Once known as Green Acres, Arbor Heights is now a vibrant neighborhood in West Seattle. It is the southernmost section of West Seattle. Today we are exploring Arbor Heights Elementary School. This school is more than just a place of learning. It is a community hub with a rich history.
The story of Arbor Heights Elementary begins long before the school was built. In the early 20th century, the area south of Fauntleroy was sparsely populated. Residents of Green Acres, as it was then known, formed their own church and community club. In 1938, the Arbor Heights Improvement Club sought a school for local children. Youngsters had to walk a mile down a steep hill to Fauntleroy School.
Their dream took several years to materialize. The club bought property in 1940 to build a playground. In 1947, they formally requested a school building. The King County School Board initially stated that no suitable land was available. The community club responded by selling them the playground property. Construction began in 1948 by the Seattle School District. The school initially had four classrooms with a connecting hallway. This design allowed for future expansion.
Even before its official opening, Arbor Heights Elementary played a crucial role. In April 1948, earthquake damage closed Lafayette Elementary. To accommodate Lafayette’s students, Arbor Heights classes moved into their new building. This happened even though it was not yet complete. The grounds were muddy and blackboards arrived late.
That fall, an annex was needed for younger children. From October 1949 to June 1950, 23 students met at the Arbor Heights Improvement Club. The teacher even received a 64-year-old bell from the old Denny School.
In 1950, four classrooms were added to resolve overcrowding. This addition was a reusable semi-permanent structure. In 1953, an auditorium, lunchroom and gymnasium were added. Enrollment reached nearly 500 students in grades K-6.
By 1954, Arbor Heights became part of Seattle. The school was again overcrowded. Fifth and sixth-grade classes operated in double shifts. In 1956, nearby Roxbury Heights was annexed. Between 225 and 250 students transferred to Arbor Heights and Roxhill. Nine portable classrooms were installed. In 1958, an addition of 12 classrooms completed the school’s expansion. Enrollment topped 800 in the early 1960s.
In 1978-1979, Arbor Heights became a K, 4-6 school. It was paired with Van Asselt, a K-3 school. Gatewood joined the pair the following year. This triad aimed to promote desegregation. In 1985-1986, Arbor Heights and Van Asselt returned to their earlier pairing. All kindergarten classes were housed at Arbor Heights.
In 2014, the original building was demolished. Students were relocated to Boren. The new building includes sustainable features. Outdoor features encourage physical activity and learning. Arbor Heights Elementary reopened in September 2016. It opened two years ahead of schedule and under budget. The 89,000-square-foot school accommodates up to 660 students. It fosters connections between students, the community, and the environment. The school implements an Environmental Science Technology Engineering Math program. It houses four small learning communities with individual classrooms. These surround an open shared learning area and an Idea Lab.
In 2017, Arbor Heights received a grand prize for outstanding design. The design promotes individualized learning areas. These areas support the needs of twenty-first-century education.
Today, Arbor Heights Elementary continues to thrive. The school’s enrollment in the fall of 2021 was 535. The school is situated on over 4 acres. It features an extensive playground. The playground was named after Jackie Keegan in 2006. She was a longtime administrative assistant. Arbor Heights Elementary has a rich history and a bright future. It stands as a testament to community collaboration. It is also a commitment to innovative education.