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 Integrated Arts Academy, Smec Alc and Swmetro Prairie Care. 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 24% (versus the Minnesota public school average of 45%), 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 - 51. - 5.
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: #1 - 51. - 5.
Smec Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
21697 State Highway 56
Austin, MN 55912
(507) 438-5397
Austin, MN 55912
(507) 438-5397
Grades: 5-12
| 73 students
Rank: #1 - 51. - 5.
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 - 51. - 5.
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: #1 - 51. - 5.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
Faribault Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2855 1st Ave Nw
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6187
Faribault, MN 55021
(507) 333-6187
Grades: 9-12
| 99 students
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
Itaskin Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1880 River Rd
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 322-4129
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 322-4129
Grades: 4-12
| 36 students
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
Mcf-red Wing Maginnis High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1079 Highway 292
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 267-3638
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 267-3638
Grades: 8-12
| 57 students
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
Moorhead Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2777 34th St S
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 284-2230
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 284-2230
Grades: 5-12
| 141 students
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
Norse Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
38423 Lincoln Trail
North Branch, MN 55056
(651) 674-1406
North Branch, MN 55056
(651) 674-1406
Grades: 7-12
| 52 students
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
Pines School - Rjc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7565 4th Ave
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Grades: 7-12
| 29 students
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
Prior Lake-savage Area Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15870 Fish Point Rd Se
Prior Lake, MN 55372
(952) 226-0843
Prior Lake, MN 55372
(952) 226-0843
Grades: 9-12
| 93 students
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
River Bend Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1315 S Broadway
New Ulm, MN 56073
(507) 359-8780
New Ulm, MN 56073
(507) 359-8780
Grades: 7-12
| 60 students
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
Runestone Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
700 Northside Dr Ne
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-5559
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-5559
Grades: 7-12
| 49 students
Rank: #6 - 426. - 42.
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: #6 - 426. - 42.
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
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in Minnesota (out of 485 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public schools in Minnesota?
The top ranked alternative public schools in Minnesota include Integrated Arts Academy, Smec Alc and Swmetro Prairie Care.
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).
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