Southern Plains Education Coop.

The Southern Plains Education Coop. district in Minnesota operates three schools: one elementary school, one high school, and one alternative school. While the district as a whole appears to be struggling, with all three schools ranking very low in the state, the Southern Plains Bridges alternative school stands out as the highest performer, with better test scores and a more favorable student-teacher ratio compared to the other schools.

The Southern Plains Area Learning Center high school is the district's weakest performer, with a very low statewide ranking, 0% proficiency in core subjects, a high dropout rate, and a low graduation rate. In contrast, the Southern Plains Education Coop. elementary school and the Southern Plains Bridges alternative school both have smaller student populations and lower student-teacher ratios, which may contribute to their relatively better performance.

Across the district, the high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch suggests that the schools serve a population with significant economic challenges. The racial demographics of the schools also vary, with the Southern Plains Area Learning Center having a more diverse student population compared to the other two schools. Overall, the data highlights the need for the Southern Plains Education Coop. district to closely examine the performance and needs of its schools and implement targeted strategies to improve student outcomes and support the diverse needs of its student population.