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.
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.
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.
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.
Right, the difference between Sealth and West Seattle enrollment will be 400-500 kids.
Currently it is 300 – 1175 Sealth, 1474 WSHS, per the district’s December report.
Those students are already there. This is not adding new students, just giving more class space.
Great reminder to take public transportation
Yeah right-plan to leave 2 hours early in case bus is delayed -I can see kids doing that. Ha!
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.
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
Lolllllll, nailed it…
My son has taken public transport to Madison for 3 years now. 2x in those 3 years the bus ran late. I would say that’s quite reliable. Give it a try.
Buses come every 15m/30m. If your bus was delayed you would just take the next bus?
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.
It’s kind of KC Metro to let students ride free, and you are right, they don’t provide adequate service for the numbers who would ride if they could. The northbound schedule also does not match WSHS release time.
18 and under ride free state-wide. It was put in place a few years ago by the state legislature.