Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

Summary:

Moorhead Alternative Learning Center is a public high school serving grades 5-12 in Moorhead, Minnesota, with a relatively small student population of 179. However, the school has consistently struggled with low academic performance, high dropout rates, and significant challenges in supporting its diverse and disadvantaged student population.

Moorhead Alternative Learning Center ranks among the lowest-performing high schools in Minnesota, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger and statewide rankings between 399-463 out of 428-480 high schools over the past several years. Its graduation rates have ranged from 25.6% to 51.9% over the past 5 years, while its dropout rates have been high, ranging from 7.6% to 38.4% during the same period. The school's student population is more diverse compared to the nearby Moorhead High School, with a racial makeup of 39.11% White, 18.99% African American, 22.91% Hispanic, 8.94% Native American, and 10.06% two or more races. Additionally, 75.98% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.

In contrast, the Hawley Secondary school, which is part of the Hawley Public School District, consistently outperforms Moorhead Alternative Learning Center and the Moorhead Area Public Schools district as a whole, with high academic achievement, low dropout rates, and strong graduation rates. This suggests that the alternative learning approach at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center may not be as effective in improving student outcomes as the traditional high school model.

Detail:

Public 5-12

2777 34th St S
Moorhead, MN 56560-2892

(218) 284-2230

District: Moorhead Area Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
463^rd of 480 Minnesota High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $18,607

Student/teacher ratio: 11.0

Number of students: 179

Racial breakdown:

White:

39.1%

Hispanic:

22.9%

African American:

19.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 76%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Moorhead Alternative Learning Center is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2016 the calculated Average Standard Score was 1.81. (See more...)

Compare Details Moorhead Alternative Learning Center ranks worse than 96.5% of high schools in Minnesota. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 5.04. (See more...)

The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Moorhead Alternative Learning Center freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (39.1%), Hispanic (22.9%), African American (19%). (See more...)

Compare Details 76% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Moorhead Area Public Schools District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center is 11, which is the lowest among 4 high schools in the Moorhead Area Public Schools District! (See more...)

Compare Moorhead Alternative Learning Center employs 16.2 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center is $18,607, which is the highest among 4 high schools in the Moorhead Area Public Schools District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

Moorhead Alternative Learning Center was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Moorhead Alternative Learning Center 463^rd of 480 Minnesota public high schools. (See Moorhead Alternative Learning Center in the ranking list.)

Moorhead Area Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Moorhead Area Public Schools 302^nd of 463 Minnesota school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MN State Percentile
2006	11.78	373^rd	406	8.1%
2015	1.82	505^th	516	2.1%
2016	1.81	498^th	508	2.0%

See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

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Rank History for all high school students at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MN State Percentile
2005	10.51	408^th	452	9.7%
2006	7.57	416^th	450	7.6%
2007	14.30	387^th	463	16.4%
2008	9.10	413^th	460	10.2%
2009	6.55	215^th	234	8.1%
2010	10.50	447^th	540	17.2%
2011	12.18	446^th	545	18.2%
2012	16.92	419^th	539	22.3%
2013	9.89	440^th	534	17.6%
2014	6.20	440^th	483	8.9%
2015	13.60	419^th	504	16.9%
2016	10.24	411^th	489	16.0%
2017	9.97	418^th	489	14.5%
2018	8.70	432^nd	494	12.6%
2019	6.10	457^th	492	7.1%
2021	6.22	399^th	428	6.8%
2023	8.31	434^th	476	8.8%
2024	5.04	463^rd	480	3.5%

See the entire list of Minnesota High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MN State Percentile
2018	10.36	335^th	374	10.4%
2021	8.46	257^th	270	4.8%
2023	16.25	352^nd	393	10.4%

See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MN State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	4.28	382^nd	396	3.5%

See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MN State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	5.46	373^rd	398	6.3%

See the entire list of Best Minnesota High Schools for Male Students!

