News

Dates and locations for Seattle Public Schools high schools graduation ceremonies June 2019.

Thurs., March 7, 2019: All schools and administrative offices will be open and observe regular hours. Buses will run on regular routes.

Join us for the annual Seattle Public School College Bound Scholarship Conference on Sat., March 2, 1 - 4 p.m., at the University of Washington.

None of our drinking water sources at any Seattle Public Schools building or school have elevated levels of lead in the water. We are continuously improving these testing procedures, with funding from our local levy dollars, to ensure that our students and staff consume healthy, non-contaminated water while in our buildings.

Wed., Sept. 4 is the first day of school for grades 1-12; Mon., Sept. 9 is the first day of kindergarten. Read all key dates for the 2019-20 school year.

Following a nationwide search netting many highly qualified applicants, Seattle Public Schools has hired an outstanding individual to become our chief operations officer. Fred Podesta brings years of experience to the district, having served the City of Seattle in several leadership roles including director of city operations and director of executive administration.

On Mon., Jan. 7, Dr. Diane DeBacker took the reins of Seattle Public Schools’ academic programs, and the shared responsibility of educating close to 53,000 students.

DeBacker’s passion for public education has taken her from her first high school classroom of students in Manhattan, Kansas, to advising the education system in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Authentic family engagement is critical to student success. Together, parents and classroom teachers are partners in ensuring student’s academic and social-emotional strengths and needs are supported.

Our hearts and thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire Jewish community including here in Seattle, following the tragic mass murder and shooting in Pittsburgh. When one of our communities is the target of violence and hate, our grief is shared.

Seattle Public Schools serves a diverse school community. We are dedicated to creating welcoming environments where each students feel safe and their differences are celebrated. Seattle Public Schools has a long history of supporting and advocating for LGBTQ students, staff, and families.

For the fourth consecutive year, Hawthorne Elementary received the nationally prestigious John Hopkins University’s National Network of Partnerships Schools Award.

This summer, students became crew in the Skills Center course Introduction to Maritime Vessel Operation. A 25-foot vessel and the San Juan Islands in the Salish Sea became their classroom as they learned to navigate currents and tides, read charts, and gain an understanding of the physics of sailing.

The week of Oct. 8, I visited several schools including Franklin High School where I had the opportunity to meet student body representatives Ashleen and Gabi, see the amazing work at Cleveland's health center, and observe students at Washington Middle School explore college and careers during Discover U week.

Under the state's 24 credit graduation requirement, students must earn three (3) science credits: at least two lab sciences, and a third credit of choice. In previous years, students were able to graduate with two (2) science credits. In addition to the course work, students will be required to pass the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science at the end of their junior year.

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Denise Juneau is embarking on a comprehensive Listening and Learning Tour to gather an understanding of the district's strengths, challenges, and what is most important for her to consider as plans are developed for the district's future.

Getting students to and from school is top of mind for me. Like many of you, I am frustrated that the start of school hasn’t been smooth for all of our students and families. Our students deserve timely, safe, and predictable transportation to and from school.

Seattle Public Schools invites all seniors to attend one of the many upcoming college application and financial aid events.

This is an update on transportation services contracted with First Student. Anytime there is a late bus, students, families and schools are impacted. We apologize for this disruption. Getting students safely to and from school on time is a top priority.

Seattle teachers and staff recently came together plan and share how they create welcoming classroom environments that offer high-quality education and inclusive school communities through the whole-child framework—MTSS (multi-tiered system of support)

This year’s window for parent referrals for K-8 students currently enrolled at Seattle Public Schools is May 15, 2018 through September 24, 2018 to determine eligibility for school year 2019-20. Applications for students in grades 9-12 will be available in January.

Families in Seattle Public Schools can now pay student fees and other school-related bills online with the district's SchoolPay system. Beginning Fall 2018, all schools will now have access to SchoolPay.

Last year, six Seattle educators were recognized for excellence in teaching as part of a Symetra Heroes in the Classroom awards! Now it is time to nominate 2018-19 educators for this award.

