The Prairie School

4050 Lighthouse Drive Racine, WI 53402
www.prairieschool.com

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked WI School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 638 students
  • Acceptance rate: 98%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: Mar. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
The Prairie School Photo #1 - Learning and growing. It's at the heart of everything we do. This is where your child will learn to create, collaborate, and communicate. Where they will become equipped with the tools to think, reason, write, and question. This is where your child will take ownership of their dreams while chasing down their passions. This is Prairie.
The Prairie School Photo #2 - At The Prairie School, every child becomes his or her best self. Maybe you're three. Maybe you're fifteen. Do you see a planet filled with possibility? Do you have a desire to ask questions and make discoveries? Are you driven to make the most of all life has to offer? This is our mission.
The Prairie School Photo #3 - Everyone's journey is different, but by taking ownership of their individual experiences, Prairie students begin dreaming big while designing their futures. We want our students to love life and achieve greatness. We want them dreaming, doing, flourishing.
The Prairie School Photo #4 - Scholars possess a love of learning. A constant need to know more, how, why. By equipping students with the tools to think, write, reason, create, and question, Prairie ensures that seniors are not only prepared to produce, but sought after by the best schools in the nation.
The Prairie School Photo #5 - Performing and Visual Arts remain vital components of a Prairie education. From age three on students are singing, acting, drawing and creating. By Middle School and Upper School they are ready to take the stage or exhibit pieces at local galleries.
The Prairie School Photo #6 - Coming together as a group to lift that trophy is the goal of every team, but at Prairie, we want our athletes to achieve other things as well: a healthy lifestyle, the satisfaction that comes with giving your all, selflessness. These are attributes instilled from earliest ages on.
The Prairie School Photo #7 - Prairie students are active and engaged in the world around them. They are eager to make their school and community better places. Whether it's participating in a day of service, spearheading an iPods for Alzheimer's initiative, or engaging in the local political process, Prairie is growing leaders.

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked WI School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 638 students
  • Acceptance rate: 98%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: Mar. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Rankings

The Prairie School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Wisconsin for:

Category
Attribute
Student Body
Sports offered

School Facts

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
Students By Grade
Year Founded
1965
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
638 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
14%
State avg.: 35%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers
81 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
National avg.: 11:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
40%
Average Class Size
16 students
Average ACT score
27
(Out of 36)
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Uniforms in Primary and Middle School; Upper School Dress Code
Number of AP Courses
15 courses
Advanced Courses
AP BiologyAP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BCAP Chemistry
AP ChineseAP Comparative Government and Politics
AP EnglishAP Environmental Science
AP FrenchAP Music Theory
AP PhysicsAP Spanish
AP StatisticsAP U.S. History
AP World History

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline
Mar. 1 / rolling
Tuition Notes
Tuition costs vary by grade level.
Summer Program Cost Notes
Costs vary per Summer Program.
Acceptance Rate
98%
National avg.: 82%
Admissions Director
Shay Borzynski
Admissions Associate
Bree Mahone
Application URL

Sports

Total Sports Offered
10 sports
School Mascot
Hawks

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
36 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Art ClubBattle of the Books
Chess ClubForensics
French ClubHonor Committee
Lego LeagueLiterary Magazine
Makers ClubMath Club
Model OASModel UN
Needlepoint ClubRocket Science
School NewspaperScience Olympiad
Service ClubSki Club
Spanish ClubStudent Advisory Board
Student GovernmentSustainability Committee
WildernessWriting Club
Yoga Club - Primary school


Arts and Music Programs:
BandChoir
Fine Arts - PaintingGlassblowing
Orchestra/Jazz EnsemblePhotography
TechnicalTheatre Arts - Acting


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Basketball Skills - Primary schoolSoccer Skills - Primary school
Volleyball Skills - Primary school

School Notes

  • What does it mean to be part of Prairie? It means learning and thriving in a community without preconceived notions of who you ought to be, but has great expectations of what you can do.
  • We are an aspirational school for aspirational families, where your student is known, valued, supported, & challenged.
  • The Prairie School is a child-centered, college-preparatory day school whose mission is to educate our children; develop their individual talents, interests, and abilities; and affirm their dignity and self-worth. We foster academic excellence, leadership and creativity, emphasizing individual success while also recognizing the importance of service to the community. We help young people develop their character: to grow as humane, tolerant, responsible, creative, well-schooled, and self-confident lifelong learners. We give students opportunities to succeed and experiences to help them grow - personally and academically.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Jack Borzynski '26 - National Medalist in Swim -
    • Nathan Breit '26 - State Competitor in Swim -
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate of The Prairie School?
The acceptance rate of The Prairie School is 98%, which is higher than the national average of 90%.
Who are famous alumni from The Prairie School?
The Prairie School famous alumni include: Jack Borzynski '26 - National Medalist in Swim and Nathan Breit '26 - State Competitor in Swim.
Does The Prairie School offer a summer program?
Yes, The Prairie School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does The Prairie School offer?
The Prairie School offers 10 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Volleyball. The Prairie School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Wisconsin for most sports offered.
What is The Prairie School's ranking?
The Prairie School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Wisconsin for: Highest average ACT score, Largest student body, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for The Prairie School?
The application deadline for The Prairie School is Mar. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Mar. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (3 reviews)
5  
I like the little things at Prairie. It is and always has been about the kids. I like when the little wee wogs knock on the studio window to see what is new. It is always fun and informative when I talk to them about what I'm up to. In return, they share their opinions about my work, and I couldn't be more appreciative. --Artist in Residence
- Posted by
5  
I`m a junior this year and I`ve attended this school ever since I was five, starting all the way back in kindergarten with Mrs. Steffenson. Even though I`m one year off of being a true Prairie "lifer," I have treated this place as a second home; whether I`m recollecting childhood memories as I walk through the circular hallway surrounding the Giving Garden or eating and laughing in the dining room, Prairie has brought a sense of comfort, friendliness, and an unrivalled nurturing air for growth.
- Posted by
5  
Prairie is not simply a school, but a community that supports every student and lifts up unparalleled academics as well as athletics, arts, leadership, and more.
- Posted by

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Racine, WI is $12,989 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Racine, WI is 91% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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