Original Research by School Decision on Hermantown Alternative Learning Prg
Hermantown Alternative Learning Prg is a small alternative high school serving grades nine through twelve in Hermantown, a suburb of Duluth that has been one of the few growing communities in northern Minnesota. The school is part of Hermantown Community Schools, a district that rebranded from Hermantown Public School District in 2022 as part of a broader effort to consolidate its online presence and communications. With an enrollment that is very small, the program offers a non-traditional setting for high school students. About half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is typical for alternative programs that often serve students whose circumstances or learning needs make a conventional school setting less workable.
The student body is predominantly white, with a handful of students identifying as two or more races and a small number of American Indian or Alaska Native students. No data on students with disabilities or English learners was available in the records reviewed. The school is classified as an alternative school by the Minnesota Department of Education, which signals that it is designed for students who may need a different approach to earning a diploma, such as those who are credit-deficient, at risk of dropping out, or otherwise better served in a smaller, more flexible environment.
State testing results are reported for a single recent year and show very low proficiency in both English language arts and math. That performance is consistent with what one might expect for an alternative program whose student population often includes those who have previously struggled academically. Still, the data is limited to just one year, and no comparison to the district or county is available because the school’s results do not appear in the neighbor-comparison metrics. A parent considering this school would want to ask directly about how the program measures academic progress and what supports are in place to move students toward graduation. The four-year graduation rate was not available, which is a notable gap; because the school serves grades nine through twelve, the absence of that metric leaves a key question unanswered about how many students complete their diploma here.
Hermantown itself is a car-oriented community that blends a lower-density suburban feel in its eastern sections with more rural character to the west. The Miller Trunk Corridor, a highway commercial strip that extends from Duluth, runs through part of the city. The community has seen residential and commercial growth, and the city’s website emphasizes the balance of country living with proximity to large-city amenities. Housing values in the area are slightly above the national median and have been rising, while rents are moderate relative to incomes. The lack of a traditional downtown means the school is likely on a campus or strip rather than in a walkable center.
For a family, Hermantown Alternative Learning Prg is a specialized option within the Hermantown district. It is not a school that produces strong state test scores, and its small size means course offerings, extracurriculars, and staffing may be limited compared with the district’s main high school. What it offers is a different pathway for students who need one. A parent should expect to learn more from the school about curriculum, credit recovery options, postsecondary planning, and the social environment. The data does not paint a full picture, so direct inquiry with the program coordinator is the necessary next step.
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