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Average

#776 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 39% in state

Swmetro Alc

High School · Southwest Metro Intermediate 288

4601 DEAN LAKES BLVD, Shakopee, MN 55379

Enrollment

90

Student-Teacher

4.3:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shakopee

#7 of 14

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#183 of 628

In district

#4 of 4

Southwest Metro Intermediate 288

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Swmetro Alc

SWMetro ALC is an alternative high school located in Shakopee, Minnesota, in a large suburban setting. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 90 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 4.3:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. With its focus on providing alternative education options, SWMetro ALC aims to support diverse learning needs.

The academic performance at SWMetro ALC is rated at 5.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 1006th school in Minnesota among a total of 2027 schools. On average, only 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 8% reach proficiency in math. These scores indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance student development and academic support.

SWMetro ALC is situated in a suburban area that offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial spaces, providing a blend of community resources and local amenities for students and families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 90 students, Swmetro Alc 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 Swmetro Alc 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 4.3:1, Swmetro Alc 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 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
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-28.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
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 Ratio4.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$56,100

Swmetro Alc — Students at Swmetro Alc score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 8.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 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
5%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
10%
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 Swmetro Alc Compares

See how Swmetro Alc performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
61th percentile in MN
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
4:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

4601 DEAN LAKES BLVD, Shakopee, MN 55379

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Swmetro Alc may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Tokata Learning Center (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is CHASKA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Chaska), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Chaska), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shakopee, see our Shakopee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
SWMetro Independent Study Shakopee 0.0 mi
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chaska 0.1 mi 4.5
SWMetro CCJ Shakopee 0.2 mi
BREAKAWAY ACADEMY Chaska 1.2 mi 7.9
CHASKA MIDDLE SCHOOL WEST Chaska 1.3 mi 6.6
CHASKA MIDDLE SCHOOL EAST Chaska 1.3 mi 6.7
Kinder Academy Chaska 1.5 mi 6.7
LA ACADEMIA Chaska 1.5 mi 8.2
SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Chaska 1.7 mi 5.7
SWMetro Prairie Care Shakopee 2.0 mi
WORLD LEARNER CHARTER SCHOOL Chaska 2.2 mi 5.1
JONATHAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chaska 2.2 mi
CHASKA HIGH SCHOOL Chaska 2.5 mi 6.0
Early Childhood Special Education Chaska 2.6 mi 5.7
PIONEER RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Chaska 2.5 mi 6.6
Aspire Academy Elementary Shakopee 2.1 mi 3.8
SPECIAL SERVICES Shakopee 2.1 mi 4.7
Sabers Online Middle School Shakopee 2.1 mi
JONATHAN ELEMENTARY Chaska 2.8 mi 6.7
Tokata Learning Center Shakopee 2.1 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55379 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,824

Median Home Value

$366,300

Median Rent

$1,540/mo

Population

49,084

College Educated

39.6%

Homeownership

76.5%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

35.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Swmetro Alc has a median household income of $109,824. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $366,300, with a median rent of $1,540/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Central High Area Learning Center Mankato, MN 6.8
WRIGHT TECHNICAL CENTER ALC Buffalo, MN 6.8
EAST VIEW ACADEMY Little Canada, MN 6.7
Hendricks High School Hendricks, MN 6.7
MOUNDS VIEW ALC Mounds View, MN 6.7
NORTHERN LIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Warba, MN 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Swmetro Alc

What grades does Swmetro Alc serve?

Swmetro Alc serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Swmetro Alc?

Swmetro Alc has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Swmetro Alc?

The student-teacher ratio at Swmetro Alc is 4.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Swmetro Alc rank in MN?

Swmetro Alc is ranked #776 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Swmetro Alc's MySchoolScout rating?

Swmetro Alc has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Swmetro Alc?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swmetro Alc has 8.3% math proficiency and 26.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Swmetro Alc a charter school?

No, Swmetro Alc is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Swmetro Alc a Title I school?

No, Swmetro Alc is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swmetro Alc?

42.2% of students at Swmetro Alc 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,275/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
90
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.2%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Carver County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Southwest Metro Intermediate 288
District Enrollment
521
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$55,872
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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