Data source: test scores: Minnesota Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1995	16	0	1	10	6	n/a	n/a	33
1996	16	0	1	10	6	n/a	n/a	33
1997	18	0	1	14	9	n/a	n/a	42
1998	24	0	1	18	10	n/a	n/a	53
1999	36	1	0	27	12	n/a	n/a	76
2000	45	1	0	24	15	n/a	n/a	85
2001	47	5	0	31	22	n/a	n/a	105
2002	48	3	0	29	24	n/a	n/a	104
2003	48	3	0	29	24	n/a	n/a	104
2004	57	3	0	24	22	n/a	n/a	106
2005	34	2	1	17	23	n/a	n/a	77
2006	45	2	1	29	28	n/a	n/a	105
2007	53	9	2	46	24	n/a	n/a	134
2008	34	3	1	40	19	n/a	n/a	97
2009	48	8	2	36	18	n/a	n/a	112
2010	39	5	0	37	11	n/a	n/a	92
2011	30	12	0	28	11	0	1	82
2012	45	7	0	20	11	0	5	88
2013	41	3	2	23	13	0	7	89
2014	34	8	1	26	7	0	9	85
2015	37	8	0	44	11	0	12	112
2016	32	9	0	27	12	0	5	85
2017	44	2	0	25	10	0	7	88
2018	43	11	1	35	12	0	17	119
2019	30	12	0	19	15	0	13	89
2020	34	12	0	21	12	0	12	91
2021	37	17	0	20	11	0	14	99
2022	38	11	0	22	11	0	13	95
2023	70	34	0	41	16	0	18	179

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	33	0.0	0.0	0
1996	33	0.0	0.0	0
1997	42	0.0	0.0	0
1998	53	n/a	0.0	71.7
1999	76	8.0	9.5	72.4
2000	85	4.0	21.3	72.9
2001	105	7.6	13.8	77.1
2002	104	9.8	10.6	79.8
2003	104	9.8	10.6	79.8
2004	106	9.0	11.8	68.9
2005	77	6.6	11.7	71.4
2006	105	7.6	13.8	77.1
2007	134	6.6	20.3	70.9
2008	97	6.6	14.7	75.3
2009	112	7.5	14.9	77.7
2010	92	8.4	10.9	71.7
2011	82	8.6	9.5	91.5
2012	88	8.2	10.7	63.6
2013	89	6.6	13.4	78.7
2014	85	6.8	12.5	68.2
2015	112	5.0	22.4	73.2
2016	85	6.0	14.1	75.3
2017	88	6.0	14.6	63.6
2018	119	8.3	14.3	72.3
2019	89	11.1	7.9	67.4
2020	91	9.7	9.3	63.7
2021	99	16.0	6.1	63.6
2022	95	16.1	5.8	80
2023	179	16.2	11.0	76

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	33	0.0	0.0	0
1996	33	0.0	0.0	0
1997	42	0.0	0.0	0
1998	53	n/a	0.0	71.7
1999	76	8.0	9.5	72.4
2000	85	4.0	21.3	72.9
2001	105	7.6	13.8	77.1
2002	104	9.8	10.6	79.8
2003	104	9.8	10.6	79.8
2004	106	9.0	11.8	68.9
2005	77	6.6	11.7	71.4
2006	105	7.6	13.8	77.1
2007	134	6.6	20.3	70.9
2008	97	6.6	14.7	75.3
2009	112	7.5	14.9	77.7
2010	92	8.4	10.9	71.7
2011	82	8.6	9.5	91.5
2012	88	8.2	10.7	63.6
2013	89	6.6	13.4	78.7
2014	85	6.8	12.5	68.2
2015	112	5.0	22.4	73.2
2016	85	6.0	14.1	75.3
2017	88	6.0	14.6	63.6
2018	119	8.3	14.3	72.3
2019	89	11.1	7.9	67.4
2020	91	9.7	9.3	63.7
2021	99	16.0	6.1	63.6
2022	95	16.1	5.8	80
2023	179	16.2	11.0	76

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2019	$18,607

Data source: Minnesota Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 457^th of 492 High schools	Ranks 434^th of 476 High schools	1.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
10th Grade Reading (Moorhead Alternative Learning Center)	11.8	26.7	14.9%
10th Grade Reading (Moorhead Area Public Schools)	54.9	44.1	10.9%
10th Grade Reading (Minnesota)	60.4	51.7	8.7%
11th Grade Math (Moorhead Alternative Learning Center)	10	0	10%
11th Grade Math (Moorhead Area Public Schools)	43.6	28.8	14.8%
11th Grade Math (Minnesota)	45	36	9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	89	179	101.1%
African American	12	34	183.3%
American Indian	15	16	6.7%
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	19	41	115.8%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	30	70	133.3%
Two or More Races	13	18	38.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	67.4%	76%	8.6%

