Northgate (now Baldwin)
Northgate Elementary School Replacement Project
School renamed James Baldwin Elementary School
The existing school building has been replaced with a new school building with a new name on the same site.
James Baldwin Elementary School opened for students on September 6, 2023.
Notice
Seattle Public Utilities will be working on a Natural Drainage System (NDS) along NW 120th Street and NW 117th Street around James Baldwin Elementary.
If you have questions regarding this work, please contact Seattle Public Utilities. More information is available on the city’s website.
Opening Celebration
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the new school on Aug. 31, 2023. Read the story.
Photos from the event are below.
Recent Progress
Progress updates are posted for the previous month
Major activity in January 2024
- Continued play yard traffic garden striping.
- Completed installation of play structures in lower play yard, with PreK play equipment scheduled for installation the week of mid-winter break.
Major activity planned for February 2024
- Complete PreK play structure installation.
- Complete commissioning.
- Complete play yard traffic garden stripping.
Project Photos
About the Project
The new two-story elementary school building will provide the spaces and resources that students need for academic success. The approximately 95,000 square foot school will meet the district’s elementary educational specifications and provide space for up to 650 students. A collaborative process resulted in a building designed to fit into the neighborhood. It will provide outdoor learning, play, and recreation areas.
The new school has been designed to provide an equitable, safe, and inspiring learning environment for the entire school community. Learning clusters will have classrooms surrounding learning commons.
Sustainable Design and Construction
In keeping with SPS’s clean energy goals, operation of the new school will not require any fossil fuels. In addition, the roof is designed to accommodate solar panels, which could offset 80% of the building’s energy use in the future.
Features to reduce energy use:
- Geothermal heating
- Highly efficient ventilation that recovers heat before air leaves the school
- Energy-efficient LED lighting
- Highly insulated walls and roofs
- High performance fiberglass windows
Other sustainable design strategies:
- Storm water management with rain gardens
- Native and drought-resistant plantings
- Shielded site lighting to reduce light pollution
- Demolition and construction debris sorted and recycled
Projected Energy Use Index (EUI): 17.3
Design Firm: NAC Architecture
General Contractor/Construction Management: Lydig Construction
Project Budget: $90.3M
Funding Source: Funded by the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy, approved by Seattle voters in 2019.
School Design Advisory Team: Learn about the School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) process and read meeting minutes.
Contact Us
Let’s Talk for Project Questions
Project Manager: Amanda Fulford, asfulford1@lfkgw.com, 206-252-0697
James Baldwin Elementary School
11725 1st Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98125