Burnsville High School

Burnsville High School originally opened in 1957 as a K-12 school with an initial enrollment of about 400 students. In 1966, upon completion of the newly constructed school, students in grades seven through nine started attending Metcalf Junior High which has since closed.[2] Today, students attending Burnsville's newer Eagle Ridge and Nicollet Middle Schools will attend Burnsville Senior High School for grades 9-12.

On April 25, 1994, the largest high school arson in the United States occurred, which resulted in over $15 million in damages.[3] The same arsonist also started fires at Edina High School and Minnetonka High School. During the restoration, high school students studied at nearby Nicollet Junior High and Sky Oaks Elementary Schools. Around the time of the fire, the school's mascot was changed from the Braves to the Blaze to avoid stigmatizing and stereotyping Native Americans. The name "Blaze" was conceived because of the word "Burnsville" in the school name, and had nothing to do with the fire; it was merely a coincidence. The Braves icon is still widely accepted, and many students still have Braves apparel. Prior to the Braves, the first mascot of Burnsville High School was the Bulldogs.

In September, 2012, the BHS school board started looking towards Burnsville High School becoming a grades nine-twelve school. If this were done, they would have to add on a new portion of the school. The proposed 40,000-square-foot building addition was estimated at $12 million. Randy Clegg (former superintendent of District 191) also recommended closing the Burnsville High School Senior Campus in 2014 and holding all senior classes at the main campus.

In 1997, District 191 bought the Diamondhead Mall and converted the top level into the Senior Campus to handle increasing enrollment. A year later, it was opened for use. Students could drive or take a shuttle bus to move from one campus to the other. Many classes available only to 12th grade students are offered at the Senior Campus, including many English, math and social studies classes. Most seniors at Burnsville High School spend half their day at this separate campus. The time needed to travel from one campus to the other is only about 10–15 minutes, but many students structure their schedule to consolidate their lunch and travel time. At the end of the 2015-2016 school year, the Burnsville High School Senior Campus closed permanently, and is now used for school district offices.

In 2006 the Beautification Committee, a group of volunteer parents, raised $50,000 from donations and proceeds from 50th anniversary blanket sales to purchase an electronic greeting sign, replacing an old stone one, as part of the school's 50th anniversary. Burnsville was one of the last not to have an electronic sign, as Lakeville, Bloomington, and Eagan already did. This group has also volunteered their time, energy, and resources to help upkeep the gardens and grounds of the school. There was some controversy among students and community members over the cost of the sign, and many questioned whether people would raise such money for books, new computers, or technology education equipment. The money for the sign, however, was raised by local businesses and private donors, and not taken from the school's budget.

Former Burnsville logo

The original portion of Burnsville High School was constructed in 1959, with additions in 1962, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1993, 1998, and 2016, which bring the school's total area to over 440,000 square feet.

A three-year, $13 million renovation commenced during summer 2011. Renovations included upgrades to the building's science labs, heating system, bathrooms and classrooms, and made the school more accessible to people with disabilities. Lockers were to be replaced, the cafeteria was enlarged and reconfigured, and a larger, more open commons was created.[4]

On February 24, 2015, voters from around the school district voted to approve a funding levy to transform Burnsville High School into a 9-12 school, close the Senior Campus, and convert junior highs into 6-8 middle schools, and elementary schools into K-5 schools. As a result of the increased number of students, Burnsville High School required an expansion, including classrooms, new fabrication and auto labs, a new gymnasium, and further renovations.

The school participates in the University of Minnesota's College in the Schools program.[5]

As of the 2017-18 school year, there were 2,534 students attending Burnsville High School.[6] White students made up 50% of the student population, while African American students made up the largest minority, representing 20% of the student population. Asian and Hispanic students made up 9% and 16% of the student population, respectively. American Indian students made up less than 1% of the student population. 52% of the Student Body was Male, and 48% was Female. Students eligible for free or reduced price lunch made up 41% of the student body.[7] As of 2011, Students with limited English proficiency made up 5% of the student body. Students with special education needs made up 9% of the student body.

Burnsville High School is affiliated with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) and was a member of the Lake Conference until 2010-11, when they left to join the South Suburban Conference.

• Cameron Beckman (class of 1988), Professional Golfer - played golf at Texas Lutheran University, has won three PGA Tour events, and played in three major championships
• Brock Boeser (class of 2015) - Professional Hockey player. Attended college, and played for the University of North Dakota, now plays for the Vancouver Canucks
• Todd Boonstra (class of 1980), two-time Olympian (cross country skiing) 1988 and 1994
• Janell Cannon (class of 1975), author and illustrator, most notably of Stellaluna
• Sam Carlson (class of 2017), second round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners
• Nate DiCasmirro (class of 1997), professional hockey player
• TeTori Dixon (class of 2010), volleyball player for Team USA
• David L. Knutson (class of 1978), Minnesota State Senator of District 37, 2003-2004[8]
• Holly Manthei (class of 1994), member of the 1995 US Women's World Cup Team
• Kamal Martin (class of 2016), Professional Football player. Attended college, and played for the University of Minnesota, now plays for the Green Bay Packers
• Todd Okerlund (class of 1983), member of the 1988 US Olympic Hockey Team
• Kirsten Olson (class of 2010), figure skater and actor in Ice Princess
• Mark Osiecki (class of 1987), former NHL player 1990-1993; currently the head men's hockey coach at Ohio State University
• Melissa Peterman (class of 1989), played "Barbra Jean" on the show Reba
• Chase Roullier, (class of 2012), NFL center for the Washington Redskins
• James Ruffin (class of 2005), football player with the Spokane Shock
• Randy Scheunemann (class of 1978), lobbyist and foreign policy advisor to John McCain
• C. J. Smith (class of 2011), American football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns.
• Jason Suttle (class of 1993), NFL football player for the Denver Broncos
• Cedric Yarbrough (class of 1991), actor, most notably of TV shows Reno 911! and The Boondocks

• Burnsville High School
• BHS all class alumni website