The Prairie School history

Students from Walford started attending College Community Schools in the fall of 1966.

September 15, 1967, the football field was dedicated and officially named the “John W. Wall Field” in recognition of Prairie High School graduate, John Wall, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War.

The Picture Lady Program, started in 1968-69, continued with volunteers giving illustrated talks in the classrooms about art and artists.

April 1969, girl’s golf, tennis and gymnastics programs were added to the high schools programs.A bond issue passed on November 18th to building a new elementary – Prairie View.

In 1970, Miss Donna Knoell taught a vocational arts pilot program in her 5th grade room.

During the spring of 1972, the school board authorized the addition of a high school girls basketball program and the initiation of an auto mechanics program.Prairie View Elementary opened.A bus loading area was built.Schools at Walford, Ely, Shueyville and Ely were closed.

In October 1973, the school board and Kirkwood Community College school board reached an agreement in which approved PHS students could attend certain KCC classes.

On March 4, 1974, there was a significant fire in the high school building with damage exceeding $100,000.

In 1976, the Heritage Room opened to the public, as a part of Prairie’s Curriculum Fair.

In August 1977, the CCS District gave the old College Township Hall to Usher’s Ferry.

The Prairie School Foundation, established in 1981, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enriching the lives of all College Community School District students and making a positive difference in their education.

Michael Burke of The Journal Times described her as "one of the Racine community’s major benefactors". Samuel Curtis Johnson served as the school's Chairman of the Board until 1983, when he was named Founding Chairman Emeritus, a position he held until his death.

After the 1990 fire, members of PTA declared a history project should be taken on, since the new building would offer no visual representation of Prairie’s rich history.

John Speer is hired as the District Superintendent to begin the 2012-13 school year.

On April 7, 2015, a $49.5 million bond issue failed by 58 votes.

On February 2, 2016, a $49.5 million bond issue passed with a 68% of yes votes.

It was co-founded by Imogene "Gene" Powers Johnson (died March 3, 2018), wife of Samuel Curtis Johnson Jr.; and Willie Hilpert, wife of Frank Hilpert.

On March 3, 2020, a $54 million bond issue passed with an 85% of yes votes.