Northgate

We're Building a New Northgate Elementary School!

Upon opening, the school will be renamed James Baldwin Elementary, a name chosen by the school community.

Timeline

• Pre-design phase complete
• Schematic design phase complete
• Design development phase complete
• Construction documents/permittin
• Bid and award phase in progress
• Construction begins Summer 2021
• School opens Fall 2023

Current Phase: Bid and Award

Project Design

The new two-story elementary school building will provide the spaces and resources that students need for academic success. The approximately 95,000 square foot school will meet the district's elementary educational specifications and provide space for up to 650 students. A collaborative process resulted in a building designed to fit into the neighborhood. It will provide outdoor learning, play, and recreation areas.

Sustainable design features work toward the district energy goals. Features include a geothermal heating system, energy-efficient lighting, and solar panel readiness. No natural gas will be connected to the school.

The new school has been designed to provide an equitable, safe, and inspiring learning environment for the entire school community. Learning clusters will have classrooms surrounding learning commons.

Northgate Elementary School will remain on site during construction. The new school building will be built on the school grounds. Once the new building is occupied, the old building will be demolished, and new playfields will be constructed.

Take a Virtual Tour

View an animated video tour of the new school building from NAC Architecture.

Northgate Virtual Design Tour Walkthrough from Seattle Public Schools (SPSTV).

Design Drawings

Construction Photos

Recent Progress

Progress updates are posted for the previous month the week after the monthly BEX and BTA Capital Levies Oversight Committee meetings. These meetings typically take place on the first Friday of each month.

Major Activity Completed in June 2021

• Completed SDCI hearing with examiner upholding departure decisions
• Received grading permit
• Completed site mobilization including tree protection fencing and placement of Lydig Learns panels on perimeter fencing
• Started rough grading activities
• Started geothermal well installation
• Started demolition of existing concrete retaining walls

Major Activity Planned for July 2021

• Receive demolition and portable relocation permits
• Continue onsite construction activities including rough grading, geothermal well installation, portables relocation, and playground equipment removal.

About the Project

Project Goals

These school specific goals were developed during the School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) process. (More about SDAT)

• Non-institutional feel — a place the student and families feel like they belong
• Strong sense of community — encourage close connections and overlapping of groups
• Exceptional tapestry of spacial choices — variety of areas for different activities (not a hallway with doors). 
• Encourages curiosity — curiosity is the starting point for interest in reading and engagement.
• Connections to outdoors — garden spaces, nature, and movement.
• A place that is restorative — areas for teachers to recharge, for students to feel safe and supported, and for families to feel supported.

School Design: NAC Architecture

General Contractor/Construction Management: Lydig Construction

Project Manager: Amanda Fulford

Project Budget: $90.3M

Funding Source: Funded by the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy, approved by Seattle voters in 2019.

School Design Advisory Team

Learn about the School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) process and read meeting minutes.

Contact Us

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