Our History
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Timeline Key
Milestones
Leadership
Building Expansion
Academic Milestone
1960
Opening Day
Rarely is the road from dream to reality smooth. Any entrepreneur or artist, any doctor or teacher can tell you – the path to accomplishment can be rutted and zigzagging, often characterized by resilience and determination.
The story of Prairie’s very first opening day is no different.
On September 13th, 1965, Prairie opened its doors to the first 87 Hawks in school history.
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Jack Mitchell appointed as First Headmaster
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Samuel C. Johnson appointed as First Board Chair
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1969
Original Upper School Opened
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Dining Room Added
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Art Center & Studio Added
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1970
H.F. Johnson Fieldhouse Added
First Commencement
1971
First Prairie Auction
Prairie joined Independent School Association of Central States (ISACS) and Accreditation
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1971
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
1995
Johnson Athletic Center Added
Tennis Courts Renovated
Fieldhouse Renovated
2000
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
2020
2021
Leipold Johnson Early Childhood Center Added
2024
Renovated Conference Room Dedicated to Kevin Pearson