- Enrollment
- 1,419
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Bismarck, ND
South Central Alternative High School
Federal NCES profile for South Central Alternative High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 49/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 380001400739
👥 S:T ratio 35
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 81
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Central Alternative High School earns 49/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 89% of North Dakota schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most North Dakota schools.
- #1 of 4
- high schools in Bismarck · Resource Index
- 49
- Resource Index · Higher
- 16.2:1
- large classes for North Dakota
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
South Central Alternative High School has class sizes larger than 89% of North Dakota schools. Computed live against every North Dakota school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Central Alternative High School ranks #1 of 4 high schools in Bismarck, ND.
School address
District: Bismarck 1 · North Dakota
NCES ID 380001400739 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+24 students YoY
South Central Alternative High School grew from 94 students in 2022-23 to 118 in 2023-24 (+25.5%).
Teacher FTE held 6.7 → 6.7 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+24 students YoY 380001400739 · Bismarck, ND High · SMALL · TRAD
97 enr · 16.2:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 49
Nearest enrollment peer: Legacy High School (1,419 students)
South Central Alternative High School grew from 94 students in 2022-23 to 118 in 2023-24 (+25.5%). Teacher FTE held 6.7 → 6.7 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · North Dakota schools → · Find another →
South Central Alternative High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Legacy High Sc
Legacy High School
1,419 students
- Century High S
Century High School
1,406 students
- Bismarck High
Bismarck High School
1,367 students
- Horizon Middle
Horizon Middle School
1,124 students
- Simle Middle S
Simle Middle School
1,053 students
- This school 97
South Central Alternative High School
97 students
What this shows South Central Alternative High School reports 97 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Central Alternative High School compares
South Central Alternative High School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs North Dakota and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs North Dakota | North Dakota avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 16.2:1 | ▲ 37% | 11.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 255% | 28.2% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 97 | top 66% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
16.2:1
Leaner classes than 36% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
97
Bigger than 10% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
100.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 255% above the North Dakota average of 28.2%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
16.2:1
students per teacher
- 37% above state mean
Top 89% in North Dakota - lower ratio than 11% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Funding equity
$14,558
per pupil, district-wide
- below North Dakota avg of $19,475
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 97 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 6 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 6.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 1 expulsion.
Student demographics
White 53.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native 23.7%
Two or More 11.3%
Hispanic or Latino 8.2%
African American 3.1%
Largest group: White at 53.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 63.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 63.6, South Central Alternative High School is more mixed than the North Dakota school average of 29.7.
Programs
AP program Not offered
District finance for Bismarck 1 reports $14,558 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Central Alternative High School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Century High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Bismarck High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Horizon Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Simle Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Central Alternative High School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,406
- Students per teacher
- 16.5:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 1,367
- Students per teacher
- 17.5:1
- Resource Index
- 30/100
- Enrollment
- 1,124
- Students per teacher
- 15:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
- Enrollment
- 1,053
- Students per teacher
- 14.4:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
Similar high schools in Bismarck
3 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Nationwide high schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~97 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Central Alternative High School
How many students attend South Central Alternative High School?
South Central Alternative High School has 97 students enrolled. It is a high school in Bismarck, ND. CCD year-over-year: 94 (2022-23) → 118 (2023-24), up 24.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Central Alternative High School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Central Alternative High School is 16.2:1, which is 37% higher than the North Dakota average of 11.8:1 and 3% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Central Alternative High School?
100.0% of students at South Central Alternative High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the North Dakota average of 28.2%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Central Alternative High School?
The largest demographic group at South Central Alternative High School is White at 53.6% of enrollment, in Bismarck, ND. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 63.6/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Central Alternative High School?
South Central Alternative High School has a Resource Investment Index of 49/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Central Alternative High School rank among high schools in Bismarck?
By Resource Investment Index, South Central Alternative High School ranks #1 of 4 high schools in Bismarck, ND. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all high schools in Bismarck on the city page.
What other schools are in Bismarck 1?
Besides South Central Alternative High School, Bismarck 1 also operates Legacy High School (1,419 students), Century High School (1,406 students), and Bismarck High School (1,367 students). See the Bismarck 1 district page for the complete list.