The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on School #532
School #532 is an alternative school serving kindergarten through twelfth grade in Edina, part of Intermediate School District 287. Its status as an alternative school is the central fact that shapes everything else about it. This is not a neighborhood comprehensive school; it is a specialized setting, likely designed for students who have not succeeded in a traditional school environment.
The student body is very small. Demographically, the majority of students are white, with smaller shares of Hispanic and Asian students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that economic diversity is present. The school operates under Intermediate School District 287, which is a cooperative district serving multiple member districts—this means students may come from several surrounding communities, not just Edina.
State testing data paints an unusual picture. For the most recent year, proficiency rates in math and English language arts across grades six through eight are reported at zero percent. However, this figure must be read in the context of an alternative school with a tiny enrollment. When only a handful of students take a test, a single non-proficient result can drive the rate to zero; the number carries little statistical weight. Science testing data for grades five and eight was suppressed because very few students participated. The overall proficiency index, which averages reported rates across tested subjects, places this school in the bottom quartile relative to the districts in Hennepin County. A parent should understand that these scores reflect a small, nontraditional population, not a typical schoolwide measure. The graduation rate and chronic absenteeism data were not available, likely due to the school's alternative nature and small size.
Because the school serves all grades K-12 but has very few students in each grade, it is not a place where a family would find a typical peer cohort or a broad array of extracurricular offerings. The structure is likely more individualized, with a focus on reengagement and credit recovery. The district, Intermediate School District 287, offers a program called Diploma On, a case management service that reconnects unenrolled students with education—this kind of support aligns with the alternative mission.
Edina itself is an affluent first-ring suburb of Minneapolis, known for its high home values and highly educated population. It is largely car-dependent, with a civic and commercial node around 50th & France and a strong parks and recreation system. Housing values and rents are high relative to state and national benchmarks, and the market has seen modest declines recently but remains expensive. The city is essentially built out, with slow population and household growth. For a family considering School #532, the community context is one of wealth and amenities, but the school itself serves a population that does not mirror the town's overall demographics. That gap is not unusual for an alternative school, which by design draws students who need a different path.
What kind of student does this school fit? A student who has struggled in a conventional school setting, who may be at risk of dropping out, or who needs a smaller, more flexible environment to finish their education. The school appears to operate as a last-resort or second-chance option, not as a first-choice neighborhood school. Parents should inquire directly about the school's specific programs, the typical reasons students enroll, and how it supports academic progress and graduation. The available data does not describe the school's curriculum, staffing, or specific services, so a visit and conversation with school staff would be essential for any family considering this option. The thin data is itself a signal: this is a place where numbers are not the primary measure of success.
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