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Very Good

#614 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 31% in state

Smec Alc

High School · SOUTHERN MN EDUCATION CONSORTIUM

21697 STATE HIGHWAY 56, Austin, MN 55912

Enrollment

73

Student-Teacher

36.5:1

Score

7.1

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Austin

#1 of 13

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#129 of 628

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Smec Alc

SMEC ALC in Austin, Minnesota, is an alternative school serving students from fifth grade through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 73 students and a student-teacher ratio of 36.5:1, SMEC ALC offers personalized support to its diverse group of learners. The school’s academic performance places it at the 70th percentile among Minnesota schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10, indicating there is room for growth in certain areas.

In reading and ELA, about half of the students are proficient or above, while proficiency rates in math stand at 25%. Located in a rural setting on State Highway 56, SMEC ALC benefits from a close-knit community environment that fosters individualized attention and support for each student's unique needs.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 73 students, Smec Alc 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Smec Alc is 36.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Smec Alc may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+25.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio36.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$41,531

Smec Alc — Students at Smec Alc score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
75%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.

How Smec Alc Compares

See how Smec Alc performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in MN
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
37:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

21697 STATE HIGHWAY 56, Austin, MN 55912

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smec Alc may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lyle High School (rated 6.4/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Lyle), with a comparable rating. Another option is AUSTIN SENIOR HIGH (rated 5.3/10, 5.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, AUSTIN AREA LEARNING CENTER (rated 5.0/10, 5.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Austin, see our Austin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.4 mi
School Distance Rating
RESET Austin 0.0 mi
NEW DOMINION ACADEMY Austin 3.1 mi
NEW DOMINION SCHOOL Austin 3.1 mi 8.6
NEVELN ELEMENTARY Austin 3.7 mi 5.3
I.J. HOLTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Austin 3.9 mi 6.6
ELLIS MIDDLE Austin 4.0 mi 4.7
WOODSON KINDERGARTEN CENTER Austin 5.0 mi 5.1
AUSTIN COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER Austin 5.4 mi 6.8
AUSTIN SENIOR HIGH Austin 5.4 mi 5.3
AUSTIN AREA LEARNING CENTER Austin 5.4 mi 5.0
Austin Online Academy Austin 5.4 mi 4.3
PACELLI CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Austin 5.4 mi 6.9
SUMNER ELEMENTARY Austin 5.7 mi 7.0
SOUTHGATE ELEMENTARY Austin 6.3 mi 5.9
BANFIELD ELEMENTARY Austin 6.3 mi 6.5
Oakland Education Center Austin 6.5 mi 6.6
LYLE ELEMENTARY Lyle 11.7 mi 6.5
Lyle High School Lyle 11.7 mi 6.4
Lyle Middle Lyle 11.7 mi 4.2
SOUTHLAND SENIOR HIGH Adams 10.4 mi 2.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55912 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,205

Median Home Value

$161,800

Median Rent

$864/mo

Population

29,438

College Educated

23.7%

Homeownership

72.2%

Avg Commute

18 min

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

37.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smec Alc has a median household income of $68,205. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,800, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ABE Diploma Program Apple Valley, MN 7.1
BRIDGES Andover, MN 7.1
Career and Life Transition Program Roseville, MN 7.1
FISHER SECONDARY Fisher, MN 7.1
JOURNEYS SECONDARY SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN 7.1
MCF-Red Wing Maginnis High School Red Wing, MN 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smec Alc

What grades does Smec Alc serve?

Smec Alc serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Smec Alc?

Smec Alc has an enrollment of approximately 73 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smec Alc?

The student-teacher ratio at Smec Alc is 36.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smec Alc rank in MN?

Smec Alc is ranked #614 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Smec Alc's MySchoolScout rating?

Smec Alc has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Smec Alc?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smec Alc has 25.0% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Smec Alc a charter school?

No, Smec Alc is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smec Alc a Title I school?

No, Smec Alc is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smec Alc?

78.1% of students at Smec Alc qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,804/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Austin). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
73
Student-Teacher Ratio
36.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.1%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Mower County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTHERN MN EDUCATION CONSORTIUM
District Enrollment
179
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$45,185
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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