Everett’s K-8 schools are facing a critical shortage of educational space, with students learning in areas never intended to serve as classrooms and schools increasingly forced to repurpose libraries, science labs, intervention spaces and other important learning environments to accommodate enrollment needs.
In some schools, stairwells, hallways and other small spaces are being used for instruction and student services. Libraries and specialty classrooms have been converted to create additional learning space, while educators have fewer appropriate areas to provide academic and social-emotional support. The lack of space also limits the District’s ability to provide seventh- and eighth-grade students with dedicated science labs and other learning environments appropriate for their age and curriculum.
Addressing those conditions was the focus of a community meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 30, where dozens of Everett residents joined City and Everett Public Schools (EPS) officials at the Parlin School to hear about potential long-term solutions to the District’s K-8 overcrowding crisis.
Residents were presented with an analysis of the District’s educational and space needs, potential building options, estimated project costs and possible ways to finance a long-term solution. The presentation also outlined how creating a dedicated school for Everett’s seventh- and eighth-grade students could relieve overcrowding throughout the District and restore critical educational spaces in the existing K-8 schools.
A major focus of the presentation was the potential creation of a dedicated seventh- and eighth-grade school at the former Everett High School at 548 Broadway.
“Overcrowding is affecting what happens in our schools every single day,” said Mayor Robert J. Van Campen. “When students are learning in hallways and stairwells and schools are losing libraries and other spaces because they need somewhere to put a class, we have to act. I was grateful to see so many residents come out, ask questions and engage in this process. This will be a significant decision for Everett, and the community deserves to understand the options, the costs and what each could mean for our students and our city.”
City and school officials explained that District-wide planning involving EPS leadership, educators, students and outside partners identified seventh and eighth grade as the preferred configuration for a new middle school. Moving those grades out of Everett’s existing K-8 schools would create additional space for younger students while allowing seventh- and eighth-graders to learn in an environment designed specifically for their academic and developmental needs.
The shift could allow existing elementary schools to restore spaces that have been lost to overcrowding over the years, including libraries, art and music rooms, science spaces and areas for student support services. It could also provide greater flexibility to address class sizes and future enrollment needs.
“This plan will have a positive ripple effect across our entire district,” said Superintendent William D. Hart. “It provides a tailored academic environment for our Grade 7-8 students, while allowing us to right-size our five elementary schools. With this approach, we can make the Everett Public Schools bigger and, more importantly, better.”
The planning and analysis presented at the meeting has been conducted in partnership with architecture firm Perkins Eastman and LeftField Project Management. The firms have worked alongside the City and EPS to evaluate the District’s educational and space needs, assess existing City-owned properties and develop potential options for addressing overcrowding.
As part of that work, two City-owned properties were evaluated: the former Pope John XXIII High School at 888 Broadway and the former Everett High School at 548 Broadway.
The analysis found that Pope John does not have sufficient space, classroom types or support areas to accommodate the proposed seventh- and eighth-grade program and is not centrally located. By comparison, the former Everett High School property has enough space to accommodate the program through either renovation or a combination of renovation and new construction.
The potential 548 Broadway project could include 48 general classrooms, 11 science classrooms and labs, dedicated art, music and STEM spaces, a media center, gym and cafeteria, along with specialized education and student support spaces. The property could also accommodate EPS administrative offices, parent services and other District programs.
Officials presented two potential approaches for the property. Renovating the entire existing building is estimated to cost approximately $300 million to $320 million. A second option would renovate the historic portion of the building while replacing the 1970s-era section with a new addition, at an estimated cost of approximately $280 million to $300 million. Based on current estimates, the renovation and new construction option is expected to cost approximately $20 million less than renovating the entire building.
The presentation also outlined potential financing options, including funding the project through annual revenues, a debt exclusion or a partial debt exclusion. Depending on the financing approach ultimately pursued, the proposal could require approval by Everett voters. No decisions have been made regarding the project or how it would be financed, and additional public discussion will take place as the process moves forward.
The City has already invested grant funding into preserving both properties while the long-term planning process continues. At 548 Broadway, the roof was replaced in 2025, environmental remediation is nearing completion and new heating and cooling equipment is planned. Hazardous materials remediation is also underway at Pope John, along with design work for roof replacement.
The Sept. 30 meeting was part of an ongoing community process as the City and EPS evaluate the best path forward. Additional information and opportunities for residents to participate will be shared as planning continues.
