Average
#705 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 35% in state
South Education Center Academy
High School · Intermediate School District 287
7450 PENN AVE S, Richfield, MN 55423
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
8.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
8.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
5th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Richfield
#8 of 16
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#161 of 628
In district
#4 of 7
Intermediate School District 287
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About South Education Center Academy
South Education Center Academy serves 52 students in grades 5 through 12 as an alternative high school in Richfield, Minnesota. This specialized educational environment maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.7:1 with 6 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly individualized attention and support. The school has earned recognition for its effectiveness, receiving a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #326 out of 2027 Minnesota schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide.
This strong performance demonstrates the school's success in serving students who may benefit from an alternative educational approach. As an alternative school, South Education Center Academy likely provides flexible programming and personalized learning opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of its student population. The small enrollment creates an intimate learning community where students can receive focused support from dedicated educators.
The school is situated in the 55423 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $80,744 and median home values of $293,800. The community shows strong educational values, with 44% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and maintaining a low poverty rate of 7.2%. South Education Center Academy operates within this stable suburban community of nearly 37,000 residents, providing specialized educational services in Hennepin County's well-established Richfield area.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 52 students, South Education Center Academy 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.7:1, South Education Center Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
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South Education Center Academy — Students at South Education Center Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2018-19)
Based on 1 test record from MN state assessments. About our data
How South Education Center Academy Compares
See how South Education Center Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
7450 PENN AVE S, Richfield, MN 55423
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Education Center Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. RICHFIELD SENIOR HIGH (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is BLOOMINGTON TRANSITION CENTER (rated 7.3/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Bloomington), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ACADEMY OF HOLY ANGELS (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Richfield, see our Richfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SECONDARY SPECIAL EDUCATION Richfield | 0.0 mi | — |
| BLESSED TRINITY-PENN CAMPUS Richfield | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| RICHFIELD MIDDLE Richfield | 0.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Seven Hills - Richfield Middle Richfield | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Seven Hills - Richfield Elementary Richfield | 0.7 mi | 8.9 |
| WASHBURN ELEMENTARY Bloomington | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| New Code Academy Elementary Bloomington | 1.2 mi | 8.0 |
| SHERIDAN HILLS ELEMENTARY Richfield | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| STEP BY STEP MONTESSORI SCHOOL Edina | 1.3 mi | — |
| BLOOMINGTON TRANSITION CENTER Bloomington | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Choice Academy Bloomington | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| CENTRAL EDUCATION CENTER Richfield | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Central Education Center PreK Richfield | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| School #532 Edina | 1.3 mi | — |
| RICHFIELD SENIOR HIGH Richfield | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| CORNELIA ELEMENTARY Edina | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| SciTech Academy Charter School Richfield | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Anthony Middle Minneapolis | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| ARMATAGE ELEMENTARY Minneapolis | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| ACADEMY OF HOLY ANGELS Richfield | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55423 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,102
Median Home Value
$320,300
Median Rent
$1,334/mo
Population
36,779
College Educated
44.3%
Homeownership
62.5%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Education Center Academy has a median household income of $84,102. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $320,300, with a median rent of $1,334/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| GRYGLA SECONDARY Grygla, MN | 6.9 |
| KOKESH AREA LEARNING CENTER Onamia, MN | 6.9 |
| Online728 High School Elk River, MN | 6.9 |
| Waseca Area Learning Center Waseca, MN | 6.9 |
| CVSEC STEP Faribault, MN | 7.0 |
| Minneapolis Academy & Career Center Minneapolis, MN | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Education Center Academy
What grades does South Education Center Academy serve?
South Education Center Academy serves students in grades 5th through 12th.
How many students attend South Education Center Academy?
South Education Center Academy has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Education Center Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at South Education Center Academy is 8.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Education Center Academy rank in MN?
South Education Center Academy is ranked #705 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is South Education Center Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
South Education Center Academy has a composite rating of 6.9 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 South Education Center Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Education Center Academy has 25.0% math proficiency.
Is South Education Center Academy a charter school?
No, South Education Center Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Education Center Academy a Title I school?
No, South Education Center Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Education Center Academy?
75.0% of students at South Education Center Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 37 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 49 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 76 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,734/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Richfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 52
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Hennepin County
- Phone
- (612) 355-5910
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Intermediate School District 287- District Enrollment
- 858
- Schools in District
- 50
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $100,174
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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