We, the undersigned, urge and fully support the Rochester City School District Board of Education and Superintendent to take immediate action to restore Rochester International Academy (RIA) to a K-12, 2-year transitional program to begin in September of the 2022-23 School Year.

RIA’s facilities on the Jefferson Campus are already appropriate to accommodate a return to a K-12 population. RIA’s programming over 11 years has been honored nationally and internationally, including recognition from the United Nations. 

Now is the most appropriate and necessary time to keep newcomer/refugee families together in the same school with a proven, successful program and resources that provide them with supports that help students and families resettling in their new community, Rochester.