Average
#1062 of 1,992 schools in MN
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
6.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
92
Student-Teacher
7.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#1,062 of 1,992
In Cottage Grove
#5 of 12
public schools
In district
#12 of 26
South Washington County Schools
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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South Washington Alternative HS
High School in Cottage Grove · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ages 3-5 Early Childhood Special Ed
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Access
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Washington Alternative HS
South Washington Alternative HS is a public high school in Cottage Grove, MN, part of South Washington County Schools. South Washington Alternative HS serves approximately 92 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 7.7:1 student-teacher ratio. South Washington Alternative HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,062 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for South Washington Alternative HS show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- MN avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 92 students, South Washington Alternative HS is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at South Washington Alternative HS sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 7.7:1 students to teachers, South Washington Alternative HS sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time 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 25 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: 9.0/10.
How South Washington Alternative HS Compares
See how South Washington Alternative HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Park High School (rated 5.8/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Next Step Transition Program (rated 3.7/10, 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 | 3.5 |
| Access Cottage Grove | 0.0 mi | — |
| ARMSTRONG ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| HILLSIDE ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Park High School Cottage Grove | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| CRESTVIEW ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| PINE HILL ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Next Step Transition Program Cottage Grove | 1.6 mi | 3.7 |
| GREY CLOUD ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| COTTAGE GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cottage Grove | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| COTTAGE GROVE ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove | 2.6 mi | 8.9 |
| PULLMAN ELEMENTARY Saint Paul Park | 2.5 mi | 4.5 |
| OLTMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Cottage Grove | 3.2 mi | 5.5 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Saint Paul Park | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
| PINE HARBOR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hastings | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion Saint Paul Park | 3.3 mi | 4.3 |
| EAST RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Woodbury | 4.7 mi | 6.5 |
| GORDON BAILEY ELEMENTARY Woodbury | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| ST AMBROSE OF WOODBURY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Woodbury | 5.1 mi | 5.4 |
| NEWPORT ELEMENTARY Newport | 4.5 mi | 8.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CLOQUET AREA ALT. ED. PROGRAMS Cloquet, MN | 6.1 |
| DULUTH AREA LEARNING CENTER Duluth, MN | 6.1 |
| NORTHEAST RANGE SECONDARY Babbitt, MN | 6.1 |
| ZUMBRO AREA LEARNING CENTER Kasson, MN | 6.1 |
| DREAM Technical Academy Willmar, MN | 6.0 |
| EL COLEGIO CHARTER SCHOOL Minneapolis, MN | 6.0 |
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- 4-Year Graduation
- 37.0%
Resources & Links
District
South Washington County Schools- District Enrollment
- 19,360
- Schools in District
- 29
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,992
- District Rank
- #12 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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