Shhh. Listen closely. Breck School has tales to tell. It’s not just brick and mortar. It’s a story etched in time.
Breck School started in 1886 in Wilder, Minnesota. It’s named for Episcopal missionary James Lloyd Breck. The school moved to Saint Paul in 1916. It moved a few blocks again in 1920 and 1922. Breck became a boys’ school in 1938. Military curriculum was added then. The military aspect ended in 1959. Girls came back in 1952. They were in grades one to three at first. By 1967, girls were throughout the school.
A fire burned the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in 1979. It was at the River Road location. In 1981, Breck School moved here. This Golden Valley campus was a former middle and high school. The city closed them after a merger. Breck celebrated its centennial in 1986.
Breck School has always evolved. It adapts to meet students’ needs. It began with a religious foundation. Today Breck is an independent college-preparatory school. Breck serves pre-K through 12th grade.
Breck has strong language programs today. Spanish, French, and Mandarin are taught. They start in preschool and go through 12th grade. Margaret Wong created the Mandarin Chinese program.
Breck hosted a U.S. Senate debate in 2008. Norm Coleman, Al Franken, and Dean Barkley participated. The debate aired on KARE-11 TV and C-SPAN. Many people watched the debate live and on TV.
Breck School is part of the Independent Metro Athletic Conference. It has won many state championships. Breck athletes have gone on to play for Division One programs. The boys’ hockey team won state in 2000, 2004, 2009, and 2010. The girls’ hockey program started in 1994. They won state in 2012, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Breck alumni have achieved great things. Frank Mars created the Milky Way bar. Walter Lewis Bush, Jr. owned the Minnesota North Stars. Bradford Parkinson invented GPS technology. R. T. Rybak was the Mayor of Minneapolis. Blake Wheeler captains the Winnipeg Jets. David Roddy plays for the Memphis Grizzlies. Grace Zumwinkle plays for PWHL Minnesota.
Breck School uses Veracross student information system. It helps manage data and communication. Veracross helps the school connect with families. It supports various aspects of school operations.
Breck School received awards for excellence. The Lower School won a U.S. Department of Education award in 1988. The Middle and Upper Schools won a Blue Ribbon School award in 1993.
Breck School stands as a testament to education. It’s a story of growth and adaptation. It’s a place where students learn and thrive. Breck School’s story continues to unfold. It shapes the future. It nurtures the leaders of tomorrow.