SOUTH WASHINGTON ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL

SOUTH WASHINGTON ALTERNATIVE HS is a Title I public high school that is part of the South Washington County Schools school district, located in COTTAGE GROVE, MN with about 66 students offering grade levels from 8th Grade to 12th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 13 teachers, SOUTH WASHINGTON ALTERNATIVE HS has a student/teacher ratio of about 5:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

South Washington Alternative High School (SWAHS), located in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, operates as a specialized educational setting within the South Washington County School District. The school is specifically designed to support students who may not thrive in a traditional high school environment by offering a more personalized, flexible, and supportive academic experience. By focusing on smaller class sizes and individualized attention, the school aims to help students overcome academic or personal barriers, earn necessary credits, and successfully move toward graduation.

The program emphasizes a combination of academic rigor and social-emotional support, often utilizing non-traditional instructional methods to cater to diverse learning styles. As an Area Learning Center (ALC), the school provides a pathway for students to recover credits, explore career-readiness skills, and build a sense of community. Through its dedicated staff and goal-oriented curriculum, South Washington Alternative High School serves as a vital resource for ensuring that all students in the district have equitable access to a high school diploma and a plan for their post-secondary future.

For more information, contact SOUTH WASHINGTON ALTERNATIVE HS at (651) 425-7001 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.