School District plans for the Ronald School building

Shoreline Schools web page

What are the current plans for the historic Ronald School building?


Ronald School was originally constructed as a four-room schoolhouse in 1912 and later expanded to its current eight-classroom configuration in 1926. It was used for school purposes for almost 60 years, until 1971. The School District has allowed it to be used by the Shoreline Historical Museum since 1976. It is currently a City of Shoreline landmark structure.

The School Board has selected preferred conceptual designs for both Shorewood and Shorecrest High Schools. At Shorewood, the conceptual design incorporates the historic Ronald School in a meaningful way into the new school, and at the same time bridging the past history of Shoreline with the new school building by proposing to share the space with the Shoreline Historical Museum.

Would the museum stay in the building if it were incorporated into a new Shorewood?


Yes, the conceptual schematic design for Shorewood includes spaces for visual and performing arts and for the Museum.

So the Museum hasn’t been evicted?


There is no eviction of the Shoreline Historical Museum. Even if the Museum was to leave Ronald School, the earliest construction at Shorewood could begin is 2011.



Proposed site plan for Shoreline High School

Would the building be torn down?


NO, nor would the District want to have Ronald School demolished. It is a City of Shoreline official historical landmark, and as such is a protected structure.

What would a restoration of the historic Ronald School look like?

The conceptual plans for Shorewood High School incorporates the Ronald School into the design, bridging the historic landmark structure with the brand new building. The plan proposes Shorewood to use the upper two floors for visual and performing arts to support the school’s award-winning programs, while the lower level would be renovated to accommodate Shoreline Historical Museum exhibition space.

The District has hired Bassetti Architects, a firm with extensive experience in historic buildings. Since 1947, Bassetti has been the architect for many well-loved and long-lived Seattle buildings. This includes the historical renovation and restoration of several schools and buildings, including the Pike Place Market, Town Hall and Trinity Church. Roosevelt High School, the Latona (John Stanford International) School, Franklin High School and West Seattle High School in the Seattle School District; Guggenheim Hall and Mary Gates Hall at the University of Washington, and Stadium High School in Tacoma also feature Bassetti designs involving restoration of historic structures.

At Stadium the grand historic structure, originally built as a hotel in the 1890s, was brought into the 21st century with complete seismic, life safety, mechnical, electrical, ADA, and technology upgrades. Exhaustive research by Bassetti combined with careful design allowed the modern amenities to blend seamlessly with the beloved landmark “castle.” Bassetti Architects received the 2007 Valerie Sivinski Award for Historic Preservation for its work on Stadium.

At Roosevelt (pictured), Bassetti designed a remarkable renovation of the 1921 historic building, including the transformation of the three-story school auditorium in a new library and learning resource center space.

Lorne McConachie, principal of Bassetti Architects, has served for eight years on the Seattle Historic Preservation Board – including six years as chair. He has also served on the Pioneer Square Preservation Board for three years - currently as vice-chair.

If the Ronald School were left as present, without seismic retrofit, what would have to be done to ensure the safety of Shorewood High School students?

The District has been advised that to protect students, a new Shorewood High School would have to be set back at least 45 feet on all three sides from the Ronald School, which is an unreinforced brick masonry building. Any decision on setbacks between Shorewood and Ronald, including barriers to keep students away from that area, would need to be resolved during the planning process, which makes these types of planning decisions.