going throughout the school year so they can be ready for those high-stakes tests in the spring,” said St. Louis. “This will be for a selected age group of students who show high needs and could use extra support.”

The program reflects the District’s broader goal of providing additional assistance where students need it rather than waiting until later in the school year to address academic challenges.

As the new school year gets underway, district officials are encouraging families to remain involved, read with their children and help them establish reliable school routines. Leaders say those everyday efforts, combined with the work taking place inside Rochester schools, can help students remain on track throughout the year.

For the more than 20,000 students returning to classrooms, the opening of the 2026–2027 school year represents a fresh start. For the District, it is also the beginning of another year of work centered on attendance, literacy, positive conduct and stronger connections between schools and the Rochester community.