For the 2025 school year, there are 485 alternative public schools serving 13,297 students in Minnesota.
The top ranked alternative public schools in Minnesota are Swmetro Prairie Care, Willows and Integrated Arts Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Minnesota alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Schools in Minnesota (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Swmetro Prairie Care
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
111 Hundertmark Rd #205n
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Grades: K-12
| 9 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Willows
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10300 Flanders St Ne
Minneapolis, MN 55432
(651) 415-5364
Minneapolis, MN 55432
(651) 415-5364
Grades: 6-12
| 11 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Integrated Arts Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
11 Peavey Rd
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 556-6200
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 556-6200
Grades: 9-12
| 63 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Waseca Middle Level Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1717 2nd St. Nw
Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-5588
Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-5588
Grades: 7-8
| 3 students
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Bemidji Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2900 Division St W
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3299
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3299
Grades: 5-12
| 54 students
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Central Middle School Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 Fulton Street
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-3047
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-3047
Grades: 6-8
| 2 students
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Columbia Academy Anchor Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
900 49th Ave Ne
Minneapolis, MN 55421
(763) 528-4540
Minneapolis, MN 55421
(763) 528-4540
Grades: 6-8
| 4 students
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Middle School Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
209 Willmar Ave Se
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6692
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6692
Grades: 6-8
| 28 students
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
School #532
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4510 West 77th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55435
(763) 205-7612
Minneapolis, MN 55435
(763) 205-7612
Grades: K-12
| 20 students
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Sholund School For Girls
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
370 Annandale Boulevard
Annandale, MN 55302
(320) 543-1122
Annandale, MN 55302
(320) 543-1122
Grades: 5-12
| 12 students
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Swmetro Reflections
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4601 Dean Lakes Blvd
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Grades: 6-12
| 20 students
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Winona Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1299 West 3rd St
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 494-1461
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 494-1461
Grades: 5-12
| 83 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
A. G. A. P. E. Teen Parent
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1037 University Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 744-7970
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 744-7970
Grades: 5-12
| 37 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Arrowhead Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1918 Arlington Ave N
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 625-6766
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 625-6766
Grades: 4-12
| 15 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Benson Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1400 Montana Ave
Benson, MN 56215
(320) 843-2710
Benson, MN 56215
(320) 843-2710
Grades: 7-12
| 14 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Centennial Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4881 101st Ln Ne
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 398-2960
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 398-2960
Grades: 7-12
| 84 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Center School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2421 Bloomington Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 721-1655
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 721-1655
Grades: 7-12
| 33 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Central High Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
110 Fulton St
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-3047
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-3047
Grades: 9-12
| 99 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Compass Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1234 Columbus Ave
New Prague, MN 56071
(952) 758-1700
New Prague, MN 56071
(952) 758-1700
Grades: 6-12
| 49 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Crossroads Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6016
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6016
Grades: 7-12
| 38 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Crossroads School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
22426 St. Francis Blvd Nw
Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 753-7023
Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 753-7023
Grades: K-12
| 11 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Crow River Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1200 Roberts Rd Sw
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 587-2151
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 587-2151
Grades: 9-12
| 26 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Hastings Alternative Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
200 General Sieben Dr
Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 480-7690
Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 480-7690
Grades: 9-12
| 34 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Heartland Girls Ranch
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1400 Montana Ave
Benson, MN 56215
(320) 843-2710
Benson, MN 56215
(320) 843-2710
Grades: 7-12
| 21 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Hlww Alternative Learning Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
720 9th Ave
Howard Lake, MN 55349
(320) 543-1122
Howard Lake, MN 55349
(320) 543-1122
Grades: 9-12
| 16 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Ivan Sand Middle School Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1232 School St. Nw
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 241-3530
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 241-3530
Grades: 6-8
| 1 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Lake Park School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1804 Civic Center Dr Ne
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Grades: 4-12
| 17 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Luverne Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
709 N Kniss
Luverne, MN 56156
(507) 283-4491
Luverne, MN 56156
(507) 283-4491
Grades: 10-12
| 4 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Mesabi Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
800 E 21st St
Hibbing, MN 55746
(218) 208-0841
Hibbing, MN 55746
(218) 208-0841
Grades: 9-12
| 27 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Mora Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
118 9th St
Mora, MN 55051
(320) 679-6200
Mora, MN 55051
(320) 679-6200
Grades: 9-12
| 55 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Oshawa Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1717 Sheppard Dr
Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 934-9820
Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 934-9820
Grades: 4-12
| 21 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Owatonna Alc 9-12
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8000
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8000
Grades: 9-12
| 90 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Pathways Program Grades 8-12
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
395 Guernsey Ln
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 388-4441
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 388-4441
Grades: 8-12
| 31 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Perham Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
800 Coney Street West
Perham, MN 56573
(218) 346-6502
Perham, MN 56573
(218) 346-6502
Grades: 9-12
| 48 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Pines School - Nsp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7555 4th Ave
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Grades: 7-12
| 22 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in Minnesota (out of 485 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public schools in Minnesota?
The top ranked alternative public schools in Minnesota include Swmetro Prairie Care, Willows and Integrated Arts Academy.
How many alternative public schools are located in Minnesota?
485 alternative public schools are located in Minnesota.
What is the racial composition of students in Minnesota?
Minnesota alternative public schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
