This week we welcomed our incoming 9th grade class. We had a great time sharing about RALC, the supports available to them, creating community, getting them familiar with the building and so much more.

Special shout out to Hollandberry Pannekoeken for their donation of muffins for all students and staff for Friday breakfast.


Looking forward to having you all join us in August.

about 14 hours ago, Amy Petersilie
Communication challenge
STEAM challenge
Roch climbing
Declan and Mac
muffin donation

Drivers Education class had more hands on learning with the guest speakers.

Kris joined us from First Student to help students understand bus safety, blind spots, and basics of the bus.

Officer Condon talked about car liabilities, laws, and how to keep a clean record.

Valeria Cristiani shared her personal story concerning the impact of organ donation.

1 day ago, Amy Petersilie
discussing the cameras and the flashing lights on the bus
Understanding the build of the bus
Officer Condon educating students from experience and facts
Dr. Valeria Cristiani

Summer Try a Trade with RCTC

15 RALC students put their skills to test in HVAC/Plumbing, Carpentry, Welding, and Auto Tech during this 4 days camp. Great opportunities for RALC students to learn about what the like and do not like as well as building basic knowledge and skills.

9 days ago, Amy Petersilie
Joel taking his hand at the welding simulator
Evie Learning electrical to activate the light
Jacob prepping for soldering
auto class learning about changing a tire
Jah'miz changing the tire
Jazzy learning to use the table saw
Aniya working on her tech device project
Janay with her final Tech device project
James with his welding creation
Summer School is well on its way.

Drivers Education students have started their journey to state-approved drivers this week. Their class welcomed in Shawn from State Farm to talk about auto insurance, safe driving savings, and all the ins and outs of insurance.

Cinema and Reality class has been diving deep into real-life historical events and natural disasters depicted through cinema and reflecting on the balance between entertainment and authenticity.
15 days ago, Amy Petersilie
Shawn from State Farm and his two interns presenting today
Drivers Education
Cinema and Reality
Reflection and discussion
Abdullahi (night school student) has been having the time of his life. Tuesday June 9 and Wednesday 10th he participated in the aviation camp at Lake Superior College for Advanced Aviation. This event is geared toward students interested in pilot and aircraft mechanic careers. It included interactive simulation activities, tours of local aviation facilities and actual flight opportunities.

Way to go Abdullahi
17 days ago, Amy Petersilie
Lake Superior College - Center for Advanced Aviation
view from the flight
All geared up for the flight
Abdullahi up front ready to fly
Olmsted County 4H comes in teach weekly STEM activities - from clay to painting to planting! Grateful for this partnership.
26 days ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
4H partnership
4H partnership
4H partnership
Congratulations to our 2026 RALC Graduates! We're so proud of your perseverance. You chose to keep going, and that made all the difference. We wish you the best in your next steps!
29 days ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
graduationgraduation
graduation
graduation
graduation
graduation
graduation
graduation
graduation
graduation
ALC students worked hard volunteering at the 5th Grade Track & Field event! Special thank you to Toppers Pizza for the pizza lunch donation. It was SO appreciated!
about 1 month ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Track & Field
Congratulations, Billi Shae and Nahdia Gonzalez (not pictured)! Both students won $500 scholarships from the American Business Women's Association.
about 1 month ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
student at podium
student with certificate
We're so fortunate to have a full-time Workforce Development Youth Career Planner on-site at the RALC! Tonya helps students find jobs and explore future careers. Here, students are using virtual reality simulators to test out careers!
about 1 month ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
VR headsets
VR headsets
VR headsets
As part of a partnership with UMN Extension and an English/Social Studies class, three students developed a lesson around conservation ("leave no trace"). They went to Riverside today where they taught their lesson to a 4th grade leadership group. They were absolutely amazing! They had a fantastic mix of presentation slides and interactive instructional techniques, a fun Kahoot, a matching activity, and "dirt in a cup" dessert making. All in an hour!
about 1 month ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
Riverside
Riverside
Riverside lesson
Riverside
Each week, students volunteer at Ben Franklin Elementary. Here, they're helping second graders make items for their Market Day... and then facilitating parachute fun at break!
about 1 month ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
Volunteering at Ben Franklin
Volunteering at Ben Franklin
Volunteering at Ben Franklin
Students/Mentors had their end-of-year STRIVE celebration! In this program, Rotary Club volunteers mentor senior students to help prepare them for life after graduation. Also, our scholarship student winners were officially announced! Congratulations to all!
about 1 month ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
scholarships night
STRIVE celebration
ALC Plant Sale! Stop by May 19-22, 8:30am-9am, 12-12:30pm, OR 3:10-3:30pm!
about 1 month ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
plant sale
The ALC is grateful to partner with the Mayo Clinic's Blood Drive program. They bring their mobile bus on-site to our students, who are often first-time donors. Twenty-one staff and students attempted to donate, and they ultimately collected a total of 14 units! Each donation helps save up to 3 lives--that's up to 42 people that ALC staff and students helped!
about 1 month ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
blood drive
RALC Student Career Fair 2026! Students had an opportunity to interact with and learn from a variety of career, college, and military-based organizations. We hope students left more aware of possibilities for themselves and their future. Thank you to all of the organizations that came to support our students.
about 2 months ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
Career Fair
Career Fair
Career Fair
Career Fair
Career Fair
Career Fair
Career Fair
Career Fair
Career Fair
Career Fair
FREE EVENT! Stop by at Christ United Methodist Church on Friday, May 22, 10am-2pm, for FREE services: This includes haircuts, shoes, legal services, employment resources, photo ID information, medical services, AND MORE! *** FREE city busy ride, all routes (just tell the driver you're going to Project Community Connect) ***
about 2 months ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
event flyer
Our FYEX students (First Year College Experience class) completed their first college class! In their final presentations, they shared their biggest takeaways. Congratulations, students!
about 2 months ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
FYEX presentation
FYEX presentation
FYEX presentation
Upcoming FREE Dermatology Clinic - Saturday, May 9, 12:30-3:30pm. Location: Christ United Methodist Church.

* Skin Cancer Screenings
* Foot Care
* Acne
* Skin Infections and Rashes
* Wound Care
* Free Socks & Footwear
* Free Skincare Products
about 2 months ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
free dermatology clinic
Students participated in a welding competition event at the Local 6 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union! #exploringtrades


about 2 months ago, Rochester Alternative Learning Center
welding competition
welding competition
welding competition
welding competition
welding competition