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Below Average

#368 of 451 schools in ND

South Central Alternative High School

High School · BISMARCK 1

406 S Anderson St, Bismarck, ND 58504

Enrollment

118

Student-Teacher

19.7:1

Score

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bismarck

#22 of 27

public schools

North Dakota high schools

#133 of 155

In district

#21 of 26

BISMARCK 1

About South Central Alternative High School

South Central Alternative High School in Bismarck, North Dakota, is a regular public high school serving students from ninth to twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 118 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.7:1, the school provides personalized attention in its small setting within a city environment. South Central Alternative High School has six full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.

The academic performance at South Central Alternative High School shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranking at the 9th percentile among North Dakota schools. In ELA/reading proficiency, 25% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the same percentage of students meet or exceed proficiency levels. South Central Alternative High School is situated in a small city setting within Burleigh County, offering its students access to community resources and support networks.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 118 students, South Central Alternative High School 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.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics4.7Below Average33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness7.0Very Good40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,050

South Central Alternative High School — Students at South Central Alternative High School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2018-19)

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

Based on 2 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

How South Central Alternative High School Compares

See how South Central Alternative High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
19th percentile in ND
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

406 S Anderson St, Bismarck, ND 58504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Central Alternative High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BISMARCK HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bismarck, see our Bismarck schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 0.6 mi 5.9
CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Bismarck 0.6 mi 6.2
DOROTHY MOSES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.0 mi 6.9
HIGHLAND ACRES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.2 mi 7.0
MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL Bismarck 1.0 mi 6.8
LIGHT OF CHRIST CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Bismarck 1.1 mi 5.0
WILL-MOORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.1 mi 3.6
VICTOR SOLHEIM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.4 mi 7.5
WACHTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck 1.1 mi 4.7
ST MARY'S GRADE SCHOOL Bismarck 1.1 mi 5.6
BISMARCK HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck 1.2 mi 5.4
GRIMSRUD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.8 mi 6.8
NORTHRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.8 mi 6.1
JEANNETTE MYHRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.4 mi 4.0
BECEP CENTER Bismarck 1.6 mi 5.4
THE INNOVATION SCHOOL Bismarck 1.6 mi 5.4
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 2.4 mi 6.1
PIONEER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 1.9 mi 4.8
SIMLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck 2.1 mi 5.3
CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck 2.8 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,671

Median Home Value

$282,100

Median Rent

$940/mo

Population

30,159

College Educated

31.4%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

18.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Central Alternative High School has a median household income of $78,671. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $282,100, with a median rent of $940/month. The local poverty rate of 8.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
FLASHER HIGH SCHOOL Flasher, ND 5.0
BELFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Belfield, ND 5.1
UNDERWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Underwood, ND 4.7
NEW SALEM-ALMONT HIGH SCHOOL New Salem, ND 5.2
KENMARE HIGH SCHOOL Kenmare, ND 4.5
EIGHT MILE HIGH SCHOOL Trenton, ND 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Central Alternative High School

What grades does South Central Alternative High School serve?

South Central Alternative High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Central Alternative High School?

South Central Alternative High School has an enrollment of approximately 118 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Central Alternative High School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Central Alternative High School is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Central Alternative High School rank in ND?

South Central Alternative High School is ranked #368 out of 451 schools in ND.

What is South Central Alternative High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Central Alternative High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 South Central Alternative High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Central Alternative High School has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Central Alternative High School a charter school?

No, South Central Alternative High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Central Alternative High School a Title I school?

No, South Central Alternative High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Central Alternative High School?

83.1% of students at South Central Alternative High School 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
High (2,684/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Burleigh County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BISMARCK 1
District Enrollment
14,118
Schools in District
29
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,570
District Rank
#21 of 26

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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