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Very Good

#556 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 28% in state

Village Ranch Alternative Program

High School · MEEKER AND WRIGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION

13637 60TH ST. SW, Cokato, MN 55321

Enrollment

33

Student-Teacher

5.5:1

Score

7.2

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cokato

#2 of 5

public schools

Minnesota high schools

#108 of 628

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Village Ranch Alternative Program

Village Ranch Alternative Program is an innovative educational setting in Cokato, Minnesota, serving students from fifth grade through twelfth grade. With a student body of 33 learners and a dedicated teaching staff of six full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a close-knit community with a low student-teacher ratio of 5.5:1. Located in a rural area, Village Ranch provides an intimate environment where students can receive personalized attention.

The academic performance at Village Ranch is currently rated lower compared to other schools in Minnesota, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of 48th percentile. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency stands at 23%, while Math proficiency is at 10%. Despite these challenges, the program focuses on developing individual student needs and fostering growth in its supportive rural setting.

Village Ranch Alternative Program thrives in a quiet, close-knit community that offers a unique learning experience for students seeking an alternative to traditional education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 33 students, Village Ranch Alternative Program 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 Village Ranch Alternative Program 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 5.5:1, Village Ranch Alternative Program 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 Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
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 Ratio5.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$51,802

Village Ranch Alternative Program — Students at Village Ranch Alternative Program score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.3%
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
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
30%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Village Ranch Alternative Program Compares

See how Village Ranch Alternative Program performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in MN
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

13637 60TH ST. SW, Cokato, MN 55321

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Village Ranch Alternative Program may also want to explore other high schools in the area. DASSEL-COKATO SENIOR HIGH (rated 6.7/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is DASSEL-COKATO ALTERNATIVE CTR. (rated 5.1/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, HOWARD LAKE-WAVERLY-WINSTED SEC. (rated 3.0/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Howard Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cokato, see our Cokato schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
DASSEL-COKATO ALTERNATIVE CTR. Cokato 1.4 mi 5.1
COKATO ELEMENTARY Cokato 1.4 mi 7.1
DASSEL-COKATO SENIOR HIGH Cokato 3.5 mi 6.7
DASSEL-COKATO MIDDLE Cokato 3.5 mi 7.7
MEEKER-WRIGHT EARLY CHILDHOOD SP ED Howard Lake 4.7 mi
STEP TD PROGRAM Howard Lake 4.7 mi
JOURNEYS ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM Howard Lake 4.7 mi
TREK PROGRAM Howard Lake 4.7 mi
HLWW ALTERNATIVE LEARNING PROGRAM Howard Lake 4.7 mi
ST JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Howard Lake 5.0 mi 5.9
HOWARD LAKE-WAVERLY-WINSTED SEC. Howard Lake 5.6 mi 3.0
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Middle Howard Lake 5.6 mi 5.2
DASSEL ELEMENTARY Dassel 6.9 mi 8.3
WINSTED ELEMENTARY Winsted 8.8 mi 6.1
HOWARD LAKE WAVERLY WINSTED ECSE Winsted 8.8 mi
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Winsted 9.0 mi 6.6
LAKESIDE ELEMENTARY Glencoe 11.4 mi 6.9
HUMPHREY ELEMENTARY Waverly 9.5 mi 5.0
Sholund School for Girls Annandale 13.7 mi
ANNANDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Annandale 14.0 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,250

Median Home Value

$265,100

Median Rent

$960/mo

Population

5,592

College Educated

20%

Homeownership

78.7%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

32.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Village Ranch Alternative Program has a median household income of $81,250. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $265,100, with a median rent of $960/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
STEPS TOWARD ADULT RESPONSIBILITY Chaska, MN 7.2
WHITE BEAR TRANSITION PLUS PROGRAM Hugo, MN 7.2
Wayzata Transition School Wayzata, MN 7.2
HARRISON EDUCATION CENTER Minneapolis, MN 7.3
NORTHLAND LEARNING CENTER 010 Virginia, MN 7.3
ROBBINSDALE TRANSITION CENTER Crystal, MN 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Village Ranch Alternative Program

What grades does Village Ranch Alternative Program serve?

Village Ranch Alternative Program serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Village Ranch Alternative Program?

Village Ranch Alternative Program has an enrollment of approximately 33 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Village Ranch Alternative Program?

The student-teacher ratio at Village Ranch Alternative Program is 5.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Village Ranch Alternative Program rank in MN?

Village Ranch Alternative Program is ranked #556 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Village Ranch Alternative Program's MySchoolScout rating?

Village Ranch Alternative Program has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Village Ranch Alternative Program?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Village Ranch Alternative Program has 10.0% math proficiency and 23.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Village Ranch Alternative Program a charter school?

No, Village Ranch Alternative Program is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Village Ranch Alternative Program a Title I school?

No, Village Ranch Alternative Program is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Village Ranch Alternative Program?

78.8% of students at Village Ranch Alternative Program 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (423/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
33
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Wright County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MEEKER AND WRIGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION
District Enrollment
189
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$53,759
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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