You are here
History of BPS
Public education in Bloomington dates back to the 1850s when six one-room schools served this rural community’s students through eighth grade. Those who wished to continue their education after eighth grade enrolled in the Minneapolis high schools, traveling by horse-and-buggy or sleigh, or the Dan Patch train, or boarded and roomed in the city.
In May 1917, five rural school districts - Ferry Hill, Palmer, Kell, Poplar Bridge and Cates - consolidated to become Bloomington Consolidated School District No. 142. In 1918, a school for grades 1-12 was constructed on a parcel of land where the Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington currently resides.
In the years that followed, the district experienced gradual growth. By 1925 enrollment was at 300 and within 20 years had reached 700 students. They were served by one principal and 24 teachers. In the years 1945-1950, Bloomington School District No. 271 absorbed the Kimball School District and part of another to the west.
A population surge in the late 1940s impacted the school system and led to school bonds being issued to construct a new elementary school. Before it could be completed, the elementary grades went to split schedules, followed by the secondary grades in 1954. Construction of school buildings began in earnest as more bonds were issued. Enrollment reached 10,300 by the 1959-60 school year. By 1960, the district had 19 principals and 420 teachers.
Bloomington’s public school enrollment reached its peak in 1970 when the enrollment was 26,739 students. By 1990, enrollment had dipped to 11,376 students. During the late 1980s, several schools built during the population boom were sold and are now accommodating other community uses. Today, the enrollment sits at just over 10,000 students attending two early childhood centers, 10 elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools. The district also provides early childhood and adult basic education programs through the Richfield-Bloomington Community Education department.
In May 1917, five rural school districts - Ferry Hill, Palmer, Kell, Poplar Bridge and Cates - consolidated to become Bloomington Consolidated School District No. 142. In 1918, a school for grades 1-12 was constructed on a parcel of land where the Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington currently resides.
In the years that followed, the district experienced gradual growth. By 1925 enrollment was at 300 and within 20 years had reached 700 students. They were served by one principal and 24 teachers. In the years 1945-1950, Bloomington School District No. 271 absorbed the Kimball School District and part of another to the west.
A population surge in the late 1940s impacted the school system and led to school bonds being issued to construct a new elementary school. Before it could be completed, the elementary grades went to split schedules, followed by the secondary grades in 1954. Construction of school buildings began in earnest as more bonds were issued. Enrollment reached 10,300 by the 1959-60 school year. By 1960, the district had 19 principals and 420 teachers.
Bloomington’s public school enrollment reached its peak in 1970 when the enrollment was 26,739 students. By 1990, enrollment had dipped to 11,376 students. During the late 1980s, several schools built during the population boom were sold and are now accommodating other community uses. Today, the enrollment sits at just over 10,000 students attending two early childhood centers, 10 elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools. The district also provides early childhood and adult basic education programs through the Richfield-Bloomington Community Education department.
Bloomington Schools Through the Ages
| School | Opened | Closed | Historical Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington High School 10025 Penn Ave So | 1919 | 1966 | Converted to Central Administration in August 1967; sold in 1980 and was razed for the Presbyterian Homes of Bloomington |
| Cedarcrest Elementary 8900 Bloomington Ave So | 1950 | 1981 | Sold in 1982 to Bloomington Assemblies of God |
| Riverside Elementary 201 East 102nd St | 1952 | 1987 | Sold in 1988 to City of Bloomington; building razed and is now a park |
| Westwood Elementary 3801 West 108th St | 1954 | - | Currently serving students & community |
| Valley View Elementary 351 East 88th St | 1956 | - | Currently serving students & community |
| Lincoln Senior High 2601 West 88th St | 1957 | 1982 | Sold in 1984 to Control Data Corp.; Lincoln Field remains part of BPS. Facility currently houses General Dynamics, Bloomington-Richfield Community Education Offices, and Bloomington Career & College Academy |
| Humboldt Heights Elementary 1700 West 82nd St | 1958 | 1975 | Sold in 1978 to Marquette Service Corp; building razed |
| Portland Junior High 8900 Portland Ave So | 1959 | 1979 | Facility became the District Offices and Community Education in JAN 1980; Housed the BRAVO program, from 1996-99. Reopened as Valley View Middle School in 2001. |
| Creekside Elementary 9801 Penn Ave So | 1960 | 1973 | Sold in 1976 to City of Bloomington; became Creekside Community Center |
| Indian Mounds Elementary 9801 11th Ave So | 1960 | - | Currently serving students & community |
| Southwood Elementary 4901 West 112th St | 1960 | 1982 | Reopened as Southwood Center serving early childhood special education students (ECSE) |
| Washburn Elementary 8401 Xerxes Ave So | 1960 | - | Currently serving students & community |
| Park Elementary 9201 Bloomington Freeway | 1961 | 1982 | Sold in 1984 to Hoyt Construction; building was razed |
| Brookside Elementary 10150 Xerxes Ave So | 1962 | 1977 | Sold in 1977 to Bloomington Covenant Church |
| Nine Mile Elementary 2201 West 108th St | 1962 | 1982 | Sold in 1983 to Bloomington Church of God |
| Northgate Elementary 8201 Park Ave | 1962 | 1987 | Sold in 1989 and is now Lutheran High School |
| Penn Junior High 2501 West 84th St | 1962 | 1983 | Sold in 1983 to Northwestern College of Chiropractic |
| Poplar Bridge Elementary 6401 Palmer Road | 1962 | - | Currently serving students & community |
| Ridgeview Elementary | 1962 | - | Currently serving students & community |
| Hillcrest Elementary 9300 Thomas Road | 1963 | 1987 | Reopened in 1991 as Hillcrest Community School |
| River Ridge Elementary 2300 East 88th St | 1963 | 1979 | Sold in 1980 to Control Data Corp. |
| F. Wilson Pond Elementary 9600 Third Ave So | 1963 | 1979 | Reopened as Pond Family Center serving early childhood and parent education |
| Kennedy Senior High 9701 Nicollet Ave So | 1965 | - | Opened in 1965 serving Gr. 10-12; became a 9-12 school in 1979. |
| Oak Grove Elementary 1301 West 104th St | 1967 | - | Currently serving students & community |
| Olson Elementary 4501 West 102nd St | 1967 | - | Currently serving students & community |
| Olson Junior High 4551 West 102nd St | 1967 | - | Converted to Olson Middle School in 2001. Central Services (formerly Buildings & Grounds Department) relocated to site in 2001. |
| Normandale Hills Elementary 9501 Toledo Road | 1968 | - | Currently serving students & community |
| Oak Grove Junior High 1300 West 106th St | 1969 | 1987 | Reopened as Oak Grove Intermediate (Gr. 5-6); converted to Oak Grove Middle School in 2001. Educational Services Center (formerly District Offices) relocated to site in 2001. |
| Jefferson Senior High 4001 West 102nd St | 1970 | - | Opened in 1970 serving Gr. 10-12; became a 9-12 school in 1979. |
| Valley View Middle 8900 Portland Ave So | 2001 | - | Formerly Portland Junior High and District Offices. |
