The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Cooperative Area Learning Prg.
The Cooperative Area Learning Program is an alternative school within the Rosemount–Apple Valley–Eagan district, serving grades five through twelve from a location in Apple Valley. Its classification as an alternative school signals that it is designed for students who have not found success in a traditional classroom setting, often offering smaller class sizes, flexible pacing, and stronger advisory supports. With an enrollment of just a handful of students, this is a highly specialized program, not a comprehensive school that a typical family would attend by default. The school's very small size means close adult relationships are possible, and the program likely tailors instruction to individual needs.
State testing data is available only for the eighth grade, and in both math and English language arts the reported proficiency rate was zero percent. For science, the result was suppressed to protect student privacy because the number of test takers was extremely small. These figures are extremely low by any standard, but they must be understood in context: this is a program that accepts students who have often struggled academically elsewhere. The cohort tested in a given year may be just one or two students, so a single student's performance drives the entire result. A parent considering this school should ask the program directly about its academic benchmarks, student growth measures, and how it prepares students for the next step after leaving. The school did not report a graduation rate, and with only one student in grade eleven and none in grade twelve at the time of data collection, it may serve many students who either graduate from a different program or transition out before completing a diploma here.
The student body is small and predominantly Black, with a small share of White students. The school did not report the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, nor the share with an Individualized Education Program or English learner status. Given the mission of an alternative program, it is reasonable to expect that many students come with learning differences or other factors that make a traditional school a poor fit. Families should confirm directly what support services are available.
The broader community is Apple Valley, a suburban city in Dakota County that grew rapidly from a farming township starting in the mid-twentieth century and has since matured into a primarily residential suburb with commercial corridors and a major employer in the school district itself. The city's population has plateaued in recent years, and the housing market reflects a stable suburb with home values roughly in line with state averages and rents that are somewhat higher than the national typical. For a family looking to rent or buy, Apple Valley is a mid-priced Twin Cities suburb with the standard suburban amenities of big-box retail, commuter bus service to Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and the Minnesota Zoo as a regional anchor.
The district in which this school sits has made several changes that affect all families. It opened a new elementary school in Rosemount, launched a full-time virtual school option called 196Online, and passed an operating referendum that generates a substantial share of the district's general fund from local property taxes. These three changes together mean the district is expanding capacity, offering a remote learning path, and relying heavily on local tax dollars to fund its operations.
The Cooperative Area Learning Program is not a typical school that a parent would choose based on test scores or broad program offerings. It is a targeted alternative placement for students who need a different approach, often because they have struggled with attendance, behavior, or academics in a comprehensive school setting. The academic outcomes reflected in state testing are very low, but that is the population the program serves. Any family considering this school should visit, talk to staff about how they measure student progress and plan for postsecondary transitions, and understand what the program can offer that a traditional school cannot. The housing and community context of Apple Valley is that of a stable, car-dependent suburb with typical costs for the region.
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