BACK-TO-SCHOOL COUNTDOWN: West Seattle Elementary at Schmitz Park this year as addition construction begins

With school starting soon, we’re starting a series of previews. First: A school with a new temporary location this year: The sign above tells the story outside the former Schmitz Park Elementary building at 5000 SW Spokane – this year, for the first time since 2016, it will be a full-time elementary school again. West Seattle Elementary will spend the year there while an addition is built on its site in High Point. Construction there is now under way:

The temporary move has meant changes for the Schmitz Park site too – portable classrooms fill the schoolyard again, moved into place over the summer; most were moved out after Schmitz Park students and staff moved to the then-newly built Genesee Hill Elementary five years ago. (We reported last January that 17 portables were to be installed – as Schmitz Park Elementary, the site held 20.)

West Seattle Elementary is expected to be back at its site in time for the start of school next year. The $28 million project includes a 2-story, 20,000-sf addition, with 12 new classrooms and two learning commons, plus a new entrance, upgraded mechanical systems, new play areas/fields, and technology upgrades..

(WSE Elementary rendering by Miller Hayashi Architects)

The Schmitz Park building is expected to host another school later this decade, when Alki Elementary is rebuilt 2023-2025.

parent August 23, 2021 (1:14 pm)

It would be great is SPS would have made Schmitz Park into a school for 6th graders and madison would house 7th and 8th. Madison is much too small even with the small addition they are getting.

Jon Wright August 23, 2021 (3:33 pm)

The only thing that could possibly make that idea any better would be if they connected the sites with an aerial tram.

onion August 23, 2021 (4:51 pm)

What’s the status of Lafayette? Will it be ready for students by the beginning of the school year? Still looks like a lot of work needs to be done.

trickycoolj August 23, 2021 (4:44 pm)

Don’t have kiddos, but will this increase school bus traffic in High Point to get the kids to the temp location? We already get quite a bit of buses with our tight streets its worth adjusting commute times around the bus schedule.

WSB August 23, 2021 (4:48 pm)

I tried to get transportation details out of the district some time back. All they would tell us was that 300+ students live in the WSE walk zone so will be eligible for transportation. So I’d say, yes.

Schmitz Park Mom August 24, 2021 (8:29 am)

Enjoy Schmitz Park Elementary and the park next door! So glad the building will have a full compliment of children, even if it is temporary. I hope the classes go down into the forest, the kiddos enjoy the huge playground, and the staff enjoy the feeling of being in the trees. I know there will be many challenges, but the time will be short and you will have a new school upon return.

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