Special Program Schools
Special program schools give RPS 205 families a public education option outside of their regular neighborhood school.
Our six special programs span from PreK to grade 12. Enrollment is by audition, testing or lottery for students across the Rockford community.
2023-2024 School Year Update for Special Program Schools
Updated Special Program Schools Attendance Requirements
Actualización de los requisitos de asistencia a las Escuelas de Programas Especiales
Explore RPS 205 Special Program Schools
Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)
Grades 6 - 12
Gifted Academy
Grades 1 - 12
International Baccalaureate
Grades K - 5
Maria Montessori at Marsh
Grades PreK (4 year olds) - 8
STEAM Academy at Haskell
Grades K - 5
Two-Way Language Immersion at Barbour
Grades K - 8
Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)
RPS 205 students have access to quality fine arts programs. Our creative and performing arts (CAPA) program encourages middle and high school students to further explore the arts.
Learn more about CAPA at West Middle School and how to join the family.
Learn more about CAPA at Auburn High School and how to join the family.
Gifted Academy
Rockford students qualify for the Gifted Academy testing in kindergarten, and eligibility tests are administered every year for new applicants in subsequent grade levels. The program starts in first grade and continues through high school.
Learn more about the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Elementary (grades 1-4) and how to join the family.
Learn more about the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall School (grades 5-8) and how to join the family.
Learn more about the Gifted Academy at Auburn High School and how to join the family.
International Baccalaureate Program
Rockford Public Schools will launch an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate School at Conklin Elementary School (K-5) in fall 2023.
Learn about the IB program and how to join the family.
Maria Montessori at Marsh
Our Maria Montessori program provides self-guided learning experiences to students in pre-k through eighth grade.
Learn more about Montessori and how to join the family
STEAM Academy at Haskell
Haskell welcomes K-5 students from all over the district who are interested in a STEAM education. The STEAM Academy at Haskell integrates science and technology, interpreted through engineering and the arts, all based in mathematical elements.
Learn more about STEAM and how to join the family
Two-Way Language Immersion at Barbour
Our two-way language immersion program lets kindergarten through eighth grade students learn and grow in a bilingual environment.
Learn more about Two-Way Language Immersion and how to join the family
Questions?
Tiffany Vang
Special Programs Coordinator