Simley High School is a public high school in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, United States. The school opened in 1960 with a graduating class of 19 students. The school, in 2022, has approximately 1,200 students enrolled in grades 9–12. Gerald Sakala is the principal.
Simley Alternative Program serves 25 students in grades 9-12.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is <50% (which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 45%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 50-59% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 74%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is equal to the Minnesota state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Alternative school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 25 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 68%
- Graduation Rate: ≥80% (Top 50% in MN)
- Math Proficiency: <50% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 50-59%
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Simley Alternative Program ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Community Size
School Overview
Simley Alternative Program's student population of 25 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 2 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
25 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
2 teachers
Year Founded
1960
Colors
White, Scarlet, Columbia blue
School Rankings
The diversity score of Simley Alternative Program is 0.71, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(10-11)50-59%
74%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
2%
Asian
8%
7%
Hispanic
40%
12%
Black
16%
12%
White
32%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥80%
84%
Eligible for Free Lunch
68%
36%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
20%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
<50% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 45% MN state average), while 50-59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 74% MN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Simley Alternative Program?
The graduation rate of Simley Alternative Program is 80%, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 84%.
How many students attend Simley Alternative Program?
25 students attend Simley Alternative Program.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
40% of Simley Alternative Program students are Hispanic, 32% of students are White, 16% of students are Black, 8% of students are Asian, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Simley Alternative Program?
Simley Alternative Program has a student ration of 13:1, which is equal to the Minnesota state average of 13:1.
What grades does Simley Alternative Program offer ?
Simley Alternative Program offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Simley Alternative Program part of?
Simley Alternative Program is part of Inver Grove Heights Schools School District.
School Reviews
Review Simley Alternative Program. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.