Our History
Milestones
Leadership
Building Expansion
Academic Milestone
1960
1965
Opening Day
Samuel C. Johnson appointed as First Board Chair
Jack Mitchell appointed as First Headmaster
1969
Original Upper School Opened
Dining Room Added
Art Center & Studio Added
1970
H.F. Johnson Fieldhouse Added
First Commencement
1971
First Prairie Auction
Prairie joined Independent School Association of Central States (ISACS) and Accreditation
1972
Upper School adds Interim Program
1973
School Fire
1978
Anthony Fruhauf appointed Second Headmaster
1980
Dedication of Jack Mitchell Theatre
1983
Imogene P. Johnson Appointed Board Chair
1984
James Van Hoven appointed Third Headmaster
1986
Advanced Placement (AP) Curriculum Added
1988
David Drewek Glassblowing Studio Added
1990
Prairie Auction becomes Prairie Fanfare
Prairie's 25th Anniversary
1993
Fieldhouse classroom, weight room, and wrestling area added
Wm. Mark H Murphy appointed Fourth Headmaster
1994
Outdoor Education/Leadership Program Started
1995
Samuel C. Johnson Upper School Added
1998
“Premiere” Gala Auction Begin
2000
2005
Addition of the Johnson Athletic Center
Renovation of H.F. Johnson Field House
Addition of the Tennis Courts
2010
2014
Nathaniel W. Coffman, Ed.D. appointed Fifth Head of School
Addition of Ruud Soccer Complex
Science Classrooms Renovated
2015
Prairie's 50th Anniversary
2018
Celebration of Life: Imogene Powers Johnson (1930-2018)
2019
Prairie Recognized as Milwaukee Business Journal Best Place to work 2019
Prairie Ranked #1 Private School in Wisconsin on Niche.com
2020
Prairie One of the Few Schools to Return Full Day during the Pandemic
2021
Leipold Johnson Early Childhood Center Added
2024
Renovated Conference Room Dedicated to Kevin Pearson
1960
1965
Opening Day
Samuel C. Johnson appointed as First Board Chair
Jack Mitchell appointed as First Headmaster
1969
Original Upper School Opened
Dining Room Added
Art Center & Studio Added
1970
H.F. Johnson Fieldhouse Added
First Commencement
1971
First Prairie Auction
Prairie joined Independent School Association of Central States (ISACS) and Accreditation
1972
Upper School adds Interim Program
1973
School Fire
1978
Anthony Fruhauf appointed Second Headmaster
1980
Dedication of Jack Mitchell Theatre
1983
Imogene P. Johnson Appointed Board Chair
1984
James Van Hoven appointed Third Headmaster
1986
Advanced Placement (AP) Curriculum Added
1988
David Drewek Glassblowing Studio Added
1990
Prairie Auction becomes Prairie Fanfare
Prairie's 25th Anniversary
1993
Fieldhouse classroom, weight room, and wrestling area added
Wm. Mark H Murphy appointed Fourth Headmaster
1994
Outdoor Education/Leadership Program Started
1995
Samuel C. Johnson Upper School Added
1998
“Premiere” Gala Auction Begin
2000
2005
Addition of the Johnson Athletic Center
Renovation of H.F. Johnson Field House
Addition of the Tennis Courts
2010
2014
Nathaniel W. Coffman, Ed.D. appointed Fifth Head of School
Addition of Ruud Soccer Complex
Science Classrooms Renovated
2015
Prairie's 50th Anniversary
2018
Celebration of Life: Imogene Powers Johnson (1930-2018)
2019
Prairie Recognized as Milwaukee Business Journal Best Place to work 2019
Prairie Ranked #1 Private School in Wisconsin on Niche.com
2020
Prairie One of the Few Schools to Return Full Day during the Pandemic
2021
Leipold Johnson Early Childhood Center Added
2024
Renovated Conference Room Dedicated to Kevin Pearson