At a glance
Reported students
97
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
6.7
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
14.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
North Dakota high enrollment
48th percentile
Compared with 180 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
390
South Central Alternative High School: 97 reported students.
State peer staffing position
88th percentile
14.5:1 reported; state peer median 10.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 95
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7.3
- Student–teacher ratio
- 13:1
What the reported data says about South Central Alternative High School
South Central Alternative High School is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Bismarck. It is one of 29 current school records connected to Bismarck 1. NCES reports 97 students for 2024–25.
Among 180 high schools in North Dakota with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 102 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 48th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 14.5:1, above the North Dakota median of 10.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (53.6%) and American Indian or Alaska Native (23.7%). English learners represent 3.2% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 17.9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking South Central Alternative High School
- 1How do the reported 14.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 6.7 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 3.2%
- Students with disabilities
- 17.9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 99%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.1
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White53.6%
- Hispanic8.2%
- Black3.1%
- Asian0%
- American Indian / Alaska Native23.7%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial11.3%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
No students enrolled reported
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
Computer science
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Bismarck 1
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Bismarck High Virtual Academy
High · Grades 09–12
0 reported students
Bismarck High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,367 reported students
Century High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,406 reported students
Legacy High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,419 reported students
Highland Acres Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
103 reported students
Roosevelt Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
113 reported students
Public schools near South Central Alternative High School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck High Virtual Academy High · Bismarck 1 | 09–12 | 0 | 0.9 mi |
| Bismarck High School High · Bismarck 1 | 09–12 | 1,367 | 1.2 mi |
| Century High School High · Bismarck 1 | 09–12 | 1,406 | 2.8 mi |
| Legacy High School High · Bismarck 1 | 09–12 | 1,419 | 4.3 mi |
| Marmot School 6-12 High · Marmot Schools | 06–12 | 20 | 5.4 mi |
| Mandan Virtual High School High · Mandan 1 | 09–12 | 49 | 5.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about South Central Alternative High School
What grades does South Central Alternative High School serve?
South Central Alternative High School reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Bismarck 1.
How many students attend South Central Alternative High School?
South Central Alternative High School reported 97 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 48th percentile among 180 North Dakota high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 95 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at South Central Alternative High School?
The calculated ratio is 14.5:1, based on 97 students and 6.7 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The North Dakota median for the same school level is 10.1:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is South Central Alternative High School a public, charter, or magnet school?
South Central Alternative High School is a public school. Enrollment is generally based on Bismarck 1 attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of South Central Alternative High School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
99% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is South Central Alternative High School in?
South Central Alternative High School is part of Bismarck 1, based in Bismarck, ND, which operates 29 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near South Central Alternative High School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Bismarck High Virtual Academy (0.9 mi), Bismarck High School (1.2 mi), Century High School (2.8 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.