Brainerd High School was established in 1889 as the demand for a second special school, and eventually, its replacement in Crow Wing County needed to be fulfilled. While the intended use for the school was for children with special needs, in 2007 the school was expanded to help physically disabled children as well. Brainerd High School (North and South campuses) are currently undergoing plans for major renovations, including a new fine arts auditorium connected to the North campus of the school. Improvements and renovations for many of the elementary schools and other schools in the region are also included in this referendum, which passed in spring 2018. Part of the referendum was including a performing arts center as an addition to the high school. On May 26, 2021, the performing arts center, named the "Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts" which name is an
Ojibwe translation of "big river" or "Mississippi River", had its grand opening. ==Notable alumni==