Information Center

5RiversOnline is a comprehensive K-12 school open to all learners residing in Minnesota. There is no cost to attend 5RiversOnline if you live in Minnesota. Students enroll in 5RiversOnline as full-time learners.

Click the "Enroll" button on this website to begin the enrollment process and our friendly staff will contact you to complete the process.

No. Families across Minnesota may enroll in 5RiversOnline at any time.

5RiversOnline is open to all residents across Minnesota, free of charge. There is no tuition for these learners.

Both. Teachers will have live sessions regularly with learners. Learners in grades K-6 will be live with their teacher each day. As learners move through grades 7-12, their independent learning increases. Teachers maintain regular meetings with secondary learners. Parents/guardians have bi-monthly meetings with a teacher through grade 8 and monthly meetings in high school.

5RiversOnline learners use Google Classroom to access their courses. Learner grades and other information for parents/guardians are posted in Infinite Campus.

5RiversOnline provides devices to learners that have the software and support to start learning online with us.

Learners in grades K-12 will use a Chromebook. Devices will be provided to learners enrolled in 5RiversOnline. Information about how you will receive your device will be provided upon completion of registration and selection of courses (for secondary learners).

5RiversOnline has dedicated support personnel from our Technology Department. Find answers to common support questions at our technology support page (use URL below). https://sites.google.com/rwps.org/techhelpcenter

This will vary greatly due because education is unique to each individual learner. In general, there is one to two hours of work per day for elementary learners and there are three to five hours of work per day for secondary learners. These estimates may vary due to projects assigned in the course of the semester.

5RiversOnline is staffed by experienced teachers who have been hired and trained by our districts. We maintain high expectations for our teachers. They are knowledgeable and skilled at teaching learners in person and in online classrooms.

Yes! Ask us about the 5RiversOnline course catalogue.

For some classes, everything is available from the first day of class. This will depend on the grade level and course.

5RiversOnline will help provide supplies with an interactive lab for learners.

5RiversOnline is a collaborative partnership with six districts - Cannon Falls, Goodhue, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Lake City, Red Wing and Zumbrota Mazeppa. We have a 95 percent plus graduation rate and our learners' academic achievement routinely exceeds state averages. Each of our districts provide excellent education and we are bringing that excellence to any of their learners who want an online experience. At the elementary level, we provide more live time with a teacher than other online programs. Teachers launch lessons live with learners beginning with a morning meeting, have daily check-ins, and meet with learners throughout the school day. Specialist teachers provide direct instruction in physical education, music and art. Our secondary teachers are deep content experts, hired and trained by our schools, who use their expertise to enhance the online curriculum. They are skilled at building relationships with learners and ensure that parents/guardians are involved to support their child's learning. At all levels, we provide support services including social workers, psychologists, English language learning, special education, and other services traditionally available at physical school buildings.

5RiversOnline students are considered part of their resident district. You may participate in school activities, including athletics in your resident district.

What is unique about 5RiversOnline is the additional synchronous support that teachers provide, both in the form of “live” lesson launches each day and the frequent virtual conferences that are held between teachers, students and families. 5RiversOnline uses proven instructional strategies and an established online curriculum.