Franklin High School
WashingtonFranklin High School, a Beaux-Arts style building constructed in 1911, was originally thought of as the finest school west of the Mississippi. The school building is adorned with rich details, including coffered ceilings, terra cotta details, brass clocks and beautiful high windows. By the 1980`s, the school was plagued with problems, including asbestos, a crumbling foundation, leaking roof and obsolete mechanical and electrical systems. The Seattle Public School District set forth a plan to raze Franklin High School and build a new replacement school, but thanks to the efforts of the Committee to Save Franklin High School, the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board, students and area residents, Franklin High School was preserved and once again thrives as an exceptional historic neighborhood school.
The school underwent a number of upgrades to accommodate 21st century educational needs and codes. Classroom plans were redesigned to accommodate flexible modern methods of instruction, including team teaching. During the renovation work, which took two years to complete, a new 80,000 square foot addition was constructed. The renovation initiative included bringing the school up to seismic code. The school is now designed to withstand tremblers measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale. As a result, Franklin High School was unharmed following the Nisqually Earthquake of 2001.
Today, Franklin High School is among the newest and best-equipped high schools in the school district. The state-of-the-art educational facility has a magnet humanities program. In addition, Franklin High School, which is located on a hill, serves as a landmark in its surrounding neighborhood. The community is very proud of the school and has continuously supported it. Fearful that their newly renovated school would be vandalized, students camped on the school grounds in the days leading up to the reopening to ensure its protection.
Date of Construction: 1911
Date of Renovation: 1988 - 1990
Total Renovation Cost: $16.5 Million
For more information contact:
Mr. Jon Wilbeck
Marketing Coordinator
Bassetti Architects
71 Columbia Street, Suite 500
Seattle, Washington 98104
www.bassettiarch.com
Mr. John Jackson
Principal
Franklin High School
3013 Mount Baker Boulevard
Seattle, Washington 98144
www.seattleschools.org
Ms. Cathy Thomas
Vice Principal
Franklin High School
3013 Mount Baker Boulevard
Seattle, Washington 98144
www.seattleschools.org