Seattle Public Schools will begin evaluating instructional materials for 9-12 science. An adoption committee comprised of teachers, students, families, and community members from across the district will be formed. Their work will begin in October. Interested individuals are invited to apply.

At a recent School Board meeting, Gail Morris, Native American Education program manager and Stacia Hawkinson, Native Education consulting teacher, debuted the short film, which showcases Native Seattle Public School high school students and staff sharing their stories, hopes, and dreams for their future.

We are excited to share that the Seattle Education Association membership approved the 1-year contract for 2018-19!

All across the district, open doors and smiling faces awaited students and their families. Sept. 5 marked the first day of school for students in grades 1-12.

The 2018-19 school year form is available Sept. 5 through Sept. 30, 2018.

The College and Career Readiness team is holding five regional information meetings to give parents and community members an opportunity to talk directly with staff about the benefits of Naviance, the district’s college and career planning tool.

Seattle Public Schools is hosting community meetings in September to share information about our upcoming Operations Levy and our Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy, both to be submitted to Seattle voters in February 2019.

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year. I'm excited to kick off the school year as your superintendent. It's going to be a great year!

Jessica Monfils, family and consumer sciences teacher at Ingraham High School was recently announced as the 2018 Nancy Johnson New Professional Teacher of the Year.

We are excited to share that the Seattle Education Association and district have reached a tentative contract agreement. School will begin on Wed., Sept. 5 for 1st through 12 grade students and Mon., Sept. 10 for kindergarten students. The SEA general membership assembly will vote on the proposed contract on Sat., Sept. 8.

Currently, an evaluation and selection process is underway to determine what construction and facilities projects should be recommended to the School Board for inclusion in BEX V. This summer, the Facilities Master Plan Task Force convened to support the School Board’s oversight of capital planning by reviewing elements of the district’s Facilities Master Plan update.

Available to next year’s 8th through 12th graders, Naviance will help students identify their strengths, interests and goals, and link them to potential college and career pathways; providing a deeper knowledge about options for the future.

Tracy Gill, a 6th grade social studies teacher at Denny International Middle School, has been awarded the Regional Teacher of the Year; representing Puget Sound Educational Service District 121.

The start of the school year is a great time to reinforce the importance of attendance with students. The first 20 days of school are particularly important for establishing good attendance habits.

Each year, the district welcomes incoming kindergarten students and their families to experience their school early through Jump Start, a free, week-long immersive experience.

Over 200 Seattle Public Schools leaders and district staff gathered at West Seattle High School for the annual Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) in preparation for the upcoming 2018-19 academic year.

The air quality forecast has improved, but is still unhealthy for sensitive groups.

It has come to our attention that some district ground crews have used Roundup which contains glyphosate a potential carcinogenic. We have halted our use of this product. We will review grounds maintenance practices to ensure we follow policy and procedure.

As part of the 24-credit graduation requirements that affects all Seattle Public Schools students beginning with the Class of 2021, students must earn at least one credit in Career and Technical Education.

Students taking career-technical education (CTE) summer courses through the Seattle Skills Center had an opportunity to meet with local chefs and employees in the restaurant industry at an event sponsored by Tom Douglas.

As we prepare for the 2018-19 school year, our district has spent time this summer looking ahead at our overall finances.

Despite our projected funding gap starting in the 2019-20 school year, Seattle Public Schools is committed to ensuring our students have the access and opportunities they need to succeed. This includes balancing paying our amazing educators a fair and competitive wage with providing the programming our students and families need and expect.

Jump Start takes place each morning Mon-Fri., Aug. 20-24.

Important Dates for Kindergarten Families

• Aug. 20 - 24 Jump Start
• Sept. 5 - 7 Each family meets with their kindergarten teacher
• Sept. 10 First day of school for kindergarten students (grades 1 through 12 will start school on Sept. 5)

Keep your student engaged with learning throughout the summer.

