Class sizes to be reduced in K-3 - most kindergartens to be temporarily relocated

From Shoreline Public Schools

On Monday, March 4, the Shoreline school board approved implementation of smaller class sizes in kindergarten through third grade classrooms beginning next year. This plan allows our schools to continue eligibility for nearly $30 million in state funding to reduce class sizes in those grades to approximately 20 students per teacher.

While the reduced class sizes will have many short and long-term benefits for students, there will be some temporary challenges for many incoming kindergarten families next year.

In order to create enough classrooms to accommodate the smaller class sizes, we will temporarily relocate most 2019-2020 kindergarten classrooms to either Meridian Park Elementary School or the North City Elementary campus.

The kindergarten sites’ administrators and staff will provide the students with that same level of love, care and amazing educational experience as they would receive at their neighborhood school.

All kindergarten classes from Echo Lake, Highland Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Ridgecrest and Syre will be temporarily relocated to either Meridian Park or North City for next school year.

Some Briarcrest, Brookside and Parkwood kindergarten students will also be relocated to one of the kindergarten sites.

At this time, it appears we will be able to keep Cascade K-8 and Meridian Park kindergarten classes at their schools. If this changes, those incoming kindergarten families will be communicated with directly.

We anticipate all elementary students will attend their neighborhood school in the 2020-2021 school year when the sixth grade moves to middle school, creating more capacity at our neighborhood elementary schools.

This information, along with additional details specific to kindergarten families, will be emailed to all incoming kindergarten families on Monday, March 11 when their registrations are uploaded into our system. A list of frequently asked question will be created and updated as questions emerge.

Shoreline Schools is in a very fortunate position to be able to implement these class size reductions by having the North City Elementary campus available to house classrooms next school year. 

We believe the reduced class sizes will result in higher levels of academic and behavioral success for our students as they enter and progress through elementary school.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Assistant Superintendent Brian Schultz at 206-393-4365 or brian.schultz@shorelineschools.org