Special Program Schools

About 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.

Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA)
Grades 6 - 12

Maria Montessori at Marsh 
Grades PreK (4 year olds) - 8

Gifted Academy
Grades 1 - 12

STEAM Academy at Haskell
Grades K - 5

International Baccalaureate
Grades K - 6

Two-Way Language Immersion at Barbour
Grades K - 8

Special Program Lottery Schools

Watch this video to learn more about the Special Program Lottery Schools and the lottery application process.

Explore RPS 205 Special Program Schools

capa logo

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. Yearly auditions are held for current students grades 5-11 who live within RPS 205 boundaries.

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

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.

conklin elementary

International Baccalaureate Program

Rockford Public Schools has launch an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate School at Conklin Elementary School (K-5) in Fall 2023. The following school year of 2024-2025 will have up to 6th grade.

Learn about the IB program and how to join the family.

montessori mustangs logo

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

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 Academy and how to join the family

barbour two language emersion logo

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