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.
97
Total Students
13.3
Full-Time Teachers
7.3
Student/Teacher Ratio
49.5%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for South Washington Alternative HS
Demographic Student Count
White40
Hispanic23
Black14
Asian8
Two or More11
American Indian1
  • White
    40 (41.2%)
  • Hispanic
    23 (23.7%)
  • Black
    14 (14.4%)
  • Two or More
    11 (11.3%)
  • Asian
    8 (8.2%)
  • American Indian
    1 (1.0%)
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: 6th - 12th
Total Students: 97
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 13.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 7.3
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 43
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 5
Grades Taught
Grade 10 4
Grade 11 17
Grade 12 76

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for South Washington Alternative HS
Grade Student Count
Grade 104
Grade 1117
Grade 1276
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for South Washington Alternative HS
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female5455.7%
Male4344.3%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)