Building a New Renton High School

Renton High School continues to be a safe, welcoming, and exceptional place for learning and student success. However, there are several reasons to expand the Renton High School campus for our students, families, and staff, to provide a modern learning environment and athletic opportunities for all our high school students.

Restrictions to build on the current Renton High site mean we’ve been unable to make equitable improvements for students, families, and staff compared to other district high schools. These restrictions leave us unable to provide the same amenities and facilities for Renton High students that our other high schools offer. With funding approved by voters, and the process to expand the footprint of the current Renton High School campus, we can move forward with a comprehensive, well-constructed plan to improve education for Renton High School students for many decades to come. 

Important considerations for expanding the Renton High School campus:

Built on Small Parcel of Land

While most modern high schools are built on 30-40 acres to include suitable learning spaces along with sports and athletics fields, Renton High School is built on only 23.7 acres with a portion being limited by airport restrictions. In comparison, within our district Hazen High School is built on 33.3 acres and Lindbergh High School is built on 37.2 acres.

Built Adjacent to Renton Municipal Airport

Improvements at Renton High are also restricted as it is adjacent to Renton Municipal Airport and subject to the restrictions of approach and departure airspace requirements as well as the currently established ground level Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). Very few uses are acceptable within the RPZ (even parking lots are not acceptable). Airspace restrictions prohibit adding lighting to the existing fields on the west side of the property and make it difficult to add height to the existing school for additional learning space.

For more than 2½ years, the district has worked with property managers and brokers, the City of Renton, and public and private landowners, examining more than 10 potential properties within district boundaries for a possible new location for Renton High School. While initially some seemed like the right fit for a new school campus, further examination revealed shortcomings not conducive to a new school location:

• Too many environmentally critical areas (steep slopes, wetlands, streams, etc.).
• Major arterial roads and/or railroads divided sites.
• Properties too small for a comprehensive high school program.
• Environmental remediation concerns.
• Distance from student homes too great for reasonable transportation access.
• Restrictive deed covenants.
• Abundance of existing structures requiring specialized demolition and removal.

Due to these restrictions, In May, 2023, the Renton School Board approved the plan to review expanding the footprint of the current Renton High School location.

Our plan is to build a new high school building and athletic fields on the expanded site, while retaining the original 1929 historic façade of the Renton High School building and and the IKEA Performing Arts Center. The current project area expands the current Renton High School footprint, adding 9.7 acres and bringing the new site to 33.3 acres.

The potential additional project area includes purchasing 42 parcels, including 32 homes and eight commercial sites. This assemblage will include the relocation of the district's warehouse/nutrition services building currently located on the Renton High campus at 409 S Tobin Street.

Construction of a new high school will maintain the original historic façade and IKEA Performing Arts Center.  However, with the exception of those two existing parts of the building, the entirety of the replacement high school building at the existing site will be new construction.  This will provide modern learning environments and athletic amenities for the students and community within the Renton High School area.

The areas that are west of the current Renton High School building are very limited with regards to new construction or improvements, due to the Renton Municipal Airport runway protection zone.  The only opportunities for new construction in that area include minor improvements to the existing grass field and parking lots to the south with lower height light poles.

Work With Renton High Staff on New School Design

In the spring of 2023, BRIC Architecture, Inc was hired to provide design services for the Renton High School project. Through the summer and fall of 2023, BRIC and the district's Capital Planning & Construction staff have been focused on a community engagement “Listening and Learning” process to hear from as many voices as possible within the Renton High School and Renton School District community. The group has met with many families, students, and community members, and continue to receive valuable input to ensure we design a facility that meets student learning and community needs. Additionally, we have been verifying the space types and needs that will be included in the building and site to begin conceptual design for the school in 2024.

We are working now to notify property owners within the identified project area about the Renton High School replacement project and the need for acquisition of property. We will work to negotiate purchase and sale agreements with property owners, including providing a current appraisal, title, feasibility, and environmental review as needed. The school district is providing relocation assistance and reimbursements for property owners that are being displaced by this project. After that work is complete, we will begin demolition of existing structures on purchased properties. We are also working on the relocation of the district's warehouse/nutrition service facility.