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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness6.7Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$57,642

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.6/10
83th percentile in MN
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,691/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fairmont). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SOUTHERN PLAINS EDUCATION COOP.
District Enrollment
104
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$58,143
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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