Will this change the residential character of the neighborhood?

We have been part of this neighborhood for over 40 years. We're committed to maintaining the character while advancing our mission. The expansion keeps us a small school by most standards - and our traffic mitigation strategies are designed to minimize neighborhood impact.

Where will the new building be located?

Our buildable zone is relatively small compared to how large the backyard is, as we are mindful of wetland buffers. Construction is proposed behind current buildings primarily over the blacktop area and part of the field. 

How tall will the new building be?

The city sets the height limit at 38 feet, which is approximately two stories, with allowances for extensions above that limit for safety railing, egress points, and other rooftop essentials. The building’s proposed height works within these limits.

Will the new fire lane be used for regular traffic?

The fire lane will be an extension of the current fire lane and driveway. As such, it will be used for similar uses like: waste management, deliveries, maintenance, drop-off and pick-up, and other school-related activities. 

Why not build up on existing buildings instead of expanding into the backyard?

Building up was considered during our feasibility studies, however, we ruled it out because: 1) existing buildings already approach Redmond’s height limits, leaving very little room for additions, and 2) even if the city were to grant a variance on height limit, it would require relocating students off-campus during construction.

When will construction begin, and how long will it take?

Right now we are conservatively targeting breaking ground in the spring/summer of 2028, with completion by the 2029 school year. It would involve approximately 12–18 months of construction, with high-intensity work during the summer months and lower-intensity work during the school year.

What about construction noise impacts? Will there be early morning construction noise?

We know that construction noise can be a source of concern for the community. We are sensitive to this as well with our students, so we will ensure that contractors follow Redmond law around time-of-day restrictions on construction. Cascadia will also provide regular communication to neighbors about major construction activities to help residents plan around any particularly noisy periods of construction.

Will there be any privacy screening between the school and neighboring properties?

We lost half a dozen trees during recent storms that had previously provided natural barriers, so even outside of this project, we were already looking at improving natural screens where possible. We are actively engaging professional landscape engineers to ensure the campus maintains its strong connection to the trees and understory.

How will Cascadia handle increased traffic with double the enrollment?

Cascadia conducted traffic studies prior to any other planning and will continue working with traffic engineers to develop comprehensive solutions and measure impact. We currently employ a staggered drop-off/pick-up system and are exploring additional mitigation strategies to scale enrollment with limited impact. We will work to integrate community feedback where feasible and within its control.

What about the potential backup of cars at the intersection of 162nd Ave NE and NE 40th Street?

We've heard concerns about cars queuing up when turning left onto 40th Street. We're working with traffic engineers to study the intersection dynamics and broader traffic patterns. If mitigation is needed and within our ability to influence, we'll work to address it.

Where will additional staff park with the expansion?

The city will determine parking requirements based on traffic studies. While those requirements are not known at this time, we're already exploring options to meet those requirements, which may include on-site parking, off-site solutions, or potential bussing. We'll finalize our approach as part of the city approval process.

What about cars that block traffic at the intersection of 162nd Ave NE and NE 43rd Court?

We've heard concerns about cars blocking traffic during drop-off - stopping in the middle of the road as they wait to pull up the drive. We take these concerns seriously because safe traffic flow matters for everyone, especially our students, many of whom are walking to school from their homes in the neighborhood.

We're committed to regularly reminding parents about proper drop-off procedures and enforcing our traffic patterns. We're also working with the city to explore safety improvements at this intersection, including crosswalk striping at all four corners and evaluating whether this section of 162nd should be designated as a school zone. These improvements would benefit the entire neighborhood, not just our school community.

Will the construction affect the existing playgrounds?

Existing playground structures and significant natural play areas will be maintained. Our goal is to preserve a strong outdoor–indoor connection. We are also very excited about the addition of a rooftop play area that would easily make up for any play area lost to the building footprint.

How will this affect my tuition?

We remain committed to keeping tuition increases predictable and sustainable, and this project doesn't change that commitment. Our tuition will continue to increase at approximately the same percentage each year - typically around 3–5% - to keep pace with costs and remain competitive for excellent staff.

Our all-inclusive tuition model remains one of the most affordable options among independent schools in our area. As we grow, expanding financial aid access becomes more financially sustainable, which aligns with our commitment to making Cascadia accessible to families across income levels.

Will the teaching ratio change?

No. While the expansion includes an additional classroom at each grade level, these will have their own teachers and assistants to ensure the student-to-teacher ratio remains an average of 9:1.

Will this affect Cascadia’s educational philosophy?

The expansion comes from a vision of strengthening our educational philosophy. Purpose-built spaces for science, the arts, and community gathering will allow us to more fully support the whole child and deepen hands-on learning.

How will safety be maintained during construction and will it impact learning?

Student safety is a top priority. We are working with the leading education-focused architecture firm in the Northwest, NAC. They have immense knowledge and experience with the specific concerns schools have around safety and education continuity during construction. Construction areas will be securely fenced and clearly separated from student spaces. All work will follow city safety requirements, and contractors will adhere to strict protocols to ensure a safe campus environment throughout the project.

High-intensity construction is planned for summer months whenever possible, with lower-impact work occurring during the school year. The school will coordinate closely with contractors to minimize noise and maintain a calm learning environment.

Will students have opportunities to learn about or engage with the building process?

Where appropriate, the construction process may offer real-world learning opportunities. The project aligns naturally with science and sustainability learning.

How will the school communicate updates and changes to families?

Families will receive regular updates through Bloomz. We are committed to transparency and will share important milestones and construction updates in a timely manner.