Our position
- Keep great public schools open. Schools anchor communities. Families need stability to plan years ahead. Closure threats weaken trust and push families away.
- Closures won’t fix the budget. Other districts have lost students and funding to large-scale closures. Promised efficiencies haven’t fixed their budgets.
- Make public schools work for everyone. Maintain academic excellence and support every learner. Keep families from every socioeconomic background invested.
2026 instructional-site closure
Middle College.
Seattle Central.
A public high-school pathway on a college campus. The Seattle Central site closed as Middle College consolidated at North Seattle College; the high-school program continues. [3][4]
01The decision
What changed in 2026.
- April 29
SPS introduced a proposal to close the Seattle Central instructional site for the 2026–27 school year. [1]
- May 13
The proposal came before the board for action. The Southeast Seattle Education Coalition’s meeting report records its approval. [2][3]
- Fall 2026
Middle College’s website describes the program as consolidated at North Seattle College. [4]
02The educational case
The school had described the move as a success.
The 2025–26 school improvement plan said relocating the South cohort to Seattle Central strengthened the school’s connection with Running Start students and improved mentoring and problem-solving. That documented benefit belongs in the record alongside the closure decision. [5]
03History & place
Learning on Capitol Hill.
Seattle Central opened in 1966 as Seattle Community College, initially within the public school system. Its Capitol Hill campus connects secondary education with college study and career preparation. [6]
A teacher’s account published by Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods documents Middle College at Seattle Central in the 1990s, including a 1994–95 commencement program. The 2025–26 improvement plan records the more recent South-cohort relocation to the campus. [7][5]
04Research
Sources & citations.
- 01
Seattle Public Schools
April 29, 2026: site-closure proposal introducedIntroduction item for closure beginning in 2026–27.
- 02
Seattle Public Schools
May 13, 2026: board action agendaAction item and links to meeting materials, recording and minutes.
- 03
Southeast Seattle Education Coalition
May 13 board meeting reportReports approval of the site closure and confirms the whole program was not closing.
- 04
Middle College High School
Current school websiteAs retrieved October 7, 2026, the school describes consolidation at North Seattle College.
- 05
Seattle Public Schools
Middle College 2025–26 school improvement planPage 3 describes the educational benefits of moving the South cohort to Seattle Central.
- 06
Seattle Colleges
College historySeattle Central opened in 1966, initially as part of the public school system.
- 07
City of Seattle, Department of Neighborhoods
Seattle Histories: Teacher Tales — VonA teacher’s account and 1994–95 commencement artifact document an earlier Middle College presence at Seattle Central.