In 2019-20, new high school boundaries will be implemented with the opening of Lincoln High School in north Seattle. Watch a video that highlights the changes.

The school year has ended but Seattle Public Schools will be hard at work to prepare for a great 2018-19 school year. Below is a collection of resources and helpful links that families may need during the summer

Pathfinder K-8 eigth-graders spearheaded a student service project that modernized a school mural and helped create a welcoming school environment that support the identity safety of every student.

On June 3, Sand Point Elementary schoolwide musical production "Salmon Boy" retold a legend of Pacific Northwest native tribes and highlighted the school's and district's commitment to positive, inclusive learning environments that support belonging and identity safety for all students.

Join Seattle Public Schools staff and families at June 24 Seattle Pride Parade. Meet us at the school bus before 11 a.m. on 4th Ave. between University and Seneca.

Click the Student Portal blue icon at the top of all Seattle Public Schools websites for quick links to The Source, Schoology and other online tools to support students.

The Seattle Public Schools School Board and Facilities and Operations Department are establishing a Facilities Master Plan task force. You are invited to apply. Applications are due by Thurs., June 7.

U.S. News and World Report has recognized several Seattle Public Schools high schools as top high schools in Washington state in their annual report.

The Visual and Performing Arts Program offered a professional development session on May 2 in partnership with the Family Partnerships and the Center for Arab and Islamic Resources (CAIR).

Summer vacation is just around the corner, but the work to improve systems at the district level continues. We are committed to gathering input from families and communities during several opportunities for involvement in the coming months.

All guardians with a K-12 student should receive an email link to the Family Survey on Tues., April 17. If your family does not have an email on file, you will receive a mailed survey.

The district is piloting ethnic studies curriculum in six schools aimed at engaging students in perspectives of historically marginalized groups.

Please join us in thanking a teacher who has had an impact on your life, and sharing appreciation for the educators of our district.

Seattle Public Schools accepts School Choice applications until May 31.

Help Seattle Public Schools rethink and re-examine our practices to ensure each and every student receives the high-quality instruction necessary to grow and achieve.

Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors honored AAMAC at the board’s April 25 meeting for AAMAC’s partnership with the district, specifically for their focus on eliminating opportunity gaps.

Join us for the Naramore Art Show at Seattle Art Museum to celebrate the success of many of our highest achieving art students.

The show runs through May 27 and the awards ceremony and teen night out will be May 4, 6 until 7 p.m.

On the evening of April 3, Phillipa Dugaw, North Beach PTA president and Brooke Walker, North Beach auction chair, presented a $10,000 check to Northgate Elementary. Principal Dedy Fauntleroy, Family Support Worker, Guillermo Carval, and Librarian Kate Eads were present at the PTA meeting to receive the donation on behalf of Northgate.

Thanks to a partnership with Seattle Housing Authority and Seattle Public Schools, more than 100 SHA students from Aki Kurose and Asa Mercer International middle schools either had perfect or improved attendance during the month of March.

Nationally, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. During the month of April, conversations are taking place across the country to raise awareness about child abuse and sexual assault prevention. We encourage families to talk with kids about these important topics as well.

Seattle Public Schools is currently testing an interim assessment tool for mathematics and English language arts (ELA) for students in grades 3- 11 and is seeking board approval for interim assessments districtwide.

Did you know that as many as 25,000 individuals volunteer in schools across our district annually? Parents, community volunteers and partners serving Seattle Public Schools students play an important role in our efforts to ensure educational excellence and eliminate opportunity gaps.

The Seattle School Board adopted the 2017-18 school calendar at the June 7, 2017, board meeting.

At the March 21 Seattle Public Schools School Board meeting, Seattle Parks and Recreation was recognized as a Premiere Partner for the My Brother’s Keeper program.

Seattle Public Schools recognizes that decades of deeply embedded bias requires more than policy to undo institutionalized and structural racism. Institutionalizing racial equity in all schools requires transforming our practices and beliefs. Racial Equity Teams are one strategy that we are using to do this critical work.

