Roosevelt High School

Opened in 1922, Roosevelt High School stands as a landmark in Seattle’s Roosevelt neighborhood. The school’s name, a tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt, echoes through its halls and across its athletic fields, where the Rough Riders compete. Roosevelt High School wasn’t just built to educate. It was designed to impress. The initial plans, deemed extravagant by some in 1920, included a 1,500-seat auditorium and separate gymnasiums for boys and girls. The auditorium, one of the largest on the West Coast at the time, served as a testament to the school’s ambition and the community’s vision. Roosevelt High School even boasts black walnut trees from Roosevelt’s Oyster Bay Estate, planted on the front lawn, connecting this Seattle institution to the president’s own roots. Inside, a mosaic seal, a gift from the Class of 1932, proudly displays the school’s motto: “What I am to be I am now becoming.” Two stone owls perch above the front entrance, silent guardians symbolizing knowledge and wisdom. Roosevelt High School has a rich history of student activities. The award-winning newspaper, The News, has been a student voice for decades. The yearbook, Strenuous Life, named after Roosevelt’s famous philosophy, has chronicled student life since 1923. The Rough Riders, Roosevelt High School’s athletic teams, have a legacy of their own. The boys’ basketball team has clinched three state championships, in 1946, 1973, and 1982. In 2016, the boys’ golf team celebrated an undefeated season with a metro, district, and state championship. The school’s vibrant music program also deserves a mention. The Roosevelt Jazz Band has frequently made it to the finals of the Essentially Ellington Competition in New York City. They even secured first place in 2002, 2007, 2008, and 2019. Roosevelt High School’s drama program stands out as the only full-time program in the Seattle School District. With eight periods of drama offered daily, students can explore directing, acting, technical theater, and musical theater. Even during renovations from 2004 to 2006, when classes were temporarily held at Lincoln High School, the spirit of Roosevelt High School remained strong. The seismic retrofitting, modernization, and expansion preserved the school’s original architectural elements, ensuring that the history embedded within its walls would continue to inspire future generations. From its early days as a “million dollar school” to its current status as a pillar of the community, Roosevelt High School continues to shape the lives of its students and the landscape of Seattle.