Emerald Ridge High School Set for Expansion in 2025 Bond Measure

Emerald Ridge High School, a cornerstone of the Puyallup School District, is set to undergo major improvements as part of Proposition 1, which will appear on the April 22, 2025, ballot. If approved, the bond will fund a critical expansion to accommodate the growing student body and enhance the overall learning environment at the school.

Expansion to Address Overcrowding

Emerald Ridge, which opened in 2000, was originally built to serve 1,228 students, but current enrollment has already surpassed its capacity. As of September 2024, the school’s student population has reached 1,558, a surplus of 330 students over its designed capacity. Projections indicate that enrollment will continue to rise, with the school forecasted to accommodate more than 1,750 students by the 2024-2025 school year.

"The Sunrise community continues to grow, bringing more families and students to Emerald Ridge High School," said Ed Crow, Emerald Ridge High School Principal. "Although we are the district’s newest high school, we are no longer a new school—our classrooms are over capacity. This expansion is essential to providing the space and resources our students need to learn, grow, and succeed as enrollment continues to rise."

Proposition 1 would provide funding for a modern, two-story classroom addition designed to accommodate 400 additional students, boosting the school’s total capacity to 1,800. This expansion is crucial to easing overcrowding, reducing the reliance on temporary portable classrooms, and ensuring that every student has access to high-quality learning spaces.

A Hub of Opportunity on South Hill

Emerald Ridge High School has become a vital hub of achievement and opportunity for students in the Puyallup School District. Located on a sprawling 100-acre campus in the Sunrise community of South Hill, the school was originally part of the district's efforts to serve the fast-growing neighborhoods in the region. The growth of the Sunrise Master Plan, which has brought thousands of new homes to the area, has directly contributed to Emerald Ridge’s increasing enrollment.

In addition to the planned expansion, the school has a history of serving students with cutting-edge facilities. It was the premier project of the district’s 1997 Bond and features modern classrooms, a gymnasium, a practice gym, and a 450-seat theatre.

Building Condition and Long-Term Savings

Emerald Ridge’s facilities are in good condition overall but are beginning to show signs of aging, with the 2021 Study & Survey report rating the building’s condition as “Fair,” with a score of 64 out of 100. The report also highlighted the need to address the reliance on 13 portable classrooms, which have been used to handle the overflow of students as the building nears its full capacity.

In addition to providing much-needed space for students. The two-story addition will feature updated infrastructure and support systems to keep pace with modern educational needs, while also extending the overall life of the building.

The expansion will help the district avoid costly and inefficient short-term solutions, such as continuously relying on portable classrooms. Over time, this will lead to savings on maintenance and provide a better, safer learning environment for both students and staff.

"The rapid growth in the Sunrise community has had a direct impact on Emerald Ridge High School’s enrollment, pushing it well beyond its original capacity,” said Brian Devereux, Director of Planning. “The School Capacity and Utilization Task Force (SCUT) has worked diligently to analyze these trends and develop recommendations to address overcrowding. The planned expansion is a strategic and necessary step to ensure that Emerald Ridge can continue to serve students effectively while maintaining a high-quality learning environment."

Emerald Ridge High School Building Timeline

• 1997: Included in 1997 Bond Package.
• 2000: Opened as 3rd comprehensive high school.
• 2025: Proposed expansion (Proposition 1).

Looking Ahead to the Future

Emerald Ridge High School has experienced tremendous growth since it first opened its doors in 2000. The school’s innovative design, which clusters classrooms into smaller “houses,” has fostered a close-knit community where students can thrive academically and socially. The expansion of the school will ensure that this environment continues to support the needs of future generations of students.

For those in the Puyallup School District, Proposition 1 represents an important step toward addressing overcrowding and ensuring that local schools remain capable of meeting the needs of the community. Voters will have the opportunity to support this vital expansion and help secure the future of Emerald Ridge High School for years to come.

Key Project Details:

• Addition Size: Two-story classroom addition to accommodate 400 students
• Projected School Capacity: 1,800 students
• Current Enrollment: 1,558 (as of September 2024)
• Forecasted Enrollment by 2024-2025: 1,751
• Facility Condition: “Fair” rating, with a score of 64 out of 100
• Portables Currently in Use: 13
• Projected Savings: Long-term savings through reduced reliance on portables and extended building life

Community Involvement

For over four years, a number of community members, including parents, residents, and professionals in building design and construction, have participated in various advisory committees to evaluate the district's needs. These groups have provided input and guidance that helped shape Proposition 1, which reflects the community’s desire to expand school capacity, modernize facilities, and improve safety.

The district has also identified the need for additional funding to address overcrowding and aging buildings in the face of rapid enrollment growth. The expansion of Emerald Ridge High School is just one example of how the district plans to meet these challenges.

Be an Informed Voter

Emerald Ridge High School’s expansion is a critical part of the Puyallup School District’s ongoing efforts to address the growing demand for educational space and improve the learning environment for students. As voters head to the polls on April 22, they will have the opportunity to support this important project, which will have a lasting impact on the community for years to come.

For more information on Proposition 1, visit the Puyallup School District website or attend an upcoming informational session. Http://www.puyallupsd.org/bond