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Best Alternative Public Schools in Minnesota (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Minnesota Alternative Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 520 alternative public schools serving 14,752 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 57% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public school average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Schools in Minnesota (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Swmetro Prairie Care
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
111 Hundertmark Rd #205n
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Gr: K-12
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Willows
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10300 Flanders St Ne
Minneapolis, MN 55432
(651) 415-5678
Gr: 6-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Integrated Arts Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
11 Peavey Rd
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 556-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Waseca Middle Level Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1717 2nd St. Nw
Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-5588
Gr: 7-8 | 5 students Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Bemidji Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2900 Division St W
Bemidji, MN 56601
(218) 333-3299
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Central Middle School Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
110 Fulton Street
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-3047
Gr: 6-8
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Columbia Academy Anchor Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
900 49th Ave Ne
Minneapolis, MN 55421
(763) 528-4540
Gr: 6-8 | 6 students Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Middle School Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
209 Willmar Ave Se
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6692
Gr: 6-8 | 27 students Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
School #532
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4510 West 77th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55435
(763) 205-7612
Gr: K-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Sholund School For Girls
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
370 Annandale Boulevard
Annandale, MN 55302
(320) 543-1122
Gr: 5-12 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Swmetro Reflections
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4601 Dean Lakes Blvd
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 567-8100
Gr: 6-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #5 - 125. - 12.
Winona Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1299 West 3rd St
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 494-1461
Gr: 5-12 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
A. G. A. P. E. Teen Parent
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1037 University Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651) 744-7970
Gr: 5-12 | 26 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Arrowhead Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1918 Arlington Ave N
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 625-6766
Gr: 4-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Benson Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1400 Montana Ave
Benson, MN 56215
(320) 843-2710
Gr: 7-12 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Centennial Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4881 101st Ln Ne
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 398-2960
Gr: 7-12 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Center School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2421 Bloomington Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 721-1655
Gr: 7-12 | 37 students
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Central High Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
110 Fulton St
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-3047
Gr: 9-12 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Compass Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1234 Columbus Ave
New Prague, MN 56071
(952) 758-1700
Gr: 6-12 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Crossroads Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
61085 State Highway 23
Finlayson, MN 55735
(320) 245-6016
Gr: 7-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Crossroads School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
22426 St. Francis Blvd Nw
Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 753-7023
Gr: K-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Crow River Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1200 Roberts Rd Sw
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 587-2151
Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Hastings Alternative Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
200 General Sieben Dr
Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 480-7690
Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Heartland Girls Ranch
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1400 Montana Ave
Benson, MN 56215
(320) 843-2710
Gr: 7-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Hlww Alternative Learning Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8700 County Road 6 Sw, Po Box
Howard Lake, MN 55349
(320) 543-4600
Gr: 9-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Ivan Sand Middle School Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1232 School St Nw
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 241-3530
Gr: 6-8 | 1 student Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Lake Park School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
611 5th St Sw
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Gr: 4-12 | 33 students Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Luverne Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
709 N Kniss Ave
Luverne, MN 56156
(507) 283-4491
Gr: 10-12 | 5 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Mesabi Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
800 E 21st St
Hibbing, MN 55746
(218) 208-0841
Gr: 9-12 | 24 students Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Mora Alternative Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
118 9th St
Mora, MN 55051
(320) 679-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Oshawa Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1717 Sheppard Dr
Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 934-9820
Gr: 4-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Owatonna Alc 9-12
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
338 E Main St
Owatonna, MN 55060
(507) 444-8000
Gr: 9-12 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Pathways Program Grades 8-12
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
395 Guernsey Ln
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 388-4441
Gr: 8-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Perham Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
800 Coney Street West
Perham, MN 56573
(218) 346-6502
Gr: 7-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #13 - 4913. - 49.
Pines School - Nsp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
7555 4th Ave
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Gr: 6-12 | 20 students Minority enrollment: 55%

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?
520 alternative public schools are located in Minnesota.
What is the racial composition of students in Minnesota?
Minnesota alternative public schools minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public schools average of 40% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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