The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Winona Area Learning Center
Winona Area Learning Center is an alternative school within the Winona Area Public School District, serving students in grades five through twelve. As an alternative school, it is designed for students who may benefit from a setting different from a traditional comprehensive school, often with smaller class sizes and more individualized support. The school is not a charter school.
The school’s enrollment is predominantly at the high school level, with the largest concentration in the senior grade. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with significant economic need. The student body is mostly white, with smaller shares of Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students.
State testing data for this school shows very low proficiency in both math and reading for the grades that were tested. In math, the reported proficiency rate sits at zero, and in reading it is below one in five students. The comparison to other districts in Winona County places the school’s overall proficiency in the bottom quartile. Science testing data was suppressed due to a small number of test-takers, though participation was reported. A parent may want to discuss these results with the school to understand the context of student performance, particularly given that alternative schools often serve a population that has struggled academically in mainstream settings.
The school’s graduation rate was not available in the data provided. For a school that serves grades nine through twelve, this is an important metric a family would want to clarify with the district.
The school is part of the Winona Area Public School District, which has recently made notable operational changes. The district closed Goodview Elementary School, citing declining enrollment and budget pressures, with students reassigned to other elementary buildings. Voters also approved the renewal of two operating levies in a recent election, providing ongoing revenue for district programming.
The community context is the city of Winona, which sits on the Mississippi River in bluff country and serves as the county seat. Winona is a mix of residential, commercial, industrial, and educational uses, hosting two universities and a range of corporate headquarters and manufacturers. The downtown area is compact and walkable, situated on a sand bar between the river and Lake Winona, with civic amenities such as parks, a history center, and a summer Shakespeare festival. Housing values and rents in the area are below national benchmarks, and the national mortgage rate context suggests a typical mortgage payment in the area is lower than the national median rent, though local rent-to-income data indicates rent is a moderate share of household income.
For a parent considering Winona Area Learning Center, the key takeaway is that this is a small alternative school that serves a high-need population. The academic performance on state tests is low, which is common for alternative schools that serve students who have not thrived in traditional settings. The school’s structure and mission likely prioritize credit recovery, flexible scheduling, and wraparound support over conventional test scores. A family would want to learn directly from the school about its graduation track record, postsecondary outcomes, and the specific programs and supports it offers to help students get back on track.
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