Jackson Elementary families on Everett's west side will send their children to a brand-new $54 million school this fall, replacing a structure students have used since 1948.

The old building lacked accessibility features, had dim lighting and narrow hallways. Construction crews were still installing wiring in the new cafeteria as of July 7, according to the Everett Herald, but the building along Charles Avenue is on track to open for the 2026-27 school year. It is the first complete school rebuild in Everett Public Schools since North Middle School opened in 2019.

What's new

The replacement building has a smaller footprint than the old school but adds six classrooms, eliminating the need for portables. New features include a cafeteria, library, kitchen, elevators, wider walkways, breakout spaces, a bright central staircase, improved security, and doors between classrooms of similar grades to allow teacher collaboration.

Classroom walls are surfaced so teachers can thumbtack student artwork directly to them.

"The building had served us well," said Steven Krause, senior construction manager at Everett Public Schools. "But we're going to be much, much better suited with this one for what we need to support education."

The design team wove the school's mascot throughout the building. Jackson Elementary's teams are the Silvers, named after coho salmon. Hallways curve subtly like rivers, artistic mosaics depict salmon jumping a waterfall, and an informational graphic on the ground floor will show the salmon life cycle.

The numbers

The $54 million project is funded by a $326 million capital levy Everett voters approved in 2022. Darcy Walker, director of capital projects for Everett Public Schools, said the district prioritized durability over flash.

"I respect people's tax dollars. I want to make sure that we build the best building we can, last as long as we can, and yet maybe not have our architects win awards," Walker told the Herald.

What happens next

The project is being built in phases. The main school building opens this fall, but a new gym will be constructed where the old elementary stands. Walker said the gym and a new parking area and drop-off loop are expected to open in 2027. The drop-off loop is designed to keep cars off the usually quiet residential road during morning and afternoon rushes.

Four giant oak trees that have stood in front of the school for decades will remain in place.

The district plans to complete demolition of the old Jackson Elementary building this summer. The district's tentative first day for grades 1-12 is Wednesday, Sept. 2, pending collective bargaining; confirmed dates will be posted at everettsd.org.

Parents, former students, and neighbors said their goodbyes to the old building at a farewell event on Saturday, June 13. The next time families walk through school doors on Charles Avenue, it will be into a building Walker says should last another 80 years.