Unique Offerings

Music, Art, Theatre, and Communications/ Technical Theatre

performing artsIn grades six through eight, Prairie’s Performing and Fine Arts programs help students gain a wider appreciation of the arts and broaden their self-expression. Aspiring performing artists play instruments, sing in choirs, and act in theatrical productions in Prairie’s performing arts theatre. In media literacy, students learn about color and its impact on theatrical production.  The technical theatre class includes set production where scenery is created, and sound and lighting techniques are learned and utilized in a full musical production.

Fine Arts courses develop skills in drawing, painting, sculpting, papermaking, and working with clay. Young artists in grades seven and eight may also take glassblowing – Prairie is one of the only schools in the U.S. that teaches this medium to Middle School students. You can see the Music, Art, and Theatre course options and sign up form here.

Special Activities

Integrated, cross-curricular opportunities and off-campus experiences are important to the learning process. In grades five and six, our students learn about self-reliance and cooperation during the annual Environmental and Outdoor Education Program. Students in grades seven and eight take part in educational trips that take them to St. Louis, Mo and Washington D.C.

Physicality

Research shows active children perform better academically, so Middle School students participate in recess every single day, as well as taking a physical education class five out of every six days.

Community Service

Emily‘s Day is a day devoted to the memory of the vibrant life of Emily Maki, a TPS student who passed away while in the Middle School. In honor of Emily, the Middle School introduced a Speakers and Service Series during the 2019-20 school year, to extend learning outside of the classroom to make connections with passionate leaders in a variety of academic areas.

Advisory Program

Prairie has a comprehensive advisor/advocacy program to help guide our students’ growth. Advisors meet with their students daily to discuss academic performance and social issues, and set personal goals. Advisors also maintain regular contact with parents to ensure the “communication triangle” is complete.

Prairie Leadership Society

The Prairie Leadership Society is a selective program for students who are dedicated to positively representing Prairie. The Society is comprised of 7th-12th Grade students who are in academic good standing, active members of the student body, and exhibit enthusiasm for being a Prairie Hawk.  Election to the Society is based upon application, faculty recommendation, and a brief interview. Click here to learn more.

Co-Curricular Activities (Sports & Clubs)

Starting in 6th Grade, Middle School students may choose to participate in a variety of extracurricular clubs, as well as both intramural and interscholastic sports. While the athletic competition is intense, a school-wide no-cut policy encourages participation and camaraderie as student-athletes begin learning and focusing on the finer points of their favorite sports.

Club Information:

Goal: To provide a space for students to share ideas, explore new media, connect with the local art community, and be inspired by their peers.

Who Can Join? All MS students

Where: Lower Art Room

Leaders: Mrs. Cobb & Mrs. Schmitz

Goal: Through chess, students learn disciplined thinking and benefit from the important life skills that chess teaches: problem-solving, decision-making, coping, and patience. Chess enhances educational learning through new vocabulary, basic geometry, sportsmanship, and persistence.

Who Can Join? Students in Grades 6-8

Where: M-21

Leader: Mr. Oscarson

Where: M-6

Leader: Mrs. Christensen

Goal: Student-directed explorations of history. Students pick a topic, research, and present. We play history qui games and watch documentaries. We are historians.

Where: M-11

Leaders: Mrs. Henke Mueller & Mrs. Ouradnik

Goal: To learn the art of jazz and improvisation through listening, performance, and interaction with guest artists. We will participate in TPS Jazz Day and TPS Jazz Night at the Red Onion Cafe

Leaders: Mr. Breiwick

Goal: LEGO First brings students together to explore, create, test, and share ideas about science and technology, all centered around a team challenge.

When: Thursdays from 3:45-5:00PM

Where: Wonder Lab (Maker Space, located in the Fieldhouse)

Leader: James Lescher

Where: Wonderlab

Leaders: Ms. Wojahn

Grades: 7th and 8th only, parent permission required)

Leaders: Ms. Peterson and Mrs. Buikus