Education

Axios Seattle

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Seattle Public Schools considers merging up to 21 schools

Seattle Public Schools is considering merging as many as 21 schools across the city. Why it matters: The potential mergers could force students to change schools, disrupt neighborhood school communities and reshape access to educational programs across the district. State of play: The district is grappling with declining enrollment and a persistent budget crisis that forced it to make cuts and tap reserves to close an $87 million shortfall for the 2026-27 school year. "Everything has to be on the table," Superintendent Ben Shuldiner told KIRO Newsradio in May. Zoom in: The district confirmed to KUOW that the following schools are being considered for mergers, with each line showing which schools could be combined: Licton Springs K-8 School/Salmon Bay K-8 School Sacajawea Elementary School/John Rogers Elementary School Rainier View Elementary School/Rising Star Elementary School John Hay Elementary School/Queen Anne Elementary School Stevens Elementary School/Montlake Elementary School Orca K-8 School/MLK Jr. Elementary School/Mercer International Middle School Decatur Elementary School/View Ridge Elementary School Sanislo Elementary/Highland Park Elementary School Sand Point Elementary School/Laurelhurst Elementary School Cedar Park Elementary School/James Baldwin Elementary School Driving the news: Shuldiner outlined the merger process in a letter to families last week, saying the district hopes to improve