Lake Stevens shows first designs for three-story Glenwood Elementary

Lake Stevens residents viewed the first 3D renderings of the new Glenwood Elementary School on Friday, November 6. The visual plans show a three-story building that the district plans to construct starting in June 2027. The project is part of a $70.7 million effort to replace the current school.

The Lake Stevens School District posted the images to its website after submitting ecological permitting paperwork to the state Department of Ecology on October 27. Robb Stanton, the executive director of school planning and construction, called the permit application a major step in the process. He noted that the ecological permit involves extensive work to protect the environment and ensure safe construction practices.

"The ecological permit is really involved," Stanton said. "There’s an awful lot that we need to do to make sure that we’re protecting the environment, that we’re practicing safe construction practices, and that we’re getting permission from all of the agencies that have oversight for those things."

The current Glenwood Elementary sits adjacent to a protected wetland that the district cannot build on. This geographical constraint limits the new building to the existing school’s footprint. To create enough space within those limits, the district designed a three-story structure. This will be the first three-story school built by the Lake Stevens School District.

Stanton explained that building up allows for more learning space, play areas, and parking. The site designs include a bus loop and a separate drop-off area, which the old school lacked. Renderings show a turf field and play area in front of the building. The placement puts the new structure close to the wetlands, providing views and access for nature activities.

Gina Anderson, chief of innovation, compliance and school support operations, emphasized the importance of the natural setting. "The connection to the glen and to the environment has been very important for us and our staff," Anderson said. "All of our classrooms will look out over the glen and we have an outdoor classroom that has access to the glen."

The new building will feature 26 learning spaces capable of holding more than 650 students. Glenwood currently enrolls about 640 students, and the district expects enrollment to grow by 50 to 100 students each year. A secure perimeter fence will surround the campus, with electronic walking gates allowing public access after hours, according to district spokesperson Jayme Taylor.

The construction is funded by a capital improvement bond passed by voters in February 2025. The state is also providing $12.3 million for the project. Stanton said the district plans to receive about $80 million from the state in total, which will help stretch the $314 million community contribution to cover more than $400 million in projects.

The new Glenwood Elementary is scheduled to finish construction for the 2028-29 school year. Once the district completes the new Elementary School No. 8, currently under construction across from Stevens Creek Elementary, Glenwood students will move into that temporary location for the 2027-28 school year. They will return to their new home in 2028.

For the 2028-29 school year, the district will renovate Lake Stevens Middle School. Those middle school students will use Elementary School No. 8 during the renovation. Taylor said the district will finalize the name, mascot, and branding for Elementary School No. 8 in the third year of this process. Anderson compared the transition to a game of Jenga, noting the careful movement of students between buildings to honor the community and use tax dollars wisely.