Dakota Ridge School aims to provide an alternative educational environment working with special needs students, families and the community. The school is affiliated with the Independent School District 196 and serves students in grades kindergarten through 12. Its educational program includes core academic areas, physical education, horticulture, industrial technology, social skills and transition education. Its students are required to meet the ISD 196 graduation requirements, which include earning more than 60 trimester credits and passing the reading, math and writing basic standards tests. Dakota Ridge School has two elementary classrooms, five middle school classrooms and 10 high school classrooms. In addition to core subject teachers, Dakota Ridge's staff also includes physical education teachers, a social worker, psychologist, speech therapist and technical support person. Dakota Ridge School is located in Apple Valley, Minn.