A Home for Learning

Where will the new building be located?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Recent storms took out several trees that had long served as natural buffers between our campus and neighboring properties. We were already planning to address this before the expansion project came along. As part of our overall campus work, we are partnering with professional landscape engineers to restore and improve those screens - both at ground level and around the proposed rooftop play area - so neighbors can expect more greenery, not less.

With doubled enrollment, will drop-off/pick-up queues back up onto 162nd Avenue?

Our traffic study analyzed queue demand with the staggered drop-off schedule. The extended fire lane provides sufficient on-site queue storage to prevent spillover onto 162nd Avenue during normal operations.

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

We recognize 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.

What are you doing 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.

How will Cascadia manage parking during large school events?

Managing parking during large events is something we take seriously, knowing it directly affects our neighbors. We limit attendance at all-school events to keep demand in check, notify families of parking expectations ahead of time, and station staff outside to direct traffic and guide guests to designated street parking areas.

Where will additional staff park with the expansion?

The parking demand for the expanded school is estimated at 26 stalls, with the site currently providing 18. We are developing a comprehensive parking solution that will address this need through a combination of approaches, which may include on-site spaces where our site allows, transportation demand management programs, and coordination with the city on available off-site parking options.

Will enrollment double as soon as construction is completed?

No. Enrollment will grow gradually over 6–8 years, from approximately 130 to 250 students. Throughout this growth toward doubling our current enrollment, Cascadia will maintain its 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio and its small community feel.

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 will 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 does growing to two classes per grade actually improve the experience for individual students, not just add more kids?

Adding a second class per grade creates more opportunities for connection and collaboration, while still keeping class sizes small. Students benefit from a broader peer group, while teachers can better tailor learning and focus areas and work together to support each child.

With more students, how are you thinking about lunch and mealtime — will there be a cafeteria?

We’re exploring options to offer a meal service for students who would like to purchase lunch. While a traditional cafeteria is not currently part of the plan as we value students eating together in their classrooms, we do plan to offer a lunch purchase option.

Why not add a middle school instead of adding one classroom to each grade you currently serve?

At Cascadia, we care deeply about the elementary years and the whole-child approach that guides our work. This expansion is about giving our current program the space and facilities it needs to truly thrive. Instead of branching out into a middle school, we feel the right next step is to strengthen the grades we already serve.

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.