Original Research by School Decision on Beacon Alp Is
Beacon ALP IS is an alternative high school in Bloomington, part of the Bloomington Public School District. The school serves grades nine through twelve and is designated as an alternative school. State testing data was not available for this school, and no proficiency measures, graduation rate, or chronic absenteeism data were reported. Because the school is an alternative program, these gaps may reflect the nature of the setting rather than a lack of performance, but a parent should verify current academic outcomes directly with the school or district.
Enrollment records show a reported total of zero students across all four high school grades, with zero students in each grade level and zero students in every reported race and ethnicity category. This appears to be a data reporting issue rather than an accurate reflection of the school's student body. No data on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, students with disabilities, or English learners was reported. Parents should contact the school directly for accurate enrollment figures and demographic information.
The school is located in Bloomington, a large post-World War II housing boom suburb of Minneapolis. The city is heavily car-oriented, serviced by major freeways, and connected to Minneapolis by light rail and bus lines. Bloomington is home to the Mall of America, the largest enclosed shopping center in the United States, and has more jobs per capita than Minneapolis or Saint Paul. Major employers include the Mall of America tenants, HealthPartners, Seagate Technology, and several corporate headquarters. About a third of the city is reserved for parkland. The city lacks a traditional downtown, with civic functions dispersed and school facilities spread across the city rather than clustered. Housing values in the area are above the national median, and rents reflect a moderately expensive market relative to incomes.
The Bloomington Public School District operates several programs that may be relevant to families considering Beacon ALP IS. New Code Academy is a fully online K-12 school taught by licensed Bloomington teachers, open to any Minnesota family. The Bloomington Career and College Academy allows high school students to earn college credit from college instructors while still in high school, with open enrollment for non-resident students. The district also runs a Computer Science Immersion program in partnership with the University of Minnesota, integrating computer science into other subject areas at the elementary and middle school levels.
For a family evaluating Beacon ALP IS, the most important step is to contact the school or district directly to confirm current enrollment, academic offerings, and student outcomes. The alternative school designation suggests a program designed for students who may benefit from a nontraditional setting, but without reported testing or graduation data, parents have little to go on from publicly available sources. The broader district provides strong alternative options, including online learning and college credit programs, which may also be worth exploring.
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