Prairie- Fast Facts

Founded in 1965, The Prairie School in Racine, Wisconsin, is one of the country's finest independent,child-centered, college-preparatory day schools for students age 3 through grade 12. We develop humane, tolerant, creative, well-schooled, self-confident, and environmentally responsible leaders through our rigorous academic programs that enhance individual talents and abilities. We focus on personal character with an emphasis on our "7 A's" philosophy: shaping academic, artistic, athletic, altruistic, active, accountable, and adaptable leaders who are well prepared for success in university and graduate school studies. Service to the community is reinforced at each grade level.

Our Facilities

Just off Lake Michigan, the School occupies a rambling, Prairie-style building designed by Taliesin Associates and constructed between 1965 and 2005. The total physical plant is valued at over $45 million. The architecturally renowned facilities include:
• Classrooms and modern laboratories.
• A superb library and media center.
• A 303-seat theatre and practice areas for the performing arts.
• An athletic center featuring two gymnasiums, an indoor running track, a fitness/weight training center, and a dance studio.
• Art studios including a glassblowing facility.
• Wireless network access to the Internet with more than 500 computers throughout the School.
• A dining hall and kitchen.

Student Demographics

• 99% of Prairie students live in Racine, Kenosha, and Milwaukee, Wis. counties.
• The School also has a significant representation of students from 12 foreign countries.

Total number of students- 698
Average class size- 17
Student-to-faculty ratio- 9 to 1

Enrollment by School Division
Early School- 32
Primary School (K-Grade 4)- 183
Middle School (Grades 5-8)- 212
Upper School (Grades 9-12)- 271

Teaching Staff

Our nationally recruited, regionally renowned, and dedicated faculty are exceptionally trained and passionate about teaching.
•Small class sizes and a nurturing environment ensure personal attention for each student.
•Our faculty hold advanced degrees, and we advocate continuing professional development through our ongoing faculty enrichment program.

Extra-Curricular and Leadership Activities

The School offers a variety of programs, clubs, and artistic and athletic opportunities to balance and enhance the educational experience – performing arts, service organizations, sports, and more.

Fine and Performing Arts

Prairie's acclaimed Fine and Performing Arts Department offers many electives. The curriculum includes choir, orchestra/jazz ensemble, acting, theatrical make-up, directing, technical theatre, and AP music theory. Our Fine Arts offerings include painting, glassblowing, photography, ceramics, drawing, printmaking, and design. Upper School theatrical productions have included such classics as "Man of La Mancha," "Fiddler On The Roof," "Phantom," "Grease," "Cabaret," and "Chicago." The Performing Arts program also features annual, student-directed plays.

Sports

Full-participation, no-cut options include:
•Soccer •Cross country •Basketball •Tennis • Baseball •Golf •Volleyball •Track and field

In 2005, the School opened the new Johnson Athletic Center which provides exciting fitness, training, conditioning, and athletic opportunities for our students, and allows us to better serve the Racine community's need for camps, tournaments, and league play.

The Johnson Athletic Center includes:
• A gymnasium with a floating maple floor.
• A 3-lane, 200-meter indoor running track.
• A dance studio.
• A completely outfitted fitness/weight training center with a full complement of cardio-training equipment.
• An outdoor tennis center featuring eight tennis courts.
• Four multi-purpose athletic fields.
• An athletic training room.

College Counseling Program

We offer the most comprehensive college counseling program in the area. Coordinated by a full-time director of college counseling, the program provides students and their parents with the guidance they need to ensure the best college match possible. Our recent graduates have attended such fine colleges as Cornell University, Stanford University, the University of Southern California, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, Vanderbilt University, Lawrence University, and Northwestern University - and such outstanding public universities as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Minnesota, the University of Virginia, The Ohio State University, and the University of Colorado. In addition to the many need-based financial aid packages our students receive from colleges and universities, the Class of 2009 was offered more than $2.3 million in merit-based scholarships.

Tuition (2010-11)

Early School (half day): $10,945
Early School (full day): $11,545
Kindergarten (full day): $12,045
Grades 1-5: $12,545
Grade 6: $13,045
Grades 7-12: $13,545

Financial Aid

• Students can receive aid in Kindergarten through grade 12. Financial aid resources are provided when families demonstrate and fully document need.
• The School also offers an extensive merit scholarship program (for grades 6 and up) that recognizes and celebrates academic achievement and leadership. Competitions are held annually.

Accreditations/Memberships Include:

• The Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
• The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvements (NCA)
• The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

Before- and After-School Programs

(7:15-8:20 a.m. and 3:30-6:00 p.m.)

Prairie's Early Day, Stay & Play, and Stay & Study programs provide safe, comfortable, and exciting learning/play opportunities beyond the regular school day for a minimal charge. Early Day and Stay & Play are offered for children in Early School through grade 6. An after-school study hall (Stay & Study) is also available for students in grades 5-8.

Admission Process

Admission to the School is competitive and based upon successful completion of an entrance exam, a student's academic records, personal interviews with faculty leaders, a shadow-day visit to the School, and teacher references (when age-appropriate). This process takes about two weeks, and applications are considered when all the above criteria are met.

Success on Academic Test Scores

During the last seven years, 20 of the 28 National Merit semi-finalists in Racine, Wis., graduated from The Prairie School. All 4th, 6th, and 8th grade students at Prairie taking the annual Terra Nova CTBS complete battery standardized test ranked in the top 10 to 15 percent nationally.

MIDDLE 50% RANGES FOR SAT AND ACT TESTS

2004-2009 ADVANCED PLACEMENT RESULTS

Number of Exams Administered: 501
% of scores earned, on a scale of
5 (highest) to 1 (lowest)
5- 33.3%
4- 32.3%
3- 20.2%
2-   9.6%
1-   4.6%