Deephaven School, shortly after completion in 1938. Photo: Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
In December 1936, Deephaven received a federal Works Progress Administration grant to help build a new school. After two years of construction and only a few feet from its predecessor, the stately yellow brick building, overlooking Vine Hill Road, opened as Deephaven School.
At 15,616 square feet and employing nine teachers, it was ready to meet the community, serving grades K–12. With C.D. Peterson as superintendent, the school was dedicated in 1939.
By 1941, Deephaven was growing rapidly, necessitating more classroom space. The village voted for a sizable eight-room addition in June, but with the United States joining World War II, there was a significant delay, and students would not use the space until January 1947.
In March 1949, there was a vote with other area districts to merge, forming Minnetonka School District 7. It passed overwhelmingly. In 1952, the high school students moved to present-day Minnetonka High School.
The Deephaven School building would continue to serve as Deephaven Junior High, Deephaven Intermediate and Chapel Hill Academy and today houses the Minnetonka Community Education Center.
Sarah Dibble is a volunteer with the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, which tells the story of Lake Minnetonka by collecting, preserving and sharing its history. Discover more at lakeminnetonkahistory.org.
