Special Education

Welcome Back, Rock Ridge Community!

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! This year marks an exciting new chapter for Rock Ridge Public Schools as we open the Rock Ridge Life & Learning Center.

The Life & Learning Center was created to provide specialized, student-centered programming for students with unique educational, behavioral, communication, sensory, and functional learning needs. The center will serve students from kindergarten through age 22, including our Bridge to Independence transition program.

Our dedicated teachers, paraprofessionals, related-service providers, and support staff have worked hard to prepare a welcoming, safe, and supportive learning environment. Students will receive individualized instruction while developing academic, communication, social-emotional, independent living, vocational, and community participation skills.

Opening this center allows Rock Ridge students to receive high-quality special education services within their own school district and closer to their families and community. We look forward to building strong partnerships with parents, local organizations, businesses, and community members to create meaningful opportunities for every student.

Please join us for an Open House and ribbon-cutting ceremony!

Thursday, August 27, 2026
4:30–6:30 p.m.
Rock Ridge Life & Learning Center
1404 Progress Parkway, Eveleth, Minnesota 55734

Please stop by to tour the new center and celebrate this exciting milestone with us. Beverages and cookies will be provided, and each guest will receive a complimentary gift.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Life & Learning Center possible. Your continued encouragement and support demonstrate Rock Ridge’s commitment to ensuring that every student is welcomed, valued, and given the opportunity to succeed.

We are proud to welcome our students and staff to the Rock Ridge Life & Learning Center and look forward to a wonderful school year!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Aagenes
Special Education Director
Rock Ridge Public Schools

About Rock Ridge Special Education

Rock Ridge Public Schools is committed to supporting all students. Our staff will help identify, locate, and evaluate students with suspected special education needs from birth to age 22. Eligible students with disabilities will be provided with a free and appropriate public education consistent with the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Special education programming is provided for students with the following disabilities:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Deaf-Blind
• Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Developmental Cognitive Disability
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
• Other Health Disabilities
• Physically Impaired
• Severely Multiply Impaired
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairments
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visually Impaired

Once students are evaluated, services at Rock Ridge include a variety of service delivery models, ranging from full inclusion to support to fully self-contained programming at all levels (early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, and ages 18-22).