Public and Private Schools

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The first educational institution in Minneapolis was started by Rev. J.D. Stevens on the shores of Lake Harriet in 1834. It was for children, including those from Cloud Man's band of Mdewakanton Dakota and from Fort Snelling. By 1849, in St. Anthony, the first private or subscription schools opened. Then in 1851-52, a school was opened on the west side of the river by Mary Schofield.

Union School, circa 1850s.
Minneapolis Collection, Postcards. Schools: Union.

Washington School, on the site of the present City Hall, was erected in 1866 after fire destroyed the previous school building. It was demolished in 1888.
Minneapolis Collection, BR0030.

As the settlers moved into the area, more educational opportunities opened up. By 1874, there were six school buildings in Minneapolis with an enrollment of 2,907 pupils and four school buildings in St. Anthony (part of Minneapolis since 1872) with an enrollment of 900 students. In 1878 it was decided by legislative act that the two community's school boards would be joined and represented by one Board of Education. This Board managed all the public schools for the city of Minneapolis.

The first high school was Central Union High, which opened in 1857 and burned down in 1863. By 1922, the Minneapolis school system had a total enrollment in elementary, junior high, and high school of more than seventy thousand. Today, a multitude of schools and curriculums are offered to the 49,445 students (enrollment figures from September 2001) in the Minneapolis Public School system.

First Central High School (circa 1890). Located at 11th Street and 3rd Avenue South.
Minneapolis Collection, M0032.

The second Central High School building was completed in 1913 and was located at 4th Avenue South between 34th Street and 35th Street.
Minneapolis Collection, Postcard. Schools: Central

MINNEAPOLIS HIGH SCHOOLS

	Central Union (also known as Union Washington)	1857-1863
	Central 3416 5th Ave South	1st permanent building 1873 2nd permanent building 1913 closed in 1982
	East Central Ave. between University Ave. S.E. and S.E. 4th Street	opened 1867 closed in 1924
	Edison 700 22 Ave. N.E.	opened 1933-
	Henry 2020 43rd Ave. North	opened 1925-
	(Miller) Vocational 1101 3rd Ave. South	opened ca. 1916 closed in 1976
	Marshall 1313 5th St. S.E.	1924-1967 merged with University High September 1968 Closed June 1982
	Marshall-University	formed by merger of Marshall and University September 1968 closed 1982
	North 1500 James Ave. North	opened 1st permanent building 1891 2nd permanent building 1973-
	Roosevelt 4029 28th Ave. South	opened in 1922-
	South 3131 19th Ave South	1st permanent building opened 1892 2nd permanent building opened 1968-
	Southwest 3414 W. 47th Street	opened 1940-
	University 15th Ave. S.E.	created in 1908 as a laboratory for the U. of M. College of Education addition completed in 1914 merged with Marshall in 1968
	Washburn 201 W. 49th Street	opened 1925-
	West 2808 Hennepin Ave.	1st permanent building opened 1909 closed 1982

North High, East High, South High, West High.
Minneapolis Collection, Postcards. Schools.

Before the turn of the century many private or parochial schools, colleges, and academies had sprung up. Some of the programs included Bennet Seminary, Augsburg Seminary, Judson Female Seminary, Minneapolis Academy, Stanley Hall, St. Margaret's Academy, Northrop Collegiate School, De La Salle Institute, Blake School, and Dunwoody Institute.

Students of Marshall High School dressed as hobos as part of field day activities in 1940.
Minneapolis Collection, Uncat Photo. Schools: Marshall

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