Seattle Public Schools considers merging up to 21 schools
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Seattle Public Schools is considering merging as many as 21 schools across the city.
Why it matters: The potential mergers could force students to change schools, disrupt neighborhood school communities and reshape access to educational programs across the district.
State of play: The district is grappling with declining enrollment and a persistent budget crisis that forced it to make cuts and tap reserves to close an $87 million shortfall for the 2026-27 school year.
- "Everything has to be on the table," Superintendent Ben Shuldiner told KIRO Newsradio in May.
Zoom in: The district confirmed to KUOW that the following schools are being considered for mergers, with each line showing which schools could be combined:
- Licton Springs K-8 School/Salmon Bay K-8 School
- Sacajawea Elementary School/John Rogers Elementary School
- Rainier View Elementary School/Rising Star Elementary School
- John Hay Elementary School/Queen Anne Elementary School
- Stevens Elementary School/Montlake Elementary School
- Orca K-8 School/MLK Jr. Elementary School/Mercer International Middle School
- Decatur Elementary School/View Ridge Elementary School
- Sanislo Elementary/Highland Park Elementary School
- Sand Point Elementary School/Laurelhurst Elementary School
- Cedar Park Elementary School/James Baldwin Elementary School
Driving the news: Shuldiner outlined the merger process in a letter to families last week, saying the district hopes to improve educational opportunities by combining smaller schools.
- The district has identified 10 potential merger groupings involving 21 schools, most of them elementary schools.
- The district says consolidating schools could reduce split-grade classrooms, improve learning spaces and give more students access to specialist teachers.
- No final decisions have been made, and the district says it plans to consult families and staff before presenting recommendations to the School Board.
Catch up quick: In 2024, the district proposed closing as many as 21 schools to help address a projected $94 million budget deficit.
- After widespread opposition, officials scaled the plan back to four schools before abandoning it altogether.
- Three of those four schools — Sacajawea, Sanislo and Stevens — are again being considered for mergers.
What they're saying: Parents are expressing mixed reactions, from frustration to acceptance.
- Jessica Jones, co-president of Orca K-8's parent-teacher-student association, told KUOW the PTSA board anticipated a merger and had already discussed potential partner schools with Shuldiner.
What's next: Staff and family meetings will run through December, followed by public hearings in January and February with the School Board potentially voting by early March.
- Students whose schools close would get priority during open enrollment, with the transfer deadline extended one week beyond the vote, said Shuldiner.