Very Good
#346 of 1,986 schools in MN
Top 17% in state
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.
High School · SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP.
1200 NORTH PARK STREET, Fairmont, MN 56031
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
59
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fairmont
#1 of 3
public schools
Minnesota high schools
#39 of 628
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.
Southern Plains Area Learning Center is an alternative high school located in the remote town of Fairmont, Minnesota. The school serves students in grades 8 through 12 and has a total enrollment of 59 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. With five full-time equivalent teachers, Southern Plains Area Learning Center offers personalized attention to each student.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.3 out of 10, ranking it in the 48th percentile among Minnesota schools, with a state rank of #1045 out of 2027 schools. In terms of academic performance, Southern Plains Area Learning Center has an Academic Score of 2.7/10, indicating room for improvement. Specifically, 25% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math.
While the school's test scores suggest areas where additional support is needed, the small class sizes and dedicated staff help create a supportive environment focused on student development and growth. Southern Plains Area Learning Center provides a nurturing setting for its diverse group of learners who benefit from individualized attention and resources tailored to their unique needs. Southern Plains Area Learning Center sits in the heart of Fairmont, offering students access to community programs and activities that complement their educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 59 students, Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. — Students at Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.7%
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: 9.0/10.
How Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. Compares
See how Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. 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 remained stable from 25% (2021) to 25% (2022).
Location
1200 NORTH PARK STREET, Fairmont, MN 56031
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. may also want to explore other high schools in the area. North Union High School (rated 8.4/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Armstrong), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Granada Huntley East Chain High Sch (rated 7.4/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Granada), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Northrop), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fairmont, see our Fairmont schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP. Fairmont | 0.0 mi | — |
| POSITIVE APPROACH TO LEARNING Fairmont | 0.0 mi | — |
| SOUTHERN PLAINS BRIDGES Fairmont | 0.0 mi | — |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fairmont | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| FAIRMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fairmont | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOHN VIANNEY SCHOOL Fairmont | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| FAIRMONT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fairmont | 1.7 mi | — |
| FAIRMONT JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL Fairmont | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fairmont | 5.1 mi | 6.4 |
| MARTIN LUTHER HIGH SCHOOL Northrop | 5.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Granada Huntley East Chain Elem Sch Granada | 6.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Granada Huntley East Chain High Sch Granada | 6.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Granada Huntley East Chain Middle S Granada | 6.2 mi | 5.8 |
| TRUMAN ELEMENTARY Truman | 11.2 mi | 7.1 |
| TRUMAN SECONDARY Truman | 11.2 mi | 5.2 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Truman | 11.7 mi | 5.6 |
| SHERBURN ELEMENTARY Sherburn | 13.3 mi | 6.8 |
| North Union High School Armstrong | 18.4 mi | 8.4 |
| MARTIN COUNTY WEST SENIOR HIGH Sherburn | 13.5 mi | 5.1 |
| MARTIN COUNTY WEST JUNIOR HIGH Sherburn | 13.5 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 56031 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,373
Median Home Value
$175,600
Median Rent
$719/mo
Population
11,800
College Educated
26.2%
Homeownership
68.5%
Avg Commute
15.5 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
46.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. has a median household income of $61,373. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $175,600, with a median rent of $719/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Lionsgate Academy AIM North Saint Paul, MN | 7.6 |
| North Education Center Academy New Hope, MN | 7.6 |
| SWMetro Shakopee Special Ed Shakopee, MN | 7.6 |
| TASSEL TRANSITION Eden Prairie, MN | 7.6 |
| FAIRVIEW ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL Roseville, MN | 7.5 |
| JENNINGS EXPERIENTIAL HIGH SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.
What grades does Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. serve?
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. serves students in grades 8th through 12th.
How many students attend Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.?
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. has an enrollment of approximately 59 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. rank in MN?
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. is ranked #346 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. a charter school?
No, Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. a Title I school?
No, Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr.?
84.7% of students at Southern Plains Area Learning Cntr. 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 8th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 59
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Martin County
- Phone
- (507) 238-1472
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP.- District Enrollment
- 104
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $58,143
- 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.