Plymouth School District History
A look at key events in 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 Church1876: High school course of study begins
Three-year program marks the beginning of Plymouth High School1879: First high school class graduates
Class of 1879 was comprised of 6 young men; total district enrollment was about 200 students1883: Two-story, 4-room addition
Lower rooms were for the high school, and the upper rooms for the grammar school1890: 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 schools2018: Voters approve $31.9 million referendum
Funds upgrades at PHS, Fairview, and Parkview
2019: Plymouth High School addition completed
This addition houses a multi-purpose facility, fitness center, studio, girls locker rooms, new Community Ed & Rec office, and secure entrance. PHS also remodels and updates its science section as part of the referendum.
2020: Remaining referendum-funded upgrades completed
Fairview and Parkview both get new gymnasiums, cafeterias, and secure entrances. The PHS cafeteria and gymnasium also are upgraded, as well as the district and PHS offices.(Note: 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.)
