Seattle Public Schools

Projects

West Seattle Elementary

West Seattle Elementary School Addition Project

Open for the 2023-24 school year.

West Seattle Elementary School was expanded with a 12-classroom addition, and the existing building was reconfigured to support a new library and secure entry.

Video visit to updated school building, courtesy of Miller Hayashi Architects.

Opening Celebration

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was part of the first day of school welcome on Sept. 6.
Read the Opening Celebration story.
See the Opening Celebration video.

Event photos are below.

a two story brick building has a circular entry canopy with colored panels
New entry canopy at West Seattle Elementary School
a man sits at a table with three laptops open and a microphone
DJ leads the excitement for the red-carpet welcome and ribbon-cutting ceremony
a woman in a long blue dress with red and gold figures stands in front of a microphone behind a red ribbon
Principal McCowan-Conyers
a woman in a maroon dress with pink flowers stands in front a microphone behind a red ribbon
School Board Director Leslie Harris
a man wearing a suite stands at a microphone. a woman in a dress stands behind him. both are in front of large glass doors.
Superintendent Jones addresses families and students
a group of people line up behind a red ribbon. all hold scissors. a circular canopy is above and behind them
Lining up to cut the ribbon at West Seattle Elementary School
five people are behind a red ribbon, two have normal size scissors, three have their hands on a huge scissors
Ready to cut!
five people hold pieces of red ribbon and scissors with their hands up to cheer
The ribbon is cut to mark the opening
a crowd of people includes children and adults and are moving toward the camera
Red carpet welcome through the new entrance
a crowd of people includes children and adults and are moving toward the camera
Hugs, cheers, and high-fives welcome students
a child in a crowd of several children high fives an adult in a white shirt
Welcome high-five
a crowd of people includes children and adults and are moving toward the camera
Students and parents are welcomed by teachers and staff
a purple wall has the word Welcome in multiple languages
Welcome wall just inside the entrance – August 2023
the wall of a paved play area has a mural painted on it that says High Point Community
Mural – August 2023
a paved area has lines for baskeball and basketball hoops, plus painted bike traffic lines
Bicycle traffic garden and basketball play area – August 2023
a broad expanse of artificial turf with a baskeball play are behind it
Artificial turf and play equipment installation in progress – August 2023

About the Project

A new, approximately 20,000 square foot 2-story addition provides 12 new classrooms and two learning commons to better support students’ academic success. Improvements to the existing 50,700 square foot school building includes new paint, carpet, and technology.

By reconfiguring the spaces, the administration office is now located next to a secure entry vestibule. Mechanical systems have been upgraded. The expanded school will provide permanent space for up to 500 students. The library has been relocated and expanded for more natural light and visibility.Site improvements provide better pedestrian access and new play areas/fields, as well as a new bicycle garden.

Technology enhancements included in the BEX V capital levy are designed to provide equitable access to technology for high-need schools to support teaching and learning in meeting the needs of students. Equipment includes audio-visual systems such as classroom displays (projectors/screens), sound systems, document cameras, and devices to connect them.

A School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) that included the principal, staff, teachers, parents, and community members advised the school architect. This collaborative process resulted in an equitable, safe, and inspiring learning environment.

Design: Miller Hayashi Architects

Construction: Jody Miller Construction

Project Budget: $28.3M

Funding Sources:  Building Excellence V Capital Levy (BEX V), approved by Seattle voters in 2019 and a grant from the State of Washington

Photos

site plan drawing showing school campus, school, and addition
Site plan with addition shown
stairway leading up with metal mesh railings. the top of the wall is painted in swaths of purple, gold, and white, a mural runs along the wall side going up the stairs
New entry stairs lead up to the library landing – Jan. 2023
a section of a hallway with wood walls, windows on one side, and a door straight ahead
Wood finishes in the entry vestibule with the welcome area beyond – Feb. 2023
an empty library with shelves, windows, and a bench under the windows
Library ready for books and furnishings – Feb. 2023
a classroom with no furniture but with cabinets and a white board
Updated existing classroom – Feb. 2023
a hallway with a tackboard and framed screens separating it from another area
Perforated screens at updated learning commons in existing building – Feb. 2023
a common area in a hallway with bracing and guardrails
Rubber flooring, benches, railings, and ceiling tiles in addition learning commons – Feb. 2023
a round canopy on posts sits in front of a doorway and second floor windows
Entry canopy with metal wall panels installed – March 2023
a hallway has a purple wall on the right side and doors and windows on the left. a cream colored floor is installed with protective pathways installed on top
Rubber flooring in the main hallway is protected for move in of furniture – March 2023
a large space has seating clusters, support poles, and screening from the main hallway
Learning commons in existing building gains light through a screen – March 2023
a common area is defined by a striped floor and a learning wall and teacher station
New learning commons in the addition – March 2023
a group area has seating clusters, a learning wall, and a teacher station with a purple wall separating it from the hallway
New learning commons in the addition – March 2023
a group of low soft seating in a nook between two windows with a low bookshelf on the back wall
Library book placement in progress – April 2023
a hallway with tables in front of a curving wall of windows on the left
Moving in furniture on level 2 – April 2023
a room has groups of desks, windows and chairs
Classroom furniture move in – April 2023
people looking at a half wall made of metal grid with wood framing. Earthquake bracing runs from floor to ceiling
Hardwood trim on the perforated guardrail in a learning commons – April 2023
a brick building has a sign that says West Seattle Elementary School
Building signage on the addition – June 2023
a canopy made of three circles on metal poles is above a sidewalk with a yellow painted curb
Exterior canopy at pickup area – June 2023
a brick building has a world map painted on the blacktop in front of it
World map painted on south play area – June 2023
two basketball courts have striping and hoops
Basketball court striped – June 2023
a circular canopy says West Seattle Elementary School and is in front of an entry door
Main entrance with new canopy and secure vestibule – August 2023
a purple wall has the word Welcome in multiple languages
Welcome wall just inside the entrance – August 2023
a classroom
Classroom set up in progress – August 2023
a broad expanse of artificial turf with a baskeball play are behind it
Artificial turf and play equipment installation in progress – August 2023
a paved area has lines for baskeball and basketball hoops, plus painted bike traffic lines
Bicycle traffic garden and basketball play area – August 2023
the wall of a paved play area has a mural painted on it that says High Point Community
Mural – August 2023
play equipment partially installed
PreK play area play equipment installation underway – August 2023

Contact Us

Let’s Talk Comments and Questions form

Project Manager: David L. Jackson, dljackson2@seattleschools.org, 206-252-0674

West Seattle Elementary School
6760 34th Ave SW

School Profile

School Website