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Janesville School District Superintendent Mark Holzman called the ranking “a tremendous validation of our innovative, collaborative model.”

“It is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when a public school district, a charter high school, and a technical college commit to a shared vision for student success,” Holzman said.

Rock University High School Principal Patty Hernandez expressed excitement and humility about the ranking, which placed the school in the top 5% of the 464 public high schools evaluated statewide.

“We are incredibly proud to be in the top 20, which reflects the hard work and commitment of our entire school,” Hernandez said, adding that”the high rankings reflect the partnership between RUHS, School District of Janesville, and Blackhawk plus the continued support from our families and our governance board.”

Hernandez, who is in her second year as principal, particularly attributed the achievement to the dedication of the school’s team and the resilience of its students.

“My team here is always thinking outside the box. We move quickly, swiftly, but we move as a team,” Hernandez said. The ranking was a “testament to the work that they’ve put in with these kids,” she said, called the recognition “the cherry on top.”

Hernandez also praised the students, noting that the school has a diverse population, including students with low and high GPAs. However, she said, all share a common goal.

“All of my students want something better for their life, and they have seen that education is the way out,” she said.

The rankings are based on six measures, with the largest weight (30%) given to college readiness. Other factors include performance on state assessments, college curriculum breadth, underserved student performance, and graduation rates.

“To be included with schools that are high-performing, it was just overwhelming because we do think we do a great job out here, and we do think we are that hidden gem,” Hernandez said.

Located on the Blackhawk Technical College campus in Janesville, Rock University High School allows students to simultaneously take both high school and technical college courses, with the cost of technical college tuition and books covered by the School District of Janesville.

Of students enrolled, 100% take Blackhawk courses. The school also has a 100% graduation rate, and since 2023, 11 of its graduates have simultaneously earned a high school diploma and a college degrees.

In the 2025-26 school year, 16 more students are expected to earn Blackhawk Technical College degrees during their senior year of high school.

Rock University High School’s enrollment is capped at 120 students and it currently has 98 students in grades 9-12. The student body is diverse: 26% are minorities and 41% are considered economically disadvantaged.

Students are still able to participate in athletic programs and clubs at Janesville Parker or Janesville Craig high school. School district shuttles transport them between Blackhawk Technical College and those high schools for extracurricular activities, which typically are open to them the first two hours of the school day.

“Your child doesn’t have to leave the orchestra and leave their interest or their passion to attend our school,” Hernandez said.

The school also works with community partners like the Job Center to provide resources, and class supplies such as nursing scrubs and welding helmets, ensuring all students can participate.

Hernandez said the school is “likely the best kept secret in Rock County.” It is still accepting open enrollment applications for the second semester of the 2025-26 school year.