Schools Near Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MCA-III Math (2024)				MCA-III Reading (2024)				MCA-III Science (2024)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCA-III Math 7th Grade	MCA-III Math 8th Grade	MCA-III Math 11th Grade	MCA-III Math All Grades	MCA-III Reading 7th Grade	MCA-III Reading 8th Grade	MCA-III Reading 10th Grade	MCA-III Reading All Grades	MCA-III Science 8th Grade	MCA-III Science End of Course	MCA-III Science All Grades	Total
Moorhead Alternative Learning Center - Barnesville	Public	7-12	2777 34th St S	Moorhead	56560	Clay County	Moorhead Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(218) 284-2230	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)												$3,990
Moorhead ALC: DGF Secondary	Public	9-12	2777 34th St S	Moorhead	56560	Clay County	Moorhead Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(218) 284-2200	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Moorhead Alternative Learning Center	Public	5-12	2777 34th St S	Moorhead	56560	Clay County	Moorhead Area Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(218) 284-2230	179	16	11.0	76.0%	70 (39.1%)	34 (19.0%)	41 (22.9%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (8.9%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (10.1%)	5	463^rd of 480 public high schools	3.5%		8.3	434^th of 476 public high schools	8.8%	29			0.0	0.0			10.0	7.1			10.0	$18,607
Moorhead High School Career Academy	Public	9-12	2800 27th Ave S	Moorhead	56560	Clay County	Moorhead Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(218) 443-4957	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Moorhead Online Secondary Academy	Public, Virtual	7-12	2300 4th Ave S	Moorhead	56560	Clay County	Moorhead Area Public Schools	No	No	Yes	No	(218) 284-3337	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Moorhead High School	Public	9-12	2300 4th Ave S	Moorhead	56560	Clay County	Moorhead Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(218) 284-2300	1,937	97	19.9	40.1%	1,392 (71.9%)	198 (10.2%)	166 (8.6%)	21 (1.1%)	55 (2.8%)	1 (0.1%)	104 (5.4%)	63.4	186^th of 480 public high schools	61.3%		53.1	234^th of 476 public high schools	50.8%	48			35.0	35.0			50.1	50.1		43.0	43.0	$11,791
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Senior High	Public	9-12	513 Parke Ave S	Glyndon	56547	Clay County	Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton	No	No	No	No	(218) 477-6912	449	28	16.2	26.7%	388 (86.4%)	2 (0.4%)	31 (6.9%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.9%)	85.3	45^th of 480 public high schools	90.6%		55.5	220^th of 476 public high schools	53.8%	175			51.8	51.8			58.0	58.0		60.5	60.5	$11,049
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton ALP	Public	9-12	513 Parke Ave S	Glyndon	56547	Clay County	Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(218) 477-6804	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Hawley Secondary	Public	7-12	714 Joseph St	Hawley	56549	Clay County	Hawley Public School District	No	No	No	No	(218) 483-3555	414	26	15.8	19.8%	386 (93.2%)	1 (0.2%)	12 (2.9%)	2 (0.5%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	8 (1.9%)	94.9	11^th of 480 public high schools	97.7%		94.5	14^th of 476 public high schools	97.1%	3	63.4	52.9	60.8	59.4	61.5	63.8	79.7	67.6	40.6	59.1	49.6	$10,598
Intensive Interagency Program	Public	7-12	616 Reno St	Hawley	56549	Clay County	Lake Agassiz Education Cooperative	No	No	No	No	(218) 483-5678	14	2	6.3	78.6%	13 (92.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (7.1%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Moorhead Alternative Learning Center

Is Moorhead Alternative Learning Center a good school?

Moorhead Alternative Learning Center ranks in the bottom 3.5% of Minnesota high schools.

How many students attend Moorhead Alternative Learning Center?

In the 2022-23 school year, 179 students attended Moorhead Alternative Learning Center.

What is the racial makeup of Moorhead Alternative Learning Center?

Students at Moorhead Alternative Learning Center are 39% White, 23% Hispanic, 19% African American, 10% Two or more races, 9% American Indian.

What district is Moorhead Alternative Learning Center in?

Moorhead Area Public Schools

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Minnesota Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.