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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,904

Career Prep Alternative — Students at Career Prep Alternative score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 11.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
10%

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.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in NM
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

CENTRAL
District Enrollment
4,702
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,470
District Rank
#3 of 15

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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