2026 will bring more portables to West Seattle High School, pending city approvals

(WSB photo after previous portables’ arrival in 2023)

By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Next school year, West Seattle High School students can expect two more portable units to join the existing four in the school’s parking lot, according to a Seattle Public Schools representative. This follows the ongoing rise in WSHS student population, which sat at 1452 as of October.

Construction is expected to be done over the summer of 2026 while classes are not in session, according to SPS, which says the work is “not expected to impact day-to-day activities.”

We inquired about this after noticing in city online records that permit applications had been filed to construct two more portable classrooms. The filings appeared last month. According to the city’s permit portal, building and land use pre-applications have been approved for a portable “P5” and “P6,” but construction permits are still waiting on approval.

As we mentioned in 2023, the construction of the first four portable classrooms in the WSHS parking lot was a response to a growing student body that then numbered roughly 1300. These new portables would also further reduce the number of parking spaces available for drivers, which was already below zoning requirements in 2023, A zoning departure is being requested for this, according to online city files, which include a site plan showing the two new portables would be placed to the west of the existing four, taking up nine current parking spaces.

10 Replies to "2026 will bring more portables to West Seattle High School, pending city approvals"

  • Jen December 27, 2025 (9:11 pm)

    Great. That means even more cars parked on the street in surrounding neighborhoods during school hours. It’s already hard to find a parking place during school hours. It’s going to get even worse. 

    • Kyle December 27, 2025 (9:45 pm)

      Sounds like 9 additional cars max. I don’t think parking impact is the main worry here. SPS will spend more on “permanent” portables then relook at school zones.

    • Bernadette December 27, 2025 (11:05 pm)

      It’s not just that there will be 9 fewer parking spaces, but also that there will be 150 extra students! I live in this neighborhood and most school days I can’t find a parking space on my block.

      • Kyle December 28, 2025 (10:15 am)

        Right, the difference between Sealth and West Seattle enrollment will be 400-500 kids. 

      • Ws December 28, 2025 (12:49 pm)

        Those students are already there.  This is not adding new students, just giving more class space.

  • WS December 27, 2025 (10:21 pm)

    Great reminder to take public transportation 

    • Anne December 28, 2025 (10:55 am)

      Yeah right-plan to leave 2 hours early in case bus is delayed -I can see kids doing that. Ha! 

      • Amy December 28, 2025 (12:05 pm)

        Huh, I ride the bus 3 days a week and never have to leave 2 hours early to get to work on time, but sure. 

      • Noah December 28, 2025 (1:04 pm)

        High School is a great time for kids to learn some independence and self reliance through public transportation. Otherwise they might end up whiny,  bitter and out of touch like

  • BT December 28, 2025 (11:15 am)

    For about an hour after school gets out, the buses get so overcrowded with students that they start skipping stops. Heads up to those using public transportation regularly.

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