Seattle Public Schools is seeking parents, community members, and students to join district staff in the Student Assignment Plan Task Force to help review the Student Assignment Plan and most recent Student Assignment Transition Plan and develop recommendations for an equity focused enrollment and student assignment process. Apply today! The application deadline is March 19, 2018.

Seattle Public Schools prioritizes student safety. It is our goal to prevent emergencies from happening, therefore all lethal or potentially lethal statements, whether verbal or written (including electronic) are to be taken seriously and investigated.

Every March, Seattle Public Schools administers the SAT, the college admission test, to juniors during school hours. The test date for this school year is Wed., March 7, 2018.

February is Career and Technical Education month, an opportunity to highlight the achievements of programs in our district and across the country that help students prepare for the college, career and life.

February is Black History Month, a month dedicated to remembering important people and events in African American communities around the world.

With this new service you can opt-in to receive text messages on a cellular phone number that is on record with your student’s school.

Seattle Public Schools is seeking members for the Family Engagement Task Force, which will convene from February until May 2018. The application deadline is Feb. 19, 2018.

Through the event, in its third consecutive year, the district helped families register new students as well as answer questions about the registration process; school choice; option, alternative and service schools; highly capable and special education services.

Welcoming schools and classrooms are places where students’ language, culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and unique abilities are viewed as assets. February offers opportunities to reinforce our commitment to providing this foundation to student success including Black History Month and National African American Parent Involvement Day.

Seattle Public Schools high school students will see increased credit and assessment requirements with the change in state law requiring 24 credits to graduate.

Our EOG work is a focused effort to provide access and opportunities to our students who have historically been underserved. For the fourth consecutive year, the Seattle School Board has made this a priority and targeted specific funding to implement concrete initiatives and strategies.

Schools around Seattle Public Schools celebrated the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Enrollment for the 2018-19 school year began Mon., Jan. 8.

Throughout November, we celebrate American Indian Heritage Month as an opportunity to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, histories, and acknowledge the important contributions of America's first peoples.

In response to students' needs, Seattle Public Schools is introducing new state health education standards for self identity in several elementary schools this fall.

Recently the English Language Learners (ELL) department introduced an upcoming policy to affirm rights to translation and interpretation. Though this action is mandated by state and federal law, our district has many supports in place, and seeks to put a policy in place to continue the great work already happening across our schools and central office.

In support of improved partnerships and alignment on Thursday, Sept. 28, more than 80 people from a variety of community-based organizations that partner with Seattle Public Schools (SPS) came together for the Fall Partner Kick-Off at the New Holly Gathering Hall in Seattle.

The Source, Schoology and other student tools can be found with the link called "Student Portal" on Seattle Public Schools district and school websites.

Many school bell schedules will change this fall. Schools will also have a 75-minute early release every Wednesday (except the first day of school).

This summer our district and school websites are receiving a major facelift. Our first priority for the website redesign project is to ensure families, students, staff, and community can easily find critical district and school resources.

A recent partnership between two John Muir educators, Seattle chefs, and a local nonprofit is just one of the many inspiring examples of how our teachers are changing the lives of their students.

The Changing the Narrative cooking class developed out of a larger project at the school to help work with educators, students, families, and community partners to collaboratively change perceptions and dispel negative stereotypes about black men. Now these boys are working to give back to their school community so a group of next year’s fifth graders can have the same opportunity.

Seattle Skills Center is teaming up with the Seattle Maritime Academy to help train tomorrow's mariners. Every day, Seattle Public Schools is working with our community partners to help students thrive and eliminate opportunity gaps.

Magnolia Elementary School is scheduled to open as an attendance area elementary school in Fall 2019 to help relieve capacity challenges and accommodate future growth in Queen Anne and Magnolia.

Eliminating opportunity gaps is the issue of our time. Under the leadership of Superintendent Nyland, the entire school district is focused on developing strategies to ensure each student is known, challenged, and supported. Substitute teachers are taking up this challenge with culturally responsive teaching.

