In its inaugural 1965-1966 school year, Eden Prairie's Prairie View Elementary School had about 320 students. One-third of the school lived on farms. The 14 teachers didn't include any art, music, gym or special education teachers.
Today, the school now opens its doors to approximately 685 students, and includes about 50 teachers and a total of nearly 100 employees. It turns 50 this school year and the school and its PTO are hosting a birthday party later this month.
The bash is May 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the school's playground area on the west side of the building. Current and former students and their families can attend. The party features performances from the high school choir and the Prairie View band.
The school houses kindergarten through sixth grade, and includes school choir, band and orchestra options for fifth-graders. There's also an edible garden structure next to the playground in a collaboration with the city of Eden Prairie, according to the school's website.
The book Eden Prairie: A Brief History by Marie Wittenberg mentions that Prairie View Elementary opened in January 1965. On the school's website, the welcome note reads: "When our school was built in 1965, we really could view the prairie! Now, we are nestled into the neighborhood that has grown up around us."
