Pine River-Backus ALP

Pine River-Backus ALP is a small public high school serving grades 9-12 in Pine River, Minnesota, with just 49 students enrolled. Unfortunately, this alternative learning program has struggled academically, consistently ranking in the bottom 20% of Minnesota high schools with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The school faces significant challenges, including high poverty rates, with 27-71% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, as well as low graduation rates ranging from 28-59% over the past few years, much lower than the 84% graduation rate at nearby Pine River-Backus High School. Additionally, Pine River-Backus ALP has experienced high dropout rates, in contrast to the 0% dropout rate at Pine River-Backus High School. Academically, the school performs significantly below state and district averages on standardized tests like the MCA-III Math and Science.

When compared to other nearby schools like Pequot Lakes Senior High, Pine River-Backus ALP appears to be struggling more, suggesting the students may face unique challenges or barriers to success. While the reasons for the school's poor performance are complex, the high poverty rates and small size of the alternative program may be contributing factors. The Pine River-Backus School District has an opportunity to identify and address the specific needs of this student population to help improve academic achievement, graduation rates, and overall student success.