Capital Projects

Building our Future

Our community's $157 million investment in Franklin Pierce Schools will impact our kids, our schools and our community. Building our Future is not only about building buildings, but about developing facilities that help build learners that contribute to the world, build schools that facilitate high-quality public education, and build community by instilling a sense of pride and connectivity.

Bond Overview

In 2016, Franklin Pierce residents voted to approve a $157 million bond measure to improve facilities across the district. Voters made clear throughout the process that the district should prioritize investment in safety and security, affordable upgrades in elementary schools and projects that serve a wide variety of student, staff and community needs. Bond projects will be completed between 2017 and 2023.

Our Approach

An FPS 2030 Committee met for three years prior to the passing of the 2016 bond in order to articulate the priorities of future projects. The group committed to a community-driven process that sought input from stakeholders throughout the community. 2030 members articulated a desire to facilitate projects that prioritize safety, fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency.

Completed Projects

Learning Walls Phase 3

Classrooms look and function differently than they did five, ten and 20 years ago. Learning walls open up opportunities for teachers to incorporate digital literacy and dynamic learning in their classroom. By syncing computers, cameras and audio/video devices seamlessly with learning walls, students and teachers can participate in real-time collaborative learning experiences that help learning to come alive in new ways.

Washington High School STEM Academy (State Funding)

Washingon High School is home to one of the area's premier STEM facilities. The STEM Academy is meant to function as a work-like environment, where students come to learn, develop skills and prepare themselves for 21st Century careers. The STEM Academy includes two state of the art labratories, open PNW timber designs and several features that showcase Science Technology Engineering and Math concepts.

Covered Playsheds at Elmhurst, Christensen and Midland Elementary

Ford Middle School Gymnasium

The Ford Middle School Gymnasium is a premier middle school facility in the Puget Sound region. This facility will serve as a hub for physical educaiton, recreation, athletics and a resource for the Midland community. Following several delays in the beginning of the project, the facility is complete and will be open for the 2019-2020 academic year.

New Collins Elementary

In order to prioritize efficiency, five new schools will be designed using one prototypical model. While each school will have different colors, exterior materials and entrance designs, the overall layout and systems design for each facility will be the same.

Collins Elementary will move from 128th and Bingham Rd. to the corner of 128th St. and 18th Ave. Franklin Pierce Schools purchased this land to space and utility limitations at the current site. Site preparation for the new Collins Elementary site began in the Fall of 2018 and construction for the project began in April 2019. The new Collins Elementary is scheduled to open for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The old Collins Elementary building will remain operational for a use to be later determined by the Franklin Pierce Schools administration and Board of Directors.

New Harvard Elementary

Harvard Elementary will be built on undeveloped space at the current Harvard site. Four lots were purchased on Portland Avenue to expand the footprint of the campus and to open up opportunities for parking, student dropoff and pickup, and traffic flow. Construction for the project will begin in June 2019. The new school is schedule to open for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The old Harvard facility will be demolished during the 2020-2021 academic year.

New James Sales Elementary

James Sales Elementary will be built on undeveloped space at the current James Sales site. Construction for the project will begin in June 2019. The new school is schedule to open for the 2020-2021 academic year. The students and staff at Brookdale Elementary are schedule to move to the old James Sales facility during the 2020-2021 academic year while the new Brookdale Elementary is being built. The old James Sales facility will be demolished during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Phase II Hewins ELC

The Dr. Frank Hewins Early Learning Center supports all early learning programs across Franklin Pierce Schools. Originally Parkland Methodist Church, Franklin Pierce Schools purchased the property and building in 2015 and opened in 2016 after extensive renovations. While the center currently supports over 300 students, there is growing demand for early learning in our region. The Phase II renovation, sheduled to take place between Summer 2019-Spring 2020, will add six classrooms and administrative space to increase the facility's capacity.

New Central Avenue Elementary

New Brookdale Elementary School

GATES High School at Historic Collins (Federal Funding)

GATES High School was previously located next to Brookdale Elementary School on 132 St. South. In 2023, the building that used to house Collins Elementary located at 128th St. South and Bingham Ave. was renovated to house GATES High School and the Franklin Pierce Schools Endeavor (Transition) Program. GATES and Endeavor students began utilizing the newly renovated space in Fall 2023!

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