Ever wondered about the largest high school arson in US history? It happened right here at Burnsville High School. This isn’t just any high school. Burnsville High School is a four-year public school in Burnsville Minnesota a southern suburb of Minneapolis. It’s part of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191. The school opened in 1956 as a K-12 school with around 400 students.
Initially it was a K-12 school. But by 1966 students in grades seven through nine started attending Metcalf Junior High. That school has since closed. Now students from Eagle Ridge and Nicollet Middle Schools feed into Burnsville High School for grades 9-12.
But the story of Burnsville High School isn’t just about its academic history. On April 25 1994 a devastating fire engulfed the building. This arson caused over $15 million in damage. The same arsonist targeted Edina High School and Minnetonka High School. While the school was being rebuilt students attended classes at Nicollet Junior High and Sky Oaks Elementary Schools.
The fire was a turning point. The school’s mascot changed from the Braves to the Blaze to avoid negative stereotypes of Native Americans. Before the Braves the mascot was the Bulldogs. That’s a fact many people don’t know.
After the fire the district bought the Diamondhead Mall. They transformed the top floor into a Senior Campus to handle the increased student population. The Senior Campus operated until 2016 when it closed permanently. Today it houses school district offices.
The original part of Burnsville High School was built in 1959. Additions were made in 1962 1971 1976 1977 1980 1993 1998 and 2016. The school now covers over 440000 square feet. A major renovation between 2011 and 2014 updated science labs the heating system bathrooms classrooms and improved accessibility. They replaced lockers enlarged the cafeteria and created a new commons area.
In 2015 voters approved a levy to turn Burnsville High School into a 9-12 school. They closed the Senior Campus and converted junior highs into middle schools. This led to further expansion including new classrooms labs a gymnasium and more renovations.
Burnsville High School has a rich history. It’s a place that has overcome challenges and grown. It’s also produced many successful alumni including professional athletes authors and even a Minnesota state representative. This is Burnsville High School a place of resilience growth and accomplishment.