For the 2024 school year, there are 483 alternative public schools serving 14,224 students in Minnesota.
The top ranked alternative public schools in Minnesota are Knights Academy, Alc Senior High School and Bemidji Senior Lumberjack Alc. 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 45%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 53% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public school average of 37% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Schools in Minnesota (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Knights Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
60 Central Ave W
Saint Michael, MN 55376
(763) 497-6575
Saint Michael, MN 55376
(763) 497-6575
Grades: 10-12
| 49 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Alc Senior High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7300 Boone Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55428
(763) 391-8890
Minneapolis, MN 55428
(763) 391-8890
Grades: 9-12
| 110 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Bemidji Senior Lumberjack Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2900 Division St W
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 444-1600
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 444-1600
Grades: 9-12
| 118 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Cass Lake-bena Area Lrng. Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
208 Central Ave Nw
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2204
Cass Lake, MN 56633
(218) 335-2204
Grades: 7-12
| 98 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Centennial Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4881 101st Ln Ne
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 398-2960
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 398-2960
Grades: 7-12
| 75 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Compass-bell Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1374 Northdale Blvd
Minneapolis, MN 55448
(763) 506-3202
Minneapolis, MN 55448
(763) 506-3202
Grades: 6-12
| 17 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Crossroads Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6016
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6016
Grades: 7-12
| 61 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Crow River Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1200 Roberts Rd
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 587-2151
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 587-2151
Grades: 9-12
| 13 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Detroit Lakes Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
900 Hwy 34 E
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
(218) 844-5687
Grades: 9-12
| 55 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Heartland Girls Ranch
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1400 Montana Ave
Benson, MN 56215
(320) 843-2710
Benson, MN 56215
(320) 843-2710
Grades: 7-12
| 27 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Hlww Alternative Learning Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
720 9th Ave
Howard Lake, MN 55349
(320) 543-1122
Howard Lake, MN 55349
(320) 543-1122
Grades: 9-12
| 31 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
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: #2 - 342. - 34.
Isd 181 Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
311 10th Ave Ne
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Brainerd, MN 56401
(218) 454-5400
Grades: 8-12
| 158 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Ivan Sand Community High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1232 School St
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 241-3530
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 241-3530
Grades: 9-12
| 92 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Lake Park School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1804 Civic Center Dr Ne
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Grades: 4-12
| 20 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Northland Learning Center 010
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1201 S 13th Ave
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 741-9201
Virginia, MN 55792
(218) 741-9201
Grades: 7-12
| 54 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Pine River-backus Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 1st St N
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Pine River, MN 56474
(218) 587-3131
Grades: 9-12
| 45 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Pines School - Nsp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7555 4th Avenue
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Grades: 7-12
| 22 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Pines School - Rjc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7555 4th Ave
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Grades: 7-12
| 25 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Pines School Day Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7555 4th Ave
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Grades: 8-12
| 12 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
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
| 15 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Prairie Lakes Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1804 Civic Center Dr
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Grades: 4-12
| 30 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Red Lake Middle Level Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
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: #2 - 342. - 34.
S St. Paul Community Lrng. Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
710 - 19th Avenue North
South Saint Paul, MN 55075
(651) 450-9966
South Saint Paul, MN 55075
(651) 450-9966
Grades: 7-12
| 115 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
School #527
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1001 Highway 7
Hopkins, MN 55305
(763) 205-7612
Hopkins, MN 55305
(763) 205-7612
Grades: 7-12
| 24 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Smec Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
21697 State Highway 56
Austin, MN 55912
(507) 438-5397
Austin, MN 55912
(507) 438-5397
Grades: 5-12
| 46 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1200 North Park Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-1472
Grades: 8-12
| 57 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Swmetro Lakeside Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Garrison Ave Ne
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Grades: 7-12
| 18 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Swmetro Prairie Care
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
111 Hundertmark Rd #205n
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Grades: K-12
| 14 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Waconia Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1800 Community Dr
Waconia, MN 55387
(952) 442-0690
Waconia, MN 55387
(952) 442-0690
Grades: 9-12
| 50 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Waseca Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
501 Elm Ave E
Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-5588
Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-5588
Grades: 7-12
| 75 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
West Central Academy-s
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
729 11th St N
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 979-3266
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 979-3266
Grades: 4-12
| 27 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
White Bear Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2449 Orchard Ln
Saint Paul, MN 55110
(651) 773-6400
Saint Paul, MN 55110
(651) 773-6400
Grades: 10-12
| 129 students
Rank: #2 - 342. - 34.
Willows
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
10300 Flanders St Ne
Minneapolis, MN 55432
(651) 415-5359
Minneapolis, MN 55432
(651) 415-5359
Grades: 7-12
| 16 students
Rank: #35 - 3835. - 38.
Options
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2675 Long Lake Road
Saint Paul, MN 55113
(952) 564-3000
Saint Paul, MN 55113
(952) 564-3000
Grades: 6-12
| 13 students
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in Minnesota (out of 483 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 Knights Academy, Alc Senior High School and Bemidji Senior Lumberjack Alc.
How many alternative public schools are located in Minnesota?
483 alternative public schools are located in Minnesota.
What is the racial composition of students in Minnesota?
Minnesota alternative public schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public schools average of 37% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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