Original Research by School Decision on Options at Edina High School
Options at Edina High School is an alternative high school serving grades nine through twelve within the Edina Public School District. Because it is an alternative school, the standard measures used to evaluate most high schools, such as state assessment proficiency rates and graduation rates, are not applicable here, and the school does not report results for these metrics. This is characteristic of many alternative settings, which serve specific student populations and often operate under different accountability frameworks.
The school is small, with a total enrollment that aligns with its alternative mission. The student body is notably diverse for a school in Edina, a community that is in many respects affluent and highly educated. Black students make up the largest single group, followed by Hispanic students and white students, each representing a substantial share of enrollment. Students identifying as two or more races also form a notable presence. A clear majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that is far higher than the district average and that underscores the school's role as a resource for students facing economic disadvantage.
Edina itself is a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis, a largely built-out community with a high median home value and a well-educated adult population. The residential character is suburban and car-dependent, with commercial nodes like the 50th & France district and an extensive park and recreation system serving as civic anchors. The housing market is expensive, reflecting the broader desirability of the area. This economic context matters because Options at Edina High School, with its high proportion of students from lower-income households, serves a population that contrasts markedly with the district's overall demographic profile.
The district has been navigating a period of enrollment decline and budget reductions. For the 2024-25 school year, the district approved a significant sum in budget cuts driven by the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds and a steady drop in student numbers over the past decade. These cuts have affected staffing across multiple schools. At the same time, the district extended the elementary school day and launched the Edina Virtual Pathway, a full-time online high school program. For a family considering Options, the district's financial pressures may influence the resources and course offerings available at the school, though the specific impact on this alternative program was not detailed in the available materials.
Because Options at Edina High School is an alternative school, its purpose is not to mirror the comprehensive academic offerings of Edina High School. A parent considering the school should inquire directly about the academic pathways, credit recovery options, and support services the school provides, as well as the specific circumstances under which students are enrolled. The school's small size and diverse, low-income student body suggest an environment that is likely to be more personalized and intensive in its support than the district's larger comprehensive high school. Families would want to understand the school's specific mission, its approach to instruction, and the kinds of students it is designed to serve.
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