Our History
Prairie Creek was brought into being by a group of committed parents in 1982. They wanted to create a school their children would be excited to attend, one in which they would love learning. The group read books about education, took classes, and talked to many experts—and finally decided that the progressive philosophy matched the school they envisioned for their children.
In its second year, the private school moved to its current home in Castle Rock, just a few miles north of Northfield. The building had been a neighborhood school but had been closed for many years. Together, community members patched the hole in the roof, painted the classrooms, and finished the floors. The school added two new classrooms and a library in the late 1980s.
In 2002 Prairie Creek converted from a private to a public charter school. Progressive education is a rarity in public schools; it's usually available only to those who can afford tuition. By converting to a charter, Prairie Creek has been able to open its doors much more widely and become a true community school.
In 2009 the school expanded once more, this time adding three new classrooms, a gymnasium, kitchen, music room, art room, special education rooms and resources, a five-acre sports field, and a spacious plaza. (Check out a student's rendering, here, and the architect's rendering of Prairie Creek's expansion!)