The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Oshawa Learning Academy
Oshawa Learning Academy in Saint Peter, Minnesota, is an alternative school serving grades four through twelve. As an alternative school, it is designed for students whose needs are not fully met in a traditional classroom setting. The school is part of the St. Peter Public School District.
The student body is small, which is typical for a school of this type. The enrollment draws from a racially diverse mix relative to the surrounding area, with White students making up the majority and smaller shares of students who are two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, or Hispanic. A substantial majority of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the records reviewed.
State testing data came with important context. In math, the proficiency rate for students in grades six, seven, and eight was reported as zero. In English language arts, the school recorded a proficiency rate well below typical levels for the state. Science test results for grade eight were suppressed by the state, likely due to the very small number of students tested, though all of those students did take the test. The overall proficiency index for the school, averaging results across tested subjects and grades, placed it in the bottom quartile among the districts in Nicollet County. A parent should understand that these numbers reflect a school that works with a population that often enters below grade level, and that the school's mission is not necessarily to match traditional school benchmarks.
Oshawa Learning Academy sits in Saint Peter, the Nicollet County seat. The city is small, situated in the Minnesota River valley, and has a character shaped by its residential neighborhoods, the presence of Gustavus Adolphus College, and institutional employers like the Minnesota Security Hospital and River's Edge Hospital. The college population affects the community's age profile. Housing values in the area are somewhat below the state benchmark and close to the national benchmark. The city has seen modest population growth in recent years. The downtown grid includes streets named after New York City streets, and major routes are auto-oriented outside the core. No information on walkability scores or public transit details was found in the reviewed materials.
The parent district, St. Peter Public School District, was searched for recent changes such as curriculum shifts, referendums, or property-tax changes that would matter to a family. No evidence of any such lasting changes in the recent period was found. Families should check directly with the district for any current initiatives or policy updates.
For a family considering Oshawa Learning Academy, the key takeaway is that this is a small alternative program, not a comprehensive traditional school. It does not offer Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education pathways, or typical extracurriculars in the way a large high school would. The evidence shows that students arrive with significant academic challenges, and test results are very low by state standards. A parent whose child is struggling in a conventional setting and needs a more flexible, individualized approach may find this environment appropriate, but they should have a clear conversation with the school about its specific academic offerings, support services, and what the daily experience looks like for students working to get back on track. The limited data available means that families should also verify directly with the school any details about staffing ratios, special education services, and post-graduation pathways.
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