James Monroe High School is a public high school in Rochester, operated by the Rochester City School District.

James Monroe High School, located on Alexander Street at the corner of Pearl Street, was completed and occupied as a Junior high school in September, 1923. In June; 1924, the first Junior high school graduation exercises were held, and because of crowded conditions at East High School, it was decided to retain tenth-year pupils in the school for at least a year. In 1926 it was permanently agreed that the school would be a Junior-senior high school; and the cafeteria was erected on the site of the old No. 15 School adjacent to the playground. The total cost of the school was $1,410,059.88, and of the cafeteria addition, $111,642.40. The building was known as Monroe Junior High School, 1923–1926; as Monroe High School, 1926–1931; as Monroe Junior Senior High School, 1931–1935; as Monroe High School, 1935–1988; Monroe Middle School, 1988–2005; and returned to a Junior-Senior high school in 2006. The building will transition to a high school, grades 9-12, September 2024.

Sing, oh fellow students, praise of dear Monroe,

Praise that shall not falter, but shall ever grow
As those coming pupils in her lobed halls throng
With undying ardor, join us in song.

Let the stirring chorus bring to us the day
When we yet were treading youthful Learning's way.
Let her colors streaming proudly to the sky
Symbolize those standards kept by us as high.

Come, oh fellow classmates, join with us and sing
To our Alma Mater, let her praises ring.
We'll obey her teaching, strive to serve her well.
Hail, our Monroe High School. Hail, and now Farewell!

— Janet L. Wile '27,

• David Diamond, composer
• Malcolm Glazer, investor and football team owner
• Daniel Katzen - 1970
• Mollie Katzen - 1968
• Alan Levin (aka Brother Wease) - 1965
• Arthur Rock, venture capitalist

The stone and brick structure features Greek columns and a pediment on the main facade.

Monroe partners with local colleges and universities to offer learning opportunities.

The Monroe transitional bilingual program is available for Spanish speaking students with limited English proficiency. Extracurricular activities include , sports, and a variety of clubs. Monroe is a community school that offers counseling, health and academic services, in partnership with community agencies.

Monroe SMART (Sports Majors, Athletics, and Regents Track) is a unique pathway to graduation designed to help our students to achieve a NYS Regents Diploma while meeting NCAA Guidelines and qualifying for sports related opportunities beyond the playing field.

Monroe High School offers a full-day program for Spanish speakers who are English Language Learners and Former English Language Learners in Grades 9-12. The program is designed to provide instruction in Spanish and English in the content areas and ESOL services in a pull out and co-teaching model. Students are offered the academic language development experiences needed to develop the necessary English proficiency level required to meet the guidelines for graduation and become bilingual citizens in this global society.

Mechatronics

Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary branch of engineering that focuses on the engineering of both electrical and mechanical systems. Students will study patterns in systems, develop models, and create solutions to real world problems with the use of authentic industrial tools and components.

NY State Seal of Biliteracy

Monroe High School offers opportunities for students to graduate with a Diploma with the Seal of Biliteracy distinction. The NYSSB recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and one or more world languages.  The intent of the NYSSB is to encourage the study of languages, to identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers, to provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission and placement, to prepare students with twenty-first century skills, to recognize the value of language instruction, and to affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.  Successful candidates will earn three points in English and three points in each world language from a points matrix, which includes course grades, national and state exams, transcripts, and culminating projects.  The NYSSB takes the form of a Seal on the student's diploma and a medallion worn at graduation.  

• Writing Club
• Student Government
• Yearbook
• E-Sports Club
• Shine Bright After School Acceleration Program
• Chess Club

• Rochester City School District

• James Monroe High School