From time to time, our normal operating hours or transportation services may be adjusted due to ice or snow.

If inclement weather makes a schedule change necessary, the decision will be communicated through the following methods: phone calls, email messages, social media, and local news channels.

Seattle Public Schools is committed to educating children regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, country of origin, or a student’s immigration status. We will do whatever it takes to make sure every student thrives and I want to reassure you, we will do everything within our power to make sure that all of our children are safe, honored, and respected while in our care.

The Washington State Legislature’s failure to adequately address public education funding may result in a significant budget shortfall next school year. In 2017-18, the district’s ability to serve students in the way they deserve will be challenged. Unless the Legislature takes appropriate action to address school funding, the district has a projected deficit of approximately $74 million for the 2017-18 school year. This is the largest budget deficit we have faced since the late 1970s and has the potential to erode many of the programs, supports, and services students are currently receiving.

The 2016 State of the District drew hundreds of attendees on November 7, 2016. Moving at a lively pace, the event alternated between updates on progress, examples of success and challenges, and student performance.

The emcee, Zachary Stowell, Assistant Principal of Catherine Blaine K-8 explained that the State of the District event was “about telling the story of Seattle Public Schools, students and the community; a story of hope, social justice and a commitment to ensure that every single student in our thriving city is successful.”

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Seattle Education Association (SEA) are united in our commitment to the success of every student in every classroom, every day.

An unwavering commitment to ensuring racial equity in education anchors our work. This commitment was demonstrated last week with the launch of the #CloseTheGaps campaign and highlighted on Wednesday, October 19 as educators across the district led conversations and lessons with their students focused on racial equity and social justice.

Eliminating opportunity gaps and ensuring educational excellence for each and every student is the issue of our time.

As a result, we are announcing a new campaign that demonstrates our collective commitment to eliminating opportunity gaps and accelerating learning for all students—specifically for our black students and other students of color. The campaign is called #CloseTheGaps. We are kicking it off the week of October 16-22, 2016, and we are asking you to join us.

Seattle Public Schools, along with the Puget Sound Educational Service District and neighboring districts, have committed to addressing chronic absenteeism.

Attendance has been proven to be one of the most powerful predictors of academic achievement and can have a dramatic impact on key milestones, including third grade reading, 9th grade achievement, high school graduation, and life success.

The recommendations were informed in part by surveys of more than 1,500 families as well as student focus groups.

Garfield and Roosevelt High Schools were recently ranked among Niche’s top ten “2016 Best Public High Schools in Seattle Metro.”

Seattle Public Schools is pleased to announce the launch of its Accessible Educational Resources Portal for technology, communication and educational resources.

The portal is now linked from every Seattle Public Schools website, including the district and school sites, on the bottom of every page with the link titled "Non-Discrimination Statement."

Join us for "A Community Conversation to Impact Educational Inequities: An Introduction to the Mayor's Educational Summit" on March 15.

This meeting is hosted by Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators, the City of Seattle, Seattle Public Schools and the United Black Christian Clergy.

The Department of School Family Partnerships and African American Male Scholars Think Tank is hosting regional community meetings to inform and get feedback from students, families, school staff and community stakeholders about the African American Male Scholars Initiative, to inform recommendations to the superintendent.

School vaccination regulations in Washington state have changed for the upcoming 2016-17 school year. The Washington State Department of Health now requires two doses of chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine for all students in grades K through 12.

Students who do not have two doses of vaccine by the start of classes in September, 2016, could be excluded from school. Find out what you need to do!

Seattle Public Schools welcomed Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators and Dr. Ivory Toldson White House Deputy Director to John Stanford Center for a recent symposium dedicated to closing the Opportunity Gap for African American males and other students of color.

Superintendent Larry Nyland is looking to recruit new members for the district's African American Male Scholars Advisory Committee to the Superintendent for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years.

The nomination deadline for recruits is Friday, February 19, 2016.

Twenty three Seattle Public Schools are being recognized with Washington Achievement Awards from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

The awards acknowledge the schools for improvements in areas including reading, English, math and overall outstanding academic success.

