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John Muir

John Muir Elementary School Early Learning Addition and Improvements

Latest News

The new Early Learning Addition opened in September 2025 for the 2025-26 school year.

Project Update

Major activity in August

  • Received temporary occupancy permit.
  • Completed interior build out.
  • Completed flashing and paint for the new bike shed.
  • Completed new accessible parking space and signage.
part of a brick building with a sidewalk and deciduous trees
New Early Learning addition – Aug. 2025
a covered area with bike racks and painted murals with workers in safety vests
New bike racks in covered bike shelter – Aug. 2025
a bio retention planter with a drain between a brick building and a paved sidewalk
New bio-retention planter – Aug. 2025
a covered area with skylights and a small playground with play equipment
Early learning canopy and playground – Aug. 2025
a double door next to a short door
New Early Learning entrance including kid-size door – Aug. 2025
a view through an interior opening of a kitchen space with stove, sink, and two refrigerators
Early Learning kitchen – Aug. 2025
a classroom with white boards, low wall book case, and a seating window seat
Early Learning classroom – Aug. 2025

About the Project

Overview

This is a project to build a 4-classroom Early Learning addition with before- and after-school childcare support spaces.

It also includes renovating the 3rd floor of the 1971 addition from open concept to 3 classrooms, upgrades to the existing fire suppression system, and loading dock upgrades. Site work includes adding modular play equipment, bicycle parking, a bicycle garden, and work on the right-of-way curb ramp.

The existing school will remain on site during the school year while construction is going on.

Funding Source: Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics V Capital Levy (BTA V), approved by voters in 2022 and a Distressed Schools Grant from the State of Washington.

Timeline

construction phase graphic showing that the school is in the Construction phase
Learn what happens during these phases
  • Predesign phase: Complete
  • Schematic design phase: Complete
  • Design development phase: Complete
  • Construction documents and permitting phase: In progress
  • Bid and award phase: Complete
  • Construction phase: In progress
  • Estimated completion: Summer 2025

Construction Progress Photos

a loader is demolishing part of a brick building
Demolition to prepare for the new preschool addition – July 2024
a bucket loader is demolishing a portion of a brick building while workers spray water
Spraying water during demolition to keep dust down – July 2024
A group of large boulders set into the ground with bark around them
Boulders relocated from front of school – Sep. 2024
a large trench outside of a building with one wall open
Subgrade footings for addition – Sep. 2024
a hallway with an open ceiling under construction
Work underway on 3rd floor classroom spaces – Sep. 2024
a person stands in a mostly complete hallway with windows on each side. the ceiling has ductwork showing and the floor is protected.
Newly painted walls and window frames in 3rd floor hallway – Sep. 2024
a wooden beam with handwriting on it
Student and teacher signatures on beam – Dec. 2024
a long narrow hole next to a brick building
Excavation for wheelchair ramp – Dec. 2024
a building under construction with beams being lifted into place
Roof beams being set – Dec. 2024
a large tent
Tenting plastic on scaffold for weather protection – Dec. 2024
a partially build wall
Exterior drywall from the interior – Dec. 2024
framed walls with a plastic tent on scaffolding above
Wall framing for the staff kitchen and preschool restrooms – Jan. 2025
two people in a space with partially framed walls with a plastic tent roof
Framing walls for 2 new classrooms and staff kitchen – Jan. 2025
two scissor lifts with people and some ceiling beams above partially framed walls inside a white tent on scaffolding
Setting glulam beams for preschool classroom – Jan. 2025
copper pipes and silver ductwork in a space under construction
New piping and ductwork – Jan. 2025
a concrete ramp in front of a brick building with temporary wood railings
New access ramp with temporary rails – March 2025
a room under construction with ductwork and framing showing
After-school care room – March 2025
wallboard with mud around door frames in a space under construction
Wallboard and door frame installation – March 2025
looking up to a partially constructed ceiling
Roof plywood installation – March 2025
A newly constructed concrete accessibility ramp with metal railings leads to the side entrance of a red-brick school, with a parking lot visible in the background.
New ADA-accessible ramp with handrails. April 2025
Two construction workers smooth fresh concrete beneath a structure decorated with colorful murals, near a fenced playground area.
Concrete work underway in bike shelter. April 2025
Entry view of a building under construction, with exposed wood framing, wiring, and construction materials scattered throughout.
Roof over framing at the PreK entry. April 2025
A room with a pitched ceiling and exposed trusses shows drywall installation in progress, with light streaming through tall windows.
Wallboard installation in PreK classroom. April 2025
A construction worker in high-visibility gear kneels on the ground beneath a concrete stairwell, preparing materials near two propane tanks. A tall ladder leans against the upper level, and safety equipment including fire extinguishers and harnesses is visible.
New bike shelter canopy – June 2025
Construction workers in safety vests and hard hats work on a site outside a brick building, assembling rebar and preparing a foundation with gravel and wood framing. A small excavator and utility vehicle are visible in the background, with fencing and construction materials scattered around the area.
Concrete footings for PreK playground – June 2025
An unfinished interior room under construction with exposed ceiling grids and visible wiring. Two open doorways lead to tiled rooms, while a stack of cable spools and safety gear sit on the floor. Wooden cubbies and cabinets are installed along one wall, and natural light enters through a skylight above.
Afterschool care space – June 2025
A large interior room under renovation with an exposed ceiling showing ducts and wiring. The walls are partially painted, and window areas are covered with plywood. Wooden cubby shelves line two walls, and a trash bin and construction materials are scattered around. A worker in a safety vest stands near a window on the right.
Northwest PreK classroom – June 2025

Project Design

School Design Advisory Team (SDAT)

Early in the design process, representatives from the school community come together to form a school’s SDAT. SDATs typically include school and district staff, parents, and community members. Students are sometimes included for all or part of the process. The project construction managers also take part. Learn more about the John Muir SDAT.

Architect’s Drawings

simple site plan of a school
Site plan showing project area
drawing of the outside of a brick building with a flag pole and trees. people are shown walking on the side walk and walkway to the entry
Main entrance with new PreK addition to the left
drawing of a 1 story brick building with pavement in front
PreK Entry

Project Team

Project Design: Anjali Grant Design

GCCM: Absher Construction

Project Manager: Matisia Hollingsworth, mchollingswo@seattleschools.org, 206-252-0901

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