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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Minnesota Alternative Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 253 alternative public middle schools serving 7,930 students in Minnesota.
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in Minnesota are Swmetro Prairie Care, Willows and Waseca Middle Level Alc. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Minnesota alternative public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 23% (versus the Minnesota public middle school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public middle school average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Middle 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: #33.
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: #4 - 114. - 11.
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: #4 - 114. - 11.
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: #4 - 114. - 11.
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: #4 - 114. - 11.
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: #4 - 114. - 11.
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: #4 - 114. - 11.
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: #4 - 114. - 11.
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: #4 - 114. - 11.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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: #12 - 3512. - 35.
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%
Rank: #12 - 3512. - 35.
Pines School - Rjc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
7565 4th Ave
Circle Pines, MN 55014
(763) 792-4011
Gr: 8-12 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #12 - 3512. - 35.
Prairie Lakes Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1808 Civic Center Drive
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-6696
Gr: 4-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #12 - 3512. - 35.
Red Lake Middle Level Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
23990 Hwy 1 E
Redlake, MN 56671
(218) 679-2701
Gr: 6-8 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1
Rank: #12 - 3512. - 35.
River Bend Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1315 S Broadway St
New Ulm, MN 56073
(507) 359-8780
Gr: 7-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #12 - 3512. - 35.
Runestone Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
700 Northside Dr Ne
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-5559
Gr: 7-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #12 - 3512. - 35.
Waseca Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
501 Elm Ave E
Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-5588
Gr: 7-12 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #12 - 3512. - 35.
West Central Academy-s
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
729 11th St N
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 284-3316
Gr: 4-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #12 - 3512. - 35.
West Central Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
9 2nd St Sw
Melrose, MN 56352
(320) 256-7836
Gr: 6-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #12 - 3512. - 35.
Wings Alternative Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1326 E Ripley St
Litchfield, MN 55355
(320) 543-1122
Gr: 7-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in Minnesota (out of 253 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public middle schools in Minnesota?
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in Minnesota include Swmetro Prairie Care, Willows and Waseca Middle Level Alc.
How many alternative public middle schools are located in Minnesota?
253 alternative public middle schools are located in Minnesota.
What is the racial composition of students in Minnesota?
Minnesota alternative public middle schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public middle schools average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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