Runestone Alternative School

Runestone Alternative School in Alexandria, Minnesota is a small high school serving students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of just 49 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, the school offers personalized attention that can be hard to find at larger institutions. Four full-time equivalent teachers are dedicated to supporting each student's unique educational journey.

While Runestone Alternative School’s MySchoolScout rating is relatively low at 4.8 out of 10 and its state ranking sits at #1293 among Minnesota schools, it focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that emphasizes personal development over purely academic achievement. Students here tend to score around the 25th percentile in both ELA/reading and math proficiency tests. Located in a remote town setting, Runestone Alternative School provides a close-knit community where every student is known and supported by teachers who are invested in their growth and well-being.

With an enrollment of 49 students, Runestone 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 Runestone 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.