Protecting What Matters
Chronicling the history of the Seattle Public Schools
The mission of the archives is to provide a repository of primary resources about Seattle schooling, schools and student voices. Because the district is governed in part by local politics, the record of their discussions and activities is engaging history. The school district serves researchers, current students and the public in the development of educational and community history and practices.
Our collection consists of published printed materials, manuscripts and ephemera along with administrative records, photos, and artifacts such as scrapbooks, trophies, art, banners, signs, uniforms, newspapers.
Watch "Documenting Student Learning, Protecting Student Privacy", a short video about the archives to learn more.
Some of the available online resources:
Explore what the archives has to offer -
Search finding aids
A library of reports, studies and models from the 1860s through the 1980s -
Search for Publications *scroll down to the Archives library
Browse our digital past on the Internet Archive.
The district has published several school history books over the years, and has preserved architectural drawings and other materials for its land-marked buildings. Information about school buildings, school names or school landmark status is found at
Architecture and Buildings. Or read about
School Histories.
Fees
Photocopies: $0.15 per page
Scanning: $5.00 per image - if scanned image exists, free
Research Services provided for patrons: $30.00 per hour, pre-paid
Audio copies (includes tape): $5.00
Artifact Loan Preparation: $30.00 (for non- alumni groups)
Research Fees
The Archives charges a fee for research services prorated on salary benefit and overhead costs with a half-hour minimum. (WAC 434-690-080, Section 4). Research services are defined as the collection, assembly or extraction of data or information from existing records, or the analysis of information to provide a report. The standard fee for research services is $30.00 per hour. Research services may be limited to one hour, depending on the staffing level and current workload of the Archives. In such cases, patrons will be referred to an independent researcher for assistance.