More Than A Building: What the New Upper School Means for SAAS

By: Giselle Furlonge and Rob Phillips, Co-Heads of School

In the fall of 1983, SAAS was an idea, sparked by a small group of committed parents. Both the idea and the people behind it were bold, full of promise, and propelled by a sense of urgency. With visionary leadership, an enterprising spirit, and fearless determination, those people rapidly shaped that idea into a living, breathing school community seemingly overnight. 

This September, we’ll mark another defining milestone in SAAS history, one born of the same sense of purpose and unity. Our new Home of the Upper School will open its doors for the first day of classes on September 4, 2025, fully activating our shared dream of a unified campus.

Student involvement has been a driving force throughout every stage of the building project, from the earliest design conversations to the final selection of furniture. Our Middle and Upper School students’ ideas, feedback, and priorities helped shape not just how the space looks, but how it functions for learning, collaboration, and community. With student voice and choice at the center, the Home of the Upper School is a reflection of the students who will bring it to life every day.

Equally important was the role of faculty and staff, whose passion for student-centered learning informed the building’s educational design. From the layout of classrooms to the functionality of shared spaces, faculty provided critical input to ensure the environment supports a wide range of teaching styles and student needs. Their ideas helped translate the SAAS values into physical spaces that are flexible, engaging, and future-ready.

Like any transformative campus endeavor, part of the thrill lies in the novelty of the building itself, and this one offers so much to celebrate. Each learning and community gathering space sparks its own kind of anticipation.

From the spacious outdoor courtyard to the inviting indoor commons, every detail has been designed with intention to promote human connection and enhance the kind of interdisciplinary and innovative learning that has always characterized a SAAS education.

Students will have access to dedicated spaces for innovation and hands-on creation: a fully equipped wood shop, digital fabrication spaces, and metalworking and welding studios.

Music production classrooms and recording studios will double as performance venues with doors that open to the courtyard, inviting the whole community in.

Classrooms filled with natural light are tailored for collaborative, project- based learning, and a cutting-edge kitchen will nourish the entire campus.

Yet beyond the physical structure, the true energy comes from what this building will make possible. Its true power lies in the opportunities it will unlock. The Home of the Upper School is more than a collection of rooms, studios, and labs.

It’s a dynamic environment where curiosity is sparked, leadership is nurtured, and connections flourish. It’s a hub for interdisciplinary learning, where students will tackle relevant problems, create across disciplines, and engage deeply with one another and the world around them.

With the entire campus united on one block, this new space will strengthen community bonds and expand our reach. It will be a launching pad for ideas, leadership, and meaningful connection, igniting innovation, collaboration, and purpose that extend into the broader Seattle community.

Our Home of the Upper School marks a new chapter in the book of SAAS history. With our campus unified, the culture of creativity, bold thinking and action, and community engagement that define SAAS will have even more room to grow— reaching outward into the city and forward into the future.