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
Enrollment
73
Student-Teacher
36.5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
5th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Smec Alc — Students at Smec Alc score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2021) to 75% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (507) 438-5397
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SOUTHERN MN EDUCATION CONSORTIUM- District Enrollment
- 179
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $45,185
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
Other Schools in This District
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.
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