For the 2025 school year, there are 150 alternative public elementary schools serving 4,594 students in Minnesota.
The top ranked alternative public elementary schools in Minnesota are Swmetro Prairie Care, Willows and Bemidji Area Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Minnesota alternative public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Elementary 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 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #11 - 2111. - 21.
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: #11 - 2111. - 21.
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: #11 - 2111. - 21.
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: #11 - 2111. - 21.
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: #11 - 2111. - 21.
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: #11 - 2111. - 21.
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: #11 - 2111. - 21.
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: #11 - 2111. - 21.
Prairie Lakes Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1804 Civic Center Dr
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Grades: 4-12
| 26 students
Rank: #11 - 2111. - 21.
Red Lake Middle Level Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
23990 Hwy 1 E
Redlake, MN 56671
(218) 679-2701
Redlake, MN 56671
(218) 679-2701
Grades: 6-8
| 7 students
Rank: #11 - 2111. - 21.
West Central Academy-s
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
729 11th St N
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 284-3316
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 284-3316
Grades: 4-12
| 47 students
Rank: #11 - 2111. - 21.
West Central Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-7836
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-7836
Grades: 6-12
| 29 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Hoffman Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2001 Sheppard Dr
Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 934-9820
Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 934-9820
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Prairie Care Mankato
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
120 E Main St
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-1818
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-1818
Grades: K-12
| 17 students
Rank: #24 - 2924. - 29.
Cornerstone
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1200 Roberts Rd Sw
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 587-2860
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 587-2860
Grades: K-12
| 11 students
Rank: #24 - 2924. - 29.
Epsilon
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
14300 Cty Rd 62
Minnetonka, MN 55345
(763) 205-7612
Minnetonka, MN 55345
(763) 205-7612
Grades: 6-12
| 2 students
Rank: #24 - 2924. - 29.
Nets
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3490 Lexington Ave N Ste 115
Saint Paul, MN 55126
(651) 486-3808
Saint Paul, MN 55126
(651) 486-3808
Grades: 5-12
| 9 students
Rank: #24 - 2924. - 29.
Pathways Program Grades 6-7
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
820 Minnesota St E
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 388-4441
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 388-4441
Grades: 6-7
| 14 students
Rank: #24 - 2924. - 29.
Pinnacle Programs Southwestern Yout
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 W Luverne St
Magnolia, MN 56158
(507) 283-4425
Magnolia, MN 56158
(507) 283-4425
Grades: 6-12
| 8 students
Rank: #24 - 2924. - 29.
Riverside Academy Mlp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1700 305th Ave Ne
Isanti, MN 55040
(763) 552-6262
Isanti, MN 55040
(763) 552-6262
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Rank: #3030.
Mps Metro C
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3012 West 44th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-5470
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 668-5470
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Mora Middle Level Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
118 9th St
Mora, MN 55051
(320) 679-6200
Mora, MN 55051
(320) 679-6200
Grades: 6-8
| 2 students
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Rockridge Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4849 Ivanhoe St
Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 336-8955
Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 336-8955
Grades: K-12
| 45 students
Rank: #3333.
The Anicca Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2200 Lyman Blvd.
Chanhassen, MN 55317
(952) 361-6175
Chanhassen, MN 55317
(952) 361-6175
Grades: K-12
| 5 students
Rank: #3434.
School #530
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5500 94th Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55443
(763) 205-7612
Minneapolis, MN 55443
(763) 205-7612
Grades: K-12
| 15 students
Rank: #35 - 4135. - 41.
Albert Lea Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2200 Riverland Drive
Albert Lea, MN 56007
(507) 369-1453
Albert Lea, MN 56007
(507) 369-1453
Grades: 6-12
| 124 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in Minnesota (out of 150 total schools)
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public elementary schools in Minnesota?
The top ranked alternative public elementary schools in Minnesota include Swmetro Prairie Care, Willows and Bemidji Area Learning Center.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in Minnesota?
150 alternative public elementary schools are located in Minnesota.
What is the racial composition of students in Minnesota?
Minnesota alternative public elementary schools minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public elementary schools average of 40% (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.
