Park Ridge Provisional School first opened on 23rd April 1895 with a total of 19 pupils and one teacher. The school, then located near Rosia Road, became a State School in March 1909. Due to the poor state of its ant-ridden building the school relocated to an alternative building situated on one acre of land at the current site.
Low enrolments caused the school to close several times in the early years, but the school steadily expanded to 30 students in the 1930's. A further 6 acres of land was added to the grounds, and the school moved into a new elevated building in 1940. This building formed the basis of the existing Administration Block.
Rapid growth continued through the 70's and 80's. Extra land was acquired behind the Progress Hall in 1974. A single unit preschool began operating in 1979 with 17 students. By 1980 the school had expanded to two permanent buildings, a number of demountables, one toilet block and a tuckshop. Similarly, numbers had grown to 310 children and fourteen teachers.
A Special Education block was added in 1984, but in 1985 the school suffered a set-back when arson destroyed the library and administrative areas of the original 1940 building. After 12 months the building was reconstructed to what it is today. Further land was acquired in the late 1980's to extend the northern campus to its existing boundary.
Park Ridge continued to expand and diversify in curriculum. 1984 saw the appointment of the school's first music teacher, with the instrumental program becoming a reality in 1991. LOTE (Language Other Than English) was introduced in 1990, with Year 6 and 7 students learning German. After 13 years of planning and fundraising the pool complex was opened in March 1991, adding swimming to the Physical Education program for all year levels.
The school grounds have traditionally been highly valued at Park Ridge State School. Arbor Day plantings were a highlight in the early school years. In the 1950's the forestry plot was established - these pine trees were to become a symbol of the school, included in the school badge in 1978. There has been a continual upgrade in facilities and the grounds over the years. From its humble beginnings as a single roomed rural school of 19 children and one teacher in 1895, Park Ridge State School has evolved to a large, multi-functional campus. Today, the school is a more futures-oriented school with a modern uniform for its students from Preparatory class to Year Six, a rich offering of curricular and extra-curricular learning and activities, and a harmonious Supportive School Environment.
At Park Ridge State School, we work together as partners to create a dynamic, caring and distinctive school community. Through teamwork, challenge and future-oriented innovation, we model and encourage in all of our students personal excellence, respect, responsibility and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Park Ridge State School is located at the southern end of Brisbane South East District, in the City of Logan. It services the communities of Park Ridge and the developing areas south along the Mt Lindesay Highway and neighbouring suburbs to the north and west.
The school embraces both traditional and modern values. It was first opened in 1895 as a small rural school. Today it serves as a vibrant educational facility linking a community that covers a large physical area. The students at Park Ridge come from a diverse range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Within Logan City the school is unique because of its long history.