When the Seattle Public Schools Board convenes its next meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, July 2), they’ll hear from at least two people who want to express opposition to a district plan to move the Interagency Academy high-school program out of the “Old Roxhill Elementary” building at SW Roxbury and 30th SW. The district also is planning to move the BRIDGES Transition program, for young adults with developmental disabilities, out of the building. Those are the two major programs that the district placed in the “Old Roxhill” building (as explained here) after the Roxhill Elementary program moved to the historic, renovated EC Hughes Elementary building seven years ago. Here’s the letter sent to the BRIDGES and Interagency programs’ students, families, and staff in mid-June by district Chief of Staff Bev Redmond and Associate Superintendent Dr. Rocky Torres-Morales:
Earlier this school year, Seattle Public Schools leadership initiated a series of conversations with students, families, and staff at the Old Roxhill Elementary site, which currently houses some of the Interagency and BRIDGES programs. After careful consideration and in response to the input we received, SPS has developed a proposal to relocate both programs to different sites so that we can better support student learning, needs, and safety.
Starting in the 2025–26 school year, the following changes are being considered:
=Students enrolled in the Old Roxhill Interagency Southwest campus will transition to the Interagency Columbia site (3528 S. Ferdinand St.), a location and learning environment better suited to the program’s goals. Plans are also underway to determine a permanent location for the program in the Southwest region by the 2026-27 school year.
-Students in the Old Roxhill SW BRIDGES program will now attend the BRIDGES at Chief Sealth International High School program site (2600 SW Thistle St.), where they will benefit from being co-located with the resources of a comprehensive school campus. Students who were temporarily attending Old Roxhill SE BRIDGES during the Rainier Beach High School construction project will return to Rainier Beach High School.
As we continue to consider the impact of the move on students, staff, and families, we recognize transitions can bring both excitement and uncertainty. We are committed to ensuring a smooth and supportive move for each school community.
We are also ensuring the plan aligns with board policy. We are actively working with leadership teams at both receiving campuses to prepare for transition. You can expect to hear directly from your school principals with specific details about what to expect next and how to prepare. We appreciate your continued partnership and trust as we work together to create the best possible learning environments for all students. We will continue to listen as this plan is refined and finalized.
We’ve asked the district if that means the Old Roxhill building would be fully closed or whether it would be kept open for some other use; to date, we have not received an answer, only, “The plan to relocate the Interagency and BRIDGES programs at the Old Roxhill Elementary site is under consideration. As of now, this is just a proposal; there is additional work that needs to be done before the plan is final.” Though there was no elaboration on the “safety” concern voiced in the district’s letter, concerns were voiced after the building was hit by bullets earlier this year.and the building’s general condition was described as “deplorable” 13 years ago, with no major remodeling in the years since (just some seismic-retrofit work).
Back to what happens next: We’re still trying to find out; community members are signed up to speak at tomorrow’s board meeting though there’s no related matter on the board’s agenda.
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