The Prairie LeaIndependent School District is a public school district based in the community of Prairie Lea, Texas, United States. In addition to Prairie Lea, the district also serves the communities of Fentress and Stairtown as well as rural areas in southwestern Caldwell County and a small portion of northeastern Guadalupe County. Prairie Lea ISD has one PK-12 campus, Prairie Lea School, with an annual enrollment of between 225 and 250 students. The district accepts transfers from other districts based upon the recommendations of the district transfer committee. The district does not assess a per pupil transfer fee. On a space-available basis, the transfer committee uses an attendance and behavioral performance rubric to assist in transfer approval assessment. In addition to the locally developed rubric, the district must comply with state standards that require certain demographic balance percentages be maintained. In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.
History
The first school in Prairie Lea, as well as in Caldwell County, was a log cabin built in 1848. The first five rooms of the present public school building were erected in 1925. The school was completely remodeled in 1954 and has since undergone several improvements and additions. In the fall of 1938, Prairie Lea and Martindale played the first ever six-man football game in the State of Texas, as a demonstration game for the University Interscholastic League.
Academics
Students in pre-kindergarten through third grade attend self-contained classes for core classes as well as elective courses in Spanish, Music, Physical Education, Technology, Art, and Neo-Smart/AR Lab. Students in grades 4-12 attend classes on a modified block plan - four courses on an "A" day, four courses on a "B" day, and one course that occurs daily for a total of nine annual possible course credits. Depending upon the needs of a particular class, some classes are double blocked with 90 minute classes occurring daily. The district also participates in distance learning courses on an as-needed basis. Varying by grade level, electives include Art, Web Design, Keyboarding, Drama, Woodshop, Building Trades, Small Engine Repair, Teacher Experience, Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, Journalism, Advanced Mathematics and Science Courses, SAT/ACT Prep, Consumer Education, Teen Leadership, Advanced Personal Fitness, Recreational Sports, football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf, track and field, and cross country.
