Alternative School

Alternative School in Mason City, Iowa, is a unique educational option for students in grades 9 through 12. With an enrollment of just 92 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The faculty includes five full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to supporting their students' diverse needs.

While Alternative School has room for academic growth according to its MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and state ranking at #1129 out of 1288 schools, it shines in science with 82% proficiency among students. In contrast, ELA/Reading proficiency is at 54%, and Math proficiency stands at 28%. The school focuses on student development beyond traditional academic metrics.

Located in a remote area of Mason City, Alternative School serves as an important community resource for local families seeking alternative educational pathways. Its setting offers a quieter environment conducive to focused learning and individualized support.

With an enrollment of 92 students, Alternative School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Alternative School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.