Mercer International School has continued its success, earning the award for the past several years and  honors this year in three categories: overall excellence, reading growth and math growth.

The Creative Advantage is a partnership between Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture that aims to ensure that every student at every district school has the opportunity to learn through the arts every year, from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Noah Zeichner, who teaches Global Leadership, American Government and Theory of Knowledge at Chief Sealth International High School, is one of only 50 teachers worldwide named a finalist for the Global Teacher Prize. The prize recognizes “one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession” and comes with a $1 million award.

James Whittaker let students in on the secret to getting rich and solving the world’s problems at the same time: coding.

“The new lower classes are going to be the people who can’t code,” Whittaker told a Java class at Ingraham High School on Dec. 8 to kick off Computer Science Education Week. Whittaker is a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft.

The Ballard High School Talisman newspaper was named a finalist for the prestigious Pacemaker award, sometimes referred to as the Pulitzer Prize of scholastic journalism. It was the first time The Talisman placed at a national level.

As indicated in our last letter addressing the inadvertent release of student information by our now former law firm, Seattle Public Schools obtained a court order to recover the records from the one individual who received them.

The student information that was given to a parent by mistake includes directory information on over 7,400 students, including date of birth, grade and school assignment. The files also include student identification numbers, special education assignments, disability categories and special education transportation information. We believe this information includes substantially all of the special education students in the district.

Recreating a Lego minifigure in 3-D, down to every precisely measured ridge and notch, is remarkably complex.

"Riffing on the Dream," the provocative film created by Chief Sealth International High School's Black Student Union, won the Gold Jury Prize for Youth Visions at the third annual Social Justice Film Festival.

Late Tuesday night Seattle Public Schools learned that a law firm retained by the district to handle a complaint against the district inadvertently sent personally identifiable student information to an individual involved in the case.

The district promptly removed the law firm from the case and is working to ensure that all improperly released records are retrieved or destroyed.

Connectors University, a 10-week series of classes offered by Seattle Public Schools. The idea is to empower families with information on how to navigate the school system, how to create a college-going culture, and how to support children’s academic success. Participants become “connectors” between their schools, their students and the larger community.

Eleven Seattle schools are among the winners of the 2014 School of Distinction award, which recognizes schools with the highest sustained improvements in reading and math over the previous five years.

Three short films by students from the Ballard High School Digital Filmmaking Program were winners at Fresh Film Northwest. This competitive regional festival is coordinated by the Northwest Film Center in Portland, Oregon.

Students in Chief Sealth International High School’s Black Student Union had question for their fellow students: What questions do you have for us?

District directs career-planning firm to destroy all student data.

Seattle Public Schools previously partnered with a company to assist students, parents and school counselors in career planning and to create authentic High School and Beyond plans, a state graduation requirement.

Frank E. Inslee died Monday night. The father of Gov. Jay Inslee inspired thousands of Seattle Public Schools students as a biology teacher, high school coach and athletic director for the district.

While bouncing from foster families to homeless shelters, a Chief Sealth student still somehow managed to find dressy clothes to wear to class. The girl knew that to stay in the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, she was required to don business attire on Tuesdays.

Leadership at Seattle Public Schools understands the value of overnight field trips for our students. We also place a high priority on student safety both at school and on school-sanctioned trips. In light of recent events, the district updated our field trip policies and increased training for staff to help ensure student safety.

Beth Fortune, who teaches Orchestra and Eclectic Strings at Washington Middle School is one of only 25 semi-finalists nationwide for the 2015 Grammy Music Educator Award. She was selected from 7,000 applicants.

Lyon Terry, a 4th grade teacher at Lawton Elementary, was today named Washington State's Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made by State Superintendent Randy Dorn at a celebration at EMP that included Terry and eight fellow regional award winners.

All Seattle Public School students in grades K–12 will be able to access their personal email accounts from district computers beginning this fall. This change comes at the request of district principals with approval of senior leadership.