Average
#399 of 864 schools in NM
Top 46% in state
Career Prep Alternative
High School · CENTRAL
P. O. BOX 3514, Shiprock, NM 87420
Enrollment
136
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
136
Student-Teacher
11.3:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shiprock
#2 of 6
public schools
New Mexico high schools
#75 of 193
In district
#3 of 15
CENTRAL
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Career Prep Alternative
Career Prep Alternative in Shiprock, New Mexico, is an alternative high school serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 136 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The dedicated team consists of 12 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with their students.
Career Prep Alternative focuses on providing an alternative educational path for students who may benefit from smaller class sizes and individualized support. While the academic performance metrics show that there is room for improvement—such as a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and state ranking at #684 out of 874 schools in New Mexico—the school's setting within a small town community offers students a nurturing environment. Career Prep Alternative stands as an important resource for the Shiprock area, offering tailored educational opportunities to help students reach their full potential.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 136 students, Career Prep Alternative 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 Career Prep Alternative 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Career Prep Alternative — Students at Career Prep Alternative score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.
How Career Prep Alternative Compares
See how Career Prep Alternative performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 10% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
P. O. BOX 3514, Shiprock, NM 87420
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Career Prep Alternative may also want to explore other high schools in the area. KIRTLAND CENTRAL HIGH (rated 6.3/10, 19.2 miles away, in nearby Kirtland), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SHIPROCK HIGH (rated 4.4/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shiprock, see our Shiprock schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EVA B STOKELY ELEMENTARY Shiprock | 0.1 mi | 8.0 |
| SHIPROCK HIGH Shiprock | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| TSE BIT AI MIDDLE Shiprock | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| NIZHONI ELEMENTARY Shiprock | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Shiprock Northwest High School Shiprock | 2.3 mi | — |
| Atsa' Biya' a'zh Community School Shiprock | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| DREAM DINE CHARTER SCHOOL Shiprock | 2.1 mi | — |
| MESA ELEMENTARY Shiprock | 2.4 mi | 6.1 |
| OPEN BIBLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterflow | 14.4 mi | — |
| OPEN BIBLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waterflow | 14.4 mi | — |
| Nenahnezad Community School Fruitland | 17.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Beclabito Day School Shiprock | 17.6 mi | 8.1 |
| JUDY NELSON ELEMENTARY Kirtland | 18.5 mi | 5.6 |
| KIRTLAND CENTRAL HIGH Kirtland | 19.2 mi | 6.3 |
| KIRTLAND MIDDLE Kirtland | 19.3 mi | 5.2 |
| OJO AMARILLO ELEMENTARY Fruitland | 20.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Sanostee Day School Sanostee | 24.5 mi | — |
| KIRTLAND ELEMENTARY Kirtland | 20.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Red Rock Day School Red Valley | 22.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Red Valley/Cove High School Teec Nos Pos | 23.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,079
Median Home Value
$101,600
Median Rent
$693/mo
Population
11,048
College Educated
10.9%
Homeownership
54.9%
Avg Commute
31.9 min
Poverty Rate
27.9%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Career Prep Alternative has a median household income of $38,079. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $101,600, with a median rent of $693/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| GILBERT L SENA CHARTER HS Albuquerque, NM | 6.5 |
| GALLUP CENTRAL ALTERNATIVE Gallup, NM | 6.4 |
| MIMBRES VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Deming, NM | 6.6 |
| RIO GRANDE PREPARATORY INSTITUTE Mesilla, NM | 6.4 |
| HAGERMAN HIGH Hagerman, NM | 6.3 |
| ALMA D'ARTE CHARTER Las Cruces, NM | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Career Prep Alternative
What grades does Career Prep Alternative serve?
Career Prep Alternative serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Career Prep Alternative?
Career Prep Alternative has an enrollment of approximately 136 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Career Prep Alternative?
The student-teacher ratio at Career Prep Alternative is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Career Prep Alternative rank in NM?
Career Prep Alternative is ranked #399 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Career Prep Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?
Career Prep Alternative has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Career Prep Alternative?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Career Prep Alternative has 6.3% math proficiency and 11.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Career Prep Alternative a charter school?
No, Career Prep Alternative is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Career Prep Alternative a Title I school?
No, Career Prep Alternative is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Career Prep Alternative?
97.1% of students at Career Prep Alternative qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (605/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 136
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- San Juan County
- Phone
- (505) 368-4980
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CENTRAL- District Enrollment
- 4,702
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,470
- District Rank
- #3 of 15
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.
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