Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Minnesota Alternative Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 165 alternative public elementary schools serving 5,311 students in Minnesota.
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Minnesota are Swmetro Prairie Care, Willows and Bemidji Area Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Minnesota alternative public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Minnesota public elementary school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public elementary school average of 41% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Alternative Public Elementary 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 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #3 - 103. - 10.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #11 - 2211. - 22.
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: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Hoffman Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2001 Sheppard Dr
Saint Peter, MN 56082
(507) 934-9820
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Prairie Care Mankato
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
120 E Main St
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 387-1818
Gr: K-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
School #527
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1001 Highway 7
Hopkins, MN 55305
(763) 205-7612
Gr: 6-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #26 - 2926. - 29.
Cornerstone
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 Roberts Rd Sw
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 234-2618
Gr: K-12 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #26 - 2926. - 29.
Nets
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3490 Lexington Ave N Ste 115
Saint Paul, MN 55126
(651) 486-3808
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #26 - 2926. - 29.
Pathways Program Grades 6-7
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
820 Minnesota St E
Red Wing, MN 55066
(651) 388-4441
Gr: 6-7 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #26 - 2926. - 29.
Riverside Academy Mlp
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1700 305th Ave Ne
Isanti, MN 55040
(763) 552-6262
Gr: 6-8 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Mora Middle Level Alc
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
118 9th St
Mora, MN 55051
(320) 679-6200
Gr: 6-8 | 12 students Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Rockridge Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4849 Ivanhoe St
Duluth, MN 55804
(218) 336-8955
Gr: K-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #3232.
The Anicca Program
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2200 Lyman Blvd
Chanhassen, MN 55317
(952) 361-6175
Gr: K-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #3333.
School #530
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5500 94th Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55443
(763) 205-7612
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #34 - 4034. - 40.
Albert Lea Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
211 W Richway Dr
Albert Lea, MN 56007
(507) 379-4800
Gr: 6-12 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #34 - 4034. - 40.
Mahnomen Area Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
209 1st St Sw
Mahnomen, MN 56557
(218) 935-2346
Gr: 6-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 43:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Show 100 more Alternative public schools in Minnesota (out of 165 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Minnesota?
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Minnesota include Swmetro Prairie Care, Willows and Bemidji Area Learning Center.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in Minnesota?
165 alternative public elementary schools are located in Minnesota.
What is the racial composition of students in Minnesota?
Minnesota alternative public elementary schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Minnesota public elementary schools average of 41% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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