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Needs Improvement

#1958 of 1,992 schools in MN

The Alternative Program (tap)

High School · WAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

4955 PEONY LN, Plymouth, MN 55446

Enrollment

160

Student-Teacher

53.3:1

Score

3.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,958 of 1,992

In Plymouth

#20 of 20

public schools

In district

#16 of 16

WAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

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The Alternative Program (tap)

3.3/10

High School in Plymouth · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wayzata High

7.7/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Wayzata Transition School

5.7/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About The Alternative Program (tap)

The Alternative Program (tap) is a public high school in Plymouth, MN, part of WAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. The Alternative Program (tap) serves approximately 160 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 53.3:1 student-teacher ratio. The Alternative Program (tap) has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,958 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for The Alternative Program (tap) show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019).

How it compares2.3 pts below district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.6
  • MN avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 160 students, The Alternative Program (tap) 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.

The Alternative Program (tap) runs 53.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

91% of students at The Alternative Program (tap) were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average36%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-1.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2019
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement36%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10% (2019 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.5% (2019 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency22% (2019 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2019 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-16.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.1Needs Improvement29%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio53.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,820
Chronic Absenteeism91.2%

The Alternative Program (tap) — Students at The Alternative Program (tap) score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2018-19)

Math Proficiency 12.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2019)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2019)
School
State
N/A

Based on 19 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2010
Math
24.5%
ELA
69.5%
2011
Math
10%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
10%
2013
Math
10%
ELA
24.5%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
34.5%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
34.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.4/10.

How The Alternative Program (tap) Compares

See how The Alternative Program (tap) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in MN
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
1.1/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
53:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
91.2%

Location

4955 PEONY LN, Plymouth, MN 55446

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Alternative Program (tap) may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WAYZATA HIGH (rated 7.7/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is WEST LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wayzata Transition School (rated 5.7/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Wayzata), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plymouth, see our Plymouth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
WAYZATA HIGH Plymouth 0.0 mi 7.7
Wayzata Transition School Wayzata 0.5 mi 5.7
North Woods Elementary School Plymouth 0.7 mi 8.5
KIMBERLY LANE ELEMENTARY Plymouth 0.9 mi 7.8
Meadow Ridge Elementary School Plymouth 1.1 mi 6.4
GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY Plymouth 1.5 mi 8.3
PLYMOUTH CREEK ELEMENTARY Plymouth 1.7 mi 8.4
AVE MARIA ACADEMY Maple Grove 2.7 mi 7.2
BASSWOOD ELEMENTARY Maple Grove 2.8 mi 8.3
OAKWOOD ELEMENTARY Plymouth 3.4 mi 7.2
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Plymouth 3.4 mi 4.5
WEST LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Plymouth 3.0 mi 7.7
School #519 Plymouth 4.0 mi
GLEASON LAKE ELEMENTARY Plymouth 4.4 mi 8.2
School #540 Plymouth 3.6 mi
WAYZATA CENTRAL MIDDLE Plymouth 4.6 mi 7.7
CENTRAL MIDDLE ALTERNATIVE (CMAP) Plymouth 4.6 mi
REDEEMER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wayzata 4.8 mi 5.0
BIRCHVIEW ELEMENTARY Plymouth 4.5 mi 6.5
Weaver Lake Science Math & Tech Sch Maple Grove 4.7 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55446 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$169,412

Median Home Value

$559,100

Median Rent

$1,932/mo

Population

27,627

College Educated

75.8%

Homeownership

82.2%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

2.3%

Median Age

38.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
RPS Online High School Rochester, MN 3.2
Big Lake Online 6-12 Big Lake, MN 3.4
Banaadir Secondary Minneapolis, MN 3.5
5RiversOnline Secondary Red Wing, MN 2.8
ALC Independent Study Duluth, MN 3.8
Pathways Coon Rapids, MN 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Alternative Program (tap)

What grades does The Alternative Program (tap) serve?

The Alternative Program (tap) serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend The Alternative Program (tap)?

The Alternative Program (tap) has an enrollment of approximately 160 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Alternative Program (tap)?

The student-teacher ratio at The Alternative Program (tap) is 53.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does The Alternative Program (tap) rank in MN?

The Alternative Program (tap) ranks #1,958 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is The Alternative Program (tap)'s MySchoolScout rating?

The Alternative Program (tap) has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 The Alternative Program (tap)?

Based on loaded state assessment records, The Alternative Program (tap) has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2019).

Is The Alternative Program (tap) a charter school?

No, The Alternative Program (tap) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is The Alternative Program (tap) a Title I school?

No, The Alternative Program (tap) is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Alternative Program (tap)?

53.8% of students at The Alternative Program (tap) 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
160
Student-Teacher Ratio
53.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small City
County
Hennepin County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
91.2%

District

WAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
12,625
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,820
District Rank
#16 of 16

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