Simley High School is a public high school in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, United States. The school opened in 1960 with a graduating class of 19 students. The school, in 2022, has approximately 1,200 students enrolled in grades 9–12. Gerald Sakala is the principal.
Simley Alternative Program serves 25 students in grades 9-12.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is <50% (which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 45%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 50-59% (which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 74%).
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is equal to the Minnesota state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Minnesota state average of 39% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Alternative school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 25 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 68%
- Graduation Rate: ≥80% (Top 50% in MN)
- Math Proficiency: <50% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 50-59%
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Simley Alternative Program ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Minnesota for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Community Size
School Overview
Simley Alternative Program's student population of 25 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 2 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
25 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
2 teachers
Year Founded
1960
Colors
White, Scarlet, Columbia blue
School Rankings
The diversity score of Simley Alternative Program is 0.71, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
45%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(10-11)50-59%
74%
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
2%
Asian
8%
7%
Hispanic
40%
12%
Black
16%
12%
White
32%
61%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥80%
84%
Eligible for Free Lunch
68%
36%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
20%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MN Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
<50% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 45% MN state average), while 50-59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 74% MN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Simley Alternative Program?
The graduation rate of Simley Alternative Program is 80%, which is lower than the Minnesota state average of 84%.
How many students attend Simley Alternative Program?
25 students attend Simley Alternative Program.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
40% of Simley Alternative Program students are Hispanic, 32% of students are White, 16% of students are Black, 8% of students are Asian, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Simley Alternative Program?
Simley Alternative Program has a student ration of 13:1, which is equal to the Minnesota state average of 13:1.
What grades does Simley Alternative Program offer ?
Simley Alternative Program offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Simley Alternative Program part of?
Simley Alternative Program is part of Inver Grove Heights Schools School District.
School Reviews
Review Simley Alternative Program. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.