Public Schools

Education in Waukesha began formally in 1837 when Joel E. Bidwell donated a piece of land for what would become the Tamarack Log Schoolhouse. Built near the intersection of Randall and Madison Streets, it served Prarieville for 10 years.

It was then rebuilt with stone, and remained as the only public school in the area until the Union Grade School on Grand Avenue opened in 1855. Soon after, more and more schools opened their doors to the ever growing population of Waukesha. Union Grade School was rebuilt in 1920, at which time it became Waukesha High School. Grades 9 through 12 attended Waukesha High until 1957, when South High School was built, and some of the grades transferred there.

Since then, two more high schools have been added to Waukesha's School District: North in 1972, and West in 1992. Waukesha now boasts three high schools, three middle schools, and seventeen grade schools. There can be no doubt that, as the city continues to grow, the demand for public education will be met, as it has been for the last 160 years.