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Building History

Before construction began on Roosevelt High School, a controversy developed over the amount of taxation required to build the school. The former Architect for the Seattle Public Schools led a group called the One Hundred Per Cent Club argued that the proposed cost of $1,250,000 for the new high school was too high, and that administrative overhead for the district had become bloated and inefficient. Stephen argued that available funds should be used to build elementary schools rather than another high school. A public meeting was held on 04/13/1921 in which Roosevelt High's architect, Floyd Naramore, and James Stephen debated the pros and cons of construction. (See "Facts Sought in School Building," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 04/13/1921, p. 16.)

Work began on the brick-faced Roosevelt High School in mid-1921. The University District Herald said in its issue of 09/22/1921: "Rounds Clist Company, the contractors, are up on the work of the school per agreement but will finish ahead of time, according to present rate. The third floor frame work will be completed by the end of September [1921] and the complete structural roof slab and parapet walls by October 30. Pouring of cement is to begin next week, 15,000 barrels to be used. Brick work is to begin October 17." (see "How Roosevelt High School Looks Today," University District Herald, 09/23/1921, p. 1.) The school opened in the Fall of 1922.

Builidng Notes

The Roosevelt High School was exhibited at the Washington State Chapter of the American Institute of Architects exhibition held at the Fine Arts Galleries at 1213 4th Avenue on 04/02/1922. An article in the Seattle Star noted the school's inclusion in the exhibit: “The Hahn Architectural Decorating company and the Architectural Sculpture company have lent several casts of unusual interest, among them a series of four made for the Roosevelt high school representing poetry, architecture, sculpture and painting.” (See Dorothy Fay Gould, “Architects’ Exhibit Ready to Open Here,” Seattle Star, 04/01/1922, p. 14.)

In 2006-2007, Franklin High School's school enrollment was 57.9% white, 7.7% Hispanic, 24% Asian and 8.9% African-American, 1.5% Native American; in 2001-2002, the figures were 55.1% white, 8.3% Hispanic, 26.3% Asian and 7.4% African-American, 2.7% Native American. The total enrollment in 2006-2007 was 1,714; in 2001-2002, 1,725.

Alteration

Roosevelt underwent an $88 million renovation in 2004-2006 supervised by Bassetti Architects; the main building was completely restored; a new cafeteria, gymnasium, and performing arts center was added to the campus at this time; when completed, the renovation was said to have cost $93.8 million.

PCAD id: 5310