Vision:

The Berrien Springs Public Schools will provide community-centered education driven by student needs to prepare individuals in learning for life in a changing world.

History:

Before it was known as Berrien Springs, the area where the town now stands was once a prairie. The newcomers began calling the area Wolf's Prairie due to the abundance of Wolves in the area. Wolf's Prairie overlooked the St. Joseph River, which was used extensively for transportation at the time. Soon people began to settle the area and the need for an educational institution arose. In 1833, a school was organized in an old log cabin. While at first few in number, the number of students began to increase significantly in 1834. At this time a proper school house was erected at the corner of Mechanic and Julius Streets.

In 1874, the Union School Law passed which meant that communities had the right to erect public schools. The village of Berrien Springs took control of the schools and built a new school building for $7,500. By 1876, the school had an enrollment of 63 in the high school, 49 in the intermediate (middle), and 99 in the primary (elementary) schools. High School courses of the time consisted of arithmetic, geography, grammar, history, reading, algebra, bookkeeping, and civil government. At the time only girls graduated from the high school while the boys tended to begin work at an able age.

In 1882, Miss Nellie Marquissee graduated from Berrien Springs High School with credentials to teach. Miss Marquissee went on to teach generations of Berrien Springs students for 50 years. It is with this same dedication that our schools serve our students today. Berrien Springs Public Schools now has 4 main buildings and over 1500 students. We continue to grow and serve the community in the fine tradition of the past.