Lakewood School District: 95 years of learning

Published 10:00 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2009

LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood School District is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year.

District officials are inviting residents and current and former students, teachers and administrators to attend an open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on March 10 at Lakewood High School, 17023 11th Ave. NE.

The festivities include entertainment by student groups, a sideshow on the history of the district and displays of programs. Participants can buy a school meal prepared by the district’s food services workers for $3.50. Commemorative T-shirts will also be on sale.

Kindergarten registration is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. in the commons area at Lake Stevens High School. Parents of eighth-grade students are invited to a high school orientation at 7 p.m. in the theater.

The district formed in 1914 with 70 students. Today, there are more than 2,400.

The district bought a plot of land for $500 and built a three-story school.

Until 1918, students in first through 11th grades attended the school. Then the district began busing high school students to Arlington High School. Lakewood teenagers rode to Arlington High on wooden benches built into the bed of a truck. A canvas tarp kept them dry.

In 1982, Lakewood High School was built, with the first class graduating in 1984.

Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292, kmanry@heraldnet.com.