School Beat: February 4, 2026

Seattle Public Schools officially welcomed its new leader on Monday, Feb. 2. Superintendent Ben Shuldiner began his first day with a press conference at Mercer International Middle School, followed by taking the oath of office and visiting classrooms at Mercer and Dearborn Park International.

Superintendent Shuldiner is hosting a series of community meetings across the city to listen, learn, and connect with families, staff, and community members. These meetings will be held in each of the Seattle School Board director districts, plus a citywide virtual session. View the list of meeting dates. Join us to share your experiences, ideas, and hopes for our schools. All are welcome at any session.

If you’re looking for a dose of joy, inspiration, and all‑around good vibes, look no further than our Quarter 2 Beacon of Hope Award winners! This award celebrates SPS staff who light up their school communities with optimism, compassion, and unwavering positivity. These five incredible educators and staff members create a sense of belonging for students and staff. Join us in celebrating these All-Star Beacons of Hope.

Do you know an SPS staff member who’s clearing obstacles, opening doors, and helping students discover what’s possible? Nominate them for the Quarter 3 Way Maker Award! This recognition celebrates the dedicated educators and support staff who create pathways for student growth through creativity, persistence, and heart. Nominations are open Friday, March 6.

Let’s celebrate the Way Makers who keep our district moving forward!

Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth rallied key partners—including Safeway, the Seattle Seahawks, and members of Pearl Jam—to help support the Washington Middle School music program.

Five SPS high schools have been named to the 2025 AP School Honor Roll, earning Platinum, Gold, and Silver distinctions for expanding access to Advanced Placement courses and helping students succeed in college‑level learning.

SPS Shout Outs highlight the incredible achievements of our students and educators across the district—from space-bound experiments and prestigious national scholarship recognition to hands‑on engineering challenges and standout performances in statewide business competitions. Help us celebrate the bright futures our students are building every day!

Be sure to tune into First Bell during mid-winter break, when students from Pathfinder K-8 take over the broadcast. We've put the show back into the hands of students, and they will be bringing you all the news you need to know. Check it out on Wednesday, Feb. 18! You don't want to miss it!

SPS proudly celebrates Black History Month, a time to honor the rich history, resilience, creativity, and leadership of Black communities past and present. This year marked the 100th anniversary of the celebration of Black History Month. Throughout February, we encourage students, staff, and families to learn, reflect, and celebrate the many contribution of Black Americans who continue to shape our schools, city, and world. Watch the SPS Black History Month flag raising celebration.

Other key dates and observances

February is also Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. CTE offers students the opportunity to gain the academic, technical and employability skills necessary for true career readiness. It also provides students with career exploration opportunities early in their educational experience, which enables them to make informed and beneficial decisions about their academic coursework and pursue established pro-grams of study and career pathways.

Feb. 2-6: Black Lives Matter at School Week

Feb. 2-6: National School Counseling Week

Feb. 9: National African American Parent Involvement Day

Feb. 10: 100th Day of School

Feb. 16-20: No school for Mid-Winter Break (includes Presidents Day)

The SPS 2026–27 school year calendar is now available, giving families time to plan for the year ahead. From the first day of school to breaks and holidays, all the key dates are in one place. Important note: School will start before Labor Day in the upcoming school year.

Seattle Promise offers free college tuition, individualized advising, career and internship opportunities, and university transfer programs and scholarships. It’s open to all SPS graduates regardless of GPA, income, ability, or country of birth. The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 13.

SPS has set the Class of 2026 graduation dates for June 10–17. Questions have come up regarding the graduation schedule, ticket distribution, and how the World Cup might affect local events. To ensure everyone is well informed, we’ve outlined responses to these topics.

Assignment letters are on their way! 2026-27 School Choice results will be available through The Source starting Feb. 24. At the same time, families will be able to use the Assignment Lookup Tool to view a student’s school assignment. Families who received a new school assignment through the School Choice Lottery will receive notifications via email or mail in the parent/guardian’s primary language the week of March 2. Welcome to your new school community!

Highly Capable identification results for the 2026–27 school year will be released in February. Because this timing occurs after the start of districtwide Open Enrollment, SPS is providing an extended enrollment window for all HC families—both current and newly identified—from Feb. 7 through Feb. 28. Late applications will also be accepted through March 31 to ensure families have ample time when making enrollment decisions.

Save the date! Nominations open this Friday, Feb. 6, for the Alliance for Education's spring awards that honor outstanding SPS principals, educators, counselors and staff. These awards come with a grant that recognizes school community members who are advancing educational justice and racial equity. Families, students and community members are encouraged to nominate and awardees will be announced later this spring.

Applications for the Seattle Skills Center’s 2026-27 school year courses is available on the Skills Center website. The Seattle Skills Center prepares students for college, career, and life through advanced Career and Technical Education courses.

There are a wide range of career pathways at several locations around the city like Maritime Vessel Operations, Media Arts: Creating for Social Media, Video Game Design, and Careers in Educations/Teaching Academy. Classes work best for 11th and 12th grade students.

A virtual open house is in the works! Keep an eye on the Skills Center webpage for updates and details.

SPS is looking for caring and responsible crossing guards to help keep our students safe on their way to and from school. As a school crossing guard, you’ll play a crucial role in our community by helping children cross the street and arrive at school ready to learn! Apply today!

The Washington State Board of Education is now accepting applications from current high school sophomores to serve as the Board's next Student Board Member for the 2026–28 term. Applications are open through Tuesday, March 31. Students from all backgrounds and postsecondary plans are encouraged to apply.

Learn more about the School Board and its work, public meetings, and upcoming policy initiatives.

• Seattle School Board Retreat: Feb. 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Maple Elementary
• Regular Board Meeting: Feb. 11, 4:30 p.m.
• Board Special Meeting: March 4, 4:30 p.m.
• Regular Board Meeting: March 11, 4:15 p.m.