School Overview
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.
85
Total Students
6.6
Full-Time Teachers
12.9
Student/Teacher Ratio
56.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for South Washington Alternative HS
Demographic Student Count
White29
Hispanic19
Black23
Asian2
Two or More12
  • White
    29 (34.1 %)
  • Black
    23 (27.1 %)
  • Hispanic
    19 (22.4 %)
  • Two or More
    12 (14.1 %)
  • Asian
    2 (2.4 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High School
School Type: Alternative School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: Yes
District: South Washington County Schools
Phone: (651)425-7001
Website: http://swahs.sowashco.org/
Grade Range: 10th - 12th
Total Students: 85
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 6.6
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 12.9
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 43
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 5
Grades Taught
Grade 10 1
Grade 11 20
Grade 12 64

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for South Washington Alternative HS
Grade Student Count
Grade 101
Grade 1120
Grade 1264
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for South Washington Alternative HS
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female4552.9%
Male4047.1%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)