Why is Seattle Public Schools capping enrollment at Cleveland?
Seattle Public Schools is funding Cleveland for only 660 students next year (current enrollment is over 900 students), forcing budget cuts that will have devastating impact our our school community, including a massive loss of 3.5 FTE (Full Time Employment). This means bigger class sizes and less class offerings for our students, risk of leaving gaps in student’s schedule, it creates a negative impact on sports, clubs, and so forth. This makes no sense as we have a waitlist of hundreds of students and over 500 people attended our open house this year for prospective students and their families.
What you Can do to Help
Reach out to SPS Officials
Participate in this letter writing campaign to let SPS officials know that you do not agree with the enrollment cap and budget decisions regarding Cleveland High School. Click the button below to be taken to our letter writing site. Add your contact information and click “Start Writing.” Review the draft letter and make any changes you would like, then hit “Send.” That’s it! Bonus action: share it with your friends, family, and community members and ask them to participate!
Leverage Your Media Contacts
If you know anyone in local media, especially if they cover the topic of education, please reach out to them and see if you can get some coverage on this issue. We can help provide community members for them to interview if needed. The PTSA can be contacted at: clevelandptsa@seattleschools.org.
Attend SPS Board Meetings
Bring signs and wear your Cleveland gear! You can also sign up to speak. Link to the board calendar below.
District Office Location
Seattle Public Schools
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence
2445 3rd Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134
Spread the Word Via Social Media
Please use your social media presence to spread the word about this issue. Here are some talking points you can use to craft your message:
Cleveland will lose 3.5 FTE (Full-Time Employment). SPS is limiting enrollment to 660 students 2025-2026 school year. This will cause increased class sizes, a reduction in course offerings, and will result in the removal of critical educators from our school, and with the potential of leaving gaps in students schedules. Cleveland has hundreds of students on the waitlist, and 500 people attended Open House this year.
Attend PTSA Meetings
Stay in the loop and learn more about advocacy opportunities by attending Cleveland PTSA meetings. This is also a great way to build community with other parents, guardians, and community members. Principal Lam and Cleveland teachers are often in attendance. ASB officers and other student representatives frequently provide updates during meetings. Meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month and are typically in the Cleveland cafeteria. The best way to stay updated is to follow the PTSA on Facebook and Instagram.
News & Notes
Komo News: “SPS families on option school waitlists question district’s enrollment management”
King5 coverage: “Seattle families claim SPS’s enrollment caps at option schools are backfiring”
Cleveland Community at March 12, 2025 SPS Board Meeting: Parent’s, students, and staff came together to let their voices be heard.
