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
Enrollment
33
Student-Teacher
5.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
5th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Village Ranch Alternative Program — Students at Village Ranch Alternative Program score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 30% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (320) 543-1122
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MEEKER AND WRIGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION- District Enrollment
- 189
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $53,759
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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