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Below Average

#1848 of 1,986 schools in MN

Swwc Alc - Pipestone

High School · Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop

1106 7TH STREET SE, Pipestone, MN 56164

Enrollment

42

Student-Teacher

42:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pipestone

#4 of 4

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#588 of 628

In district

#4 of 4

Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop

About Swwc Alc - Pipestone

SWWC ALC - Pipestone is a high school located in the remote rural area of Pipestone, Minnesota. The school serves students from ninth to twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 42 students. With only one full-time equivalent teacher, the student-to-teacher ratio is quite high at 42:1.

SWWC ALC - Pipestone offers a unique alternative education setting for those who may not thrive in traditional school environments. The MySchoolScout rating for SWWC ALC - Pipestone is 2.9 out of 10, reflecting the school's academic score of 2.7/10 and its state ranking at #1921 out of 2027 schools statewide, which places it in the bottom 5th percentile. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate for students is 25% or above, indicating there is room for improvement in this area.

While SWWC ALC - Pipestone may not excel in standardized test scores, its remote location and alternative educational approach cater to a specific need within the community. The school's setting provides a unique environment that can support students who benefit from smaller, more personalized learning experiences outside of traditional classroom structures.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 42 students, Swwc Alc - Pipestone 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Swwc Alc - Pipestone is 42:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Swwc Alc - Pipestone may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics3.1Fair33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-21.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College Readiness6.7Above Average40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio42:1
Per-Pupil Spending$152,130

Swwc Alc - Pipestone — Students at Swwc Alc - Pipestone score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

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

Based on 1 test record from MN state assessments. About our data

How Swwc Alc - Pipestone Compares

See how Swwc Alc - Pipestone performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in MN
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
42:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

Location

1106 7TH STREET SE, Pipestone, MN 56164

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Swwc Alc - Pipestone may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Elkton High School - 01 (rated 6.4/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Elkton), which scores notably higher. Another option is PIPESTONE SENIOR HIGH (rated 5.7/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EDGERTON SECONDARY (rated 5.4/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Edgerton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pipestone, see our Pipestone schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.0 mi
School Distance Rating
SWWC ELC - Pipestone Pipestone 2.1 mi
Pipestone Elementary Pipestone 1.9 mi 8.9
PIPESTONE SENIOR HIGH Pipestone 1.9 mi 5.7
PIPESTONE MIDDLE Pipestone 1.9 mi 5.1
HEARTLAND ELEMENTARY Lake Benton 12.0 mi
Pleasant Valley Colony Elementary - 06 Flandreau 9.4 mi 5.8
FREE CHRISTIAN Edgerton 11.7 mi
SOUTHWEST MN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Edgerton 11.7 mi 5.7
EDGERTON ELEMENTARY Edgerton 11.7 mi 6.2
EDGERTON SECONDARY Edgerton 11.7 mi 5.4
LAKE BENTON ELEMENTARY Lake Benton 18.4 mi 8.0
LAKE BENTON SECONDARY Lake Benton 18.4 mi
Flandreau Indian Boarding School Flandreau 15.2 mi
Elkton Elementary - 02 Elkton 18.7 mi 5.9
Elkton High School - 01 Elkton 18.7 mi 6.4
Elkton Jr. High - 03 Elkton 18.7 mi 6.8
Flandreau Elementary - 04 Flandreau 15.5 mi 4.2
Flandreau High School - 01 Flandreau 15.5 mi 4.0
Flandreau Middle School - 03 Flandreau 15.6 mi 4.7
RTR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tyler 21.0 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 56164 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,550

Median Home Value

$133,300

Median Rent

$727/mo

Population

5,573

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

78%

Avg Commute

14.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.6%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Swwc Alc - Pipestone has a median household income of $71,550. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $133,300, with a median rent of $727/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
Pines School - ACS Lino Lakes, MN 4.1
Princeton Online MN Princeton, MN 4.4
Central Lakes Adventure School Pillager, MN 4.5
BAIS YAAKOV HIGH SCHOOL Minneapolis, MN 4.6
La Crescent Sec Montessori/STEM La Crescent, MN 4.6
BECKER ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRAM Becker, MN 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Swwc Alc - Pipestone

What grades does Swwc Alc - Pipestone serve?

Swwc Alc - Pipestone serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Swwc Alc - Pipestone?

Swwc Alc - Pipestone has an enrollment of approximately 42 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Swwc Alc - Pipestone?

The student-teacher ratio at Swwc Alc - Pipestone is 42:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Swwc Alc - Pipestone rank in MN?

Swwc Alc - Pipestone is ranked #1848 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Swwc Alc - Pipestone's MySchoolScout rating?

Swwc Alc - Pipestone has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Swwc Alc - Pipestone?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swwc Alc - Pipestone has 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Swwc Alc - Pipestone a charter school?

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

Is Swwc Alc - Pipestone a Title I school?

No, Swwc Alc - Pipestone is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swwc Alc - Pipestone?

40.5% of students at Swwc Alc - Pipestone 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

County Safety
Average (385/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
42
Student-Teacher Ratio
42:1
Teachers (FTE)
1
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Pipestone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Region 6 and 8-SW/WC Service Coop
District Enrollment
295
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$161,566
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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