Rochester Public Schools

Longfellow 45-15 District-Wide Elementary School

Encouraging Exploration, Creativity, & Collaboration

Filled with natural daylight, the new $32.7 million Longfellow Elementary School features large and small group learning commons, a cafeteria, media center, gymnasium, playground, safe and secure entries, and classrooms specifically designed for students to gather and collaborate. The 100,500-square-foot building was completed in August 2022.

Project Type New Elementary School

Location Rochester, MN

Market Pre K-12 Schools

Services Architecture, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering

LON_LR1_SmallGroupLearning_Stairs_190940_05 — The light-filled learning commons serves as the perfect backdrop for small-group sessions, meetings between students and paraprofessionals, and a quiet place to read or study.

Learning From Each Other

Serving approximately 320 students in grades K-5 in southeast Rochester, MN, the design of Longfellow Elementary School reflects a population of diverse learners who represent an array of countries and cultures from around the world.

LON_LR2_Large Group Learning_190940_03 — A favorite among staff and students, the large learning commons provides plentiful daylight, comfortable seating, and state-of-the-art technology to its users.

Teaching and Learning Happen Everywhere

Longfellow 45-15 Elementary School follows a 45-15 instructional calendar with school beginning the last week of July, following a six-week summer vacation. Because Longfellow is an Apple Distinguished School, it was important to integrate technology into all areas of the building to help their educators prepare students for the future.

Still the Fan Favorite

Located outside the cafeteria and near the bus dropoff, the playground is the fan favorite among students at Longfellow. Fresh air, exercise, sunshine, and playing with friends are first and foremost when headed out the doors for recess.

A Gym That Rocks

The gym features a rock-climbing wall for students to enjoy and incorporates the building’s color theme of blue, green, orange, and gray.

Lunch, Anyone?

The two-story cafeteria is surrounded by clerestory windows that flood the space with natural daylight and a wall of large windows that look out onto the playground and bus dropoff area.

Branch Library

A favorite hangout for many students, the media center features a variety of books, cozy nooks, meeting rooms, and natural daylight.

Bright and Colorful Kindergarten Room

This kindergarten room serves as the perfect setting for the first step in a lifetime of learning.

Safe and Secure

This secure entry has a transaction window that connects to the main administrative office allowing staff to control entry and screen visitors thereby reducing congestion and confusion within the office.