Average
#894 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 45% in state
South Washington Alternative HS
High School · South Washington County Schools
8400 E POINT DOUGLAS RD S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cottage Grove
#4 of 12
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#223 of 628
In district
#10 of 26
South Washington County Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About South Washington Alternative HS
South Washington Alternative HS is a high school located in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, serving students from seventh to twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 92 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, the school offers personalized attention and support to its diverse community. The campus is situated in a large suburban area, providing a safe environment for learning.
South Washington Alternative HS focuses on offering alternative education pathways that cater to students who may thrive outside traditional high school settings. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and state ranking at #1085 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota indicate areas for academic growth. In terms of proficiency, only 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 15% achieve the same level in Math.
Despite these challenges, South Washington Alternative HS continues to provide a nurturing and supportive learning environment that encourages student development and success. The school is situated within a vibrant suburban community, offering its students access to local resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 92 students, South Washington Alternative HS 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 South Washington Alternative HS 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.7:1, South Washington Alternative HS 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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South Washington Alternative HS — Students at South Washington Alternative HS score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How South Washington Alternative HS Compares
See how South Washington Alternative HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
8400 E POINT DOUGLAS RD S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Washington Alternative HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EAST RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Woodbury), with a very similar rating. Another option is Park High School (rated 5.7/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Next Step Transition Program (rated 5.1/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cottage Grove, see our Cottage Grove schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 3-5 Early Childhood Special Ed Cottage Grove | 0.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Access Cottage Grove | 0.0 mi | — |
| ARMSTRONG ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| HILLSIDE ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Park High School Cottage Grove | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| CRESTVIEW ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| PINE HILL ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Next Step Transition Program Cottage Grove | 1.6 mi | 5.1 |
| GREY CLOUD ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| COTTAGE GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cottage Grove | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| COTTAGE GROVE ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 2.6 mi | 8.1 |
| PULLMAN ELEMENTARY Saint Paul Park | 2.5 mi | 4.6 |
| OLTMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Cottage Grove | 3.2 mi | 4.4 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Saint Paul Park | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| PINE HARBOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hastings | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion Saint Paul Park | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| EAST RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Woodbury | 4.7 mi | 6.5 |
| GORDON BAILEY ELEMENTARY Woodbury | 5.1 mi | 7.3 |
| ST AMBROSE OF WOODBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Woodbury | 5.1 mi | 5.4 |
| NEWPORT ELEMENTARY Newport | 4.5 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$121,295
Median Home Value
$358,800
Median Rent
$1,653/mo
Population
39,925
College Educated
39.2%
Homeownership
88.4%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Washington Alternative HS has a median household income of $121,295. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $358,800, with a median rent of $1,653/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| 916 MAHTOMEDI ACADEMY White Bear Lake, MN | 6.6 |
| GUADALUPE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS Saint Paul, MN | 6.6 |
| MENLO PARK ACADEMY Minneapolis, MN | 6.6 |
| MERC Minneapolis, MN | 6.6 |
| OWATONNA ALC 9-12 Owatonna, MN | 6.6 |
| PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE AREA ALC Prior Lake, MN | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Washington Alternative HS
What grades does South Washington Alternative HS serve?
South Washington Alternative HS serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend South Washington Alternative HS?
South Washington Alternative HS has an enrollment of approximately 92 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Washington Alternative HS?
The student-teacher ratio at South Washington Alternative HS is 7.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Washington Alternative HS rank in MN?
South Washington Alternative HS is ranked #894 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is South Washington Alternative HS's MySchoolScout rating?
South Washington Alternative HS has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Washington Alternative HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Washington Alternative HS has 15.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Washington Alternative HS a charter school?
No, South Washington Alternative HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Washington Alternative HS a Title I school?
No, South Washington Alternative HS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Washington Alternative HS?
58.7% of students at South Washington Alternative HS 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (721/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cottage Grove). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 92
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (651) 425-7001
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Washington County Schools- District Enrollment
- 19,360
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,992
- District Rank
- #10 of 26
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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