Capitol Hill is getting back its middle school in 2017, but there are a lot of questions to answer before it opens. Will students attend based purely on their elementary school or can home address play a factor? Who will be the principal? Can the school have an arts or technology focus?
And, perhaps most importantly, what will be the Meany Middle School mascot?
Parents gathered in the school’s 21st and E Republican Meany library last week to hear from the district about how it plans to answer some of those questions and the next steps for re-creating the new school.
“We are a very diverse city and we want a school that represents that, and serves it,” said Andy Jensen, father of two Meany-bound children. Jensen is part of a group with Meany-bound kids part of a Facebook group to connect future Meany parents ahead of the start of the 2017-2018 school year.
Catchment areas have long been a top concern for parents when it comes to Meany. For most families, students from Stevens and Lowell would join those from Gatzert, Madrona (K-8), McGilvra, and Montlake in the new school. (UPDATE: “Montlake, Leschi, Stevens, Lowell, and McGilvra. Madrona K-8 middle school-aged students will be included if the Seattle School Board approves that boundary in May or September,” Jensen clarified in comments, below). However, some families near school boundaries said they want the option to choose a school that may be closer to their homes. The Seattle school board ultimately make a final call on catchment areas in a decision expected to come by this fall at the latest. Continue reading →