Average
#1062 of 1,992 schools in MN
South Washington Alternative HS
High School · South Washington County Schools · Cottage Grove, MN
A South Washington County Schools high school where students score 19 points below what's typical for similar communities.
8400 E POINT DOUGLAS RD S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
- Math 10% proficient (2022)
- Reading 25% proficient (2022)
- 37.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at South Washington Alternative HS score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MN average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 12 points across the 14-year record (2009–2022) and has held near 18% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 10% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 28% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 25 test records from MN state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
58.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where South Washington Alternative HS sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Minneapolis map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 62Somewhat Walkable
- Bike 51Bikeable
- City Safety: Elevated721/100K
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FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Cottage Grove), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$121,295
Median home value
$358,800
Median rent
$1,653/mo
College educated
39.2%
Homeownership
88.4%
Poverty rate
4.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 55016; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AccessEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | 10–12 | 0.0 mi | 10 | Compare → |
| Park High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.8 | 9–12 | 1.2 mi | 1,957 | Compare → |
| Next Step Transition ProgramEnrollment path unverified | 3.7 | 12 | 1.6 mi | 95 | Compare → |
| Hope Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | 6.9private | PK–12 | 3.0 mi | 52 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
South Washington County Schools
- Schools in district
- 29
- Rank in district
- #12 of 26
- District spending per student
- $13,992NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 3.5%Census SAIPE · 2024
South Washington Alternative HS is listed in South Washington County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About South Washington Alternative HS
South Washington Alternative HS is a public high school in Cottage Grove, MN, part of South Washington County Schools, serving approximately 92 students in grades 7th-12th with a 7.7:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,062 of 1,992 schools in MN. State assessment records show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 ranks #1,062 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is South Washington Alternative HS's MySchoolScout rating?
South Washington Alternative HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South Washington Alternative HS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Washington Alternative HS has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 92
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Washington County
- Phone
- (651) 425-7001
- 4-Year Graduation
- 37.0%
- Area population (ZIP 55016)
- 39,925
- Area average commute
- 24.6 min
- Area median age
- 36.8
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 55016; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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