Plymouth School District History

1846: First log cabin school in the district

Located at Winooski (see photo)

1847: First school opens in the City of Plymouth

Located on the east side of North Milwaukee Street, about 100 feet south of Forest Avenue

1849: New one-room schoolhouse opens

Located on southwest corner of Main and Smith; also serves as the community center until 1867

1867: New Union School opens

Wooden, 4-room building located at Main and Smith, west of the Lutheran Church

1876: High school course of study begins

Three-year program marks the beginning of Plymouth High School

1879: First high school class graduates

Class of 1879 was comprised of 6 young men; total district enrollment was about 200 students

1883: Two-story, 4-room addition

Lower rooms were for the high school, and the upper rooms for the grammar school

1890: Fourth year added to high school course of study

1893: New two-story school opens

Constructed of cream city brick for $22,000

1904: Separate high school opens

Two-story brick building constructed for $26,000 just to the north, facing Elizabeth Street. About 165 of the district's 650 students are in high school.

1933: New junior/senior high school opens

This building (now Riverview Middle School) cost $265,000 and initially served students in grades 7-12; the 1893 & 1904 buildings are used for grades K-6.

1957: Fairview and Parkview open

These sister schools serve K-8 students

1966: Plymouth Comprehensive High School opens

This building continues to serve grades 9-12. The former high school becomes Riverview Intermediate School, serving grades 6-8.

1991: Horizon Elementary School opens

2004: Voters approve $18.3 million referendum

Funds build a new gymnasium and cafeteria at Riverview, plus maintenance work and renovations at other schools

2018: Voters approve $31.9 million referendum

Funds upgrades at PHS, Fairview, and Parkview

2019: Plymouth High School addition completed

Houses a multi-purpose facility, fitness center, studio, girls locker rooms, and new Community Ed & Rec office. PHS also remodels and updates its science section.

2020: Fairview and Parkview upgrades completed

New gymnasiums, cafeterias, and secure entrances at both schools. The PHS cafeteria and gymnasium also are upgraded, as well as the district and PHS offices.
Days after Fairview students first used the gym and cafeteria, the schools were shut down for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year due to the Covid-19 global pandemic.

2022: Finke Field upgraded to turf

PHS project made possible thanks to private contributions in exchange for advertising