Oak Heights Elementary Opens New Campus with Nature-Inspired Design
A newly completed elementary school in Snohomish County emphasizes outdoor integration and thematic learning environments. The campus organizes its interior around animal-inspired floor zones: badger-themed areas occupy the ground level, butterfly motifs mark the second floor, and bat-themed spaces anchor the third. A dedicated library wing evokes forest immersion, with tall pines visible through large windows and integrated into the reading nooks.
Most classrooms feature direct outdoor access, and an elevated pedestrian bridge connects parts of the campus, reinforcing the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Community members gathered in early October for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and building tours, marking the official debut of the facility that welcomed approximately 520 students at the start of the academic year.
Principal Jessica Asp observed that the school’s atmosphere has significantly improved since the move, noting students’ heightened enthusiasm and sense of appreciation for their new surroundings.
The school relocated to the Lynnwood site in 2024 after voters approved a $594 million capital bond covering multiple district projects. The Oak Heights campus itself spanned $90 million and occupied the former Alderwood Middle School grounds. Designed under the vision “A Park Runs Through It,” the school fills a gap in public open space for the unincorporated neighborhood, where community gathering spots have historically been limited.
Superintendent Rebecca Miner highlighted the intentional balance between security and openness in the design, with sunlit classrooms and collaborative zones meant to promote both academic focus and emotional well-being.
The campus features three interconnected structures. The main building houses the gymnasium, cafeteria, administrative offices, library, and music instruction spaces. Two additional wings contain all 30 classrooms, each equipped with individual restrooms and shared handwashing stations. Outdoor amenities include a fully accessible playground, turf-covered soccer field, asphalt running track, basketball court, and an adjacent community garden.
Lead architect Tessa Vollrath explained the deliberate color palette: blue tones dominate for their uplifting effect, green spaces serve as shared gathering zones, and purple accents define quieter, more focused learning areas.
Students played an active role in the celebration, distributing thank-you notes to bond supporters. One second grader, Mikayla, praised the clean facilities and upgraded restrooms, calling them a highlight of her new school experience.
Mercredi Noble, a second-grade instructor who has taught at the site since 2012, reflected on the transformation. She recalled challenges with aging infrastructure, crumbling ceiling tiles and mold issues, before the recent overhaul. Now, she said, students benefit from a modern, well-equipped setting that fosters both learning and gratitude.