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john muir es early learning addition
Seattle, WA
under construction

Seattle Public Schools is constructing a 4-classroom addition to the existing John Muir Elementary School, intended to house three preschool classrooms and one dedicated room for before- and after-school care, increasing the Early Learning program capacity from 20 to 60 students, to provide no-cost child care to an area of Seattle that is currently underserved.

The entry is designed to be joyful and welcoming to families—showcasing student artwork with a tile mural—and to allow for movement from classrooms to the dedicated outdoor play area. Support spaces for teachers include storage, a kitchenette, laundry area and office. Care was taken to respect the scale and texture of the existing gabled brick building, to preserve existing historic trees and to create a rich and varied outdoor play space. A beloved grouping of boulders in the front of the school has been relocated to the playground to ensure students’ continued access.

Additionally, renovations are planned for a portion of the existing school built in 1971, converting it from an open concept layout to three separate classrooms. Site enhancements will include improvements to the loading dock, bicycle parking facilities, a bicycle garden, and upgrades to the right-of-way curb ramp for improved accessibility.