Fifth-Grade Family Message from Pacific Middle School
It’s only December, but we are starting to plan how to support our fifth-grade students and families as you prepare for the transition to middle school by September 2025.
We look forward to welcoming your students to middle school. More information will be provided about the transition to middle school in the coming months. For now, I want to share information about where Pacific Middle School students will attend school during the construction of a new Pacific Middle School building.
Construction of a new Pacific Middle School will take two years, starting in September 2025. During construction, Pacific students will attend school approximately three miles away at the Olympic Interim Site, located at 615 South 200th Street in Des Moines.
Renovated in 2018, the Olympic Interim Site was used by Highline High School and is being used by Tyee High School during construction of their new school, which opens in September 2025.
Interim Site Information
Before middle school starts in September, there will be opportunities for students, families, and staff to tour the interim site and learn more about our temporary campus.
Here is an Interim Site web page with information and photos so you can see what the site looks like.
Pacific Middle School will retain its name and identity throughout the temporary relocation. The entire school, including all staff and students, will be based at the Olympic Interim Site for two years. The campus includes well-maintained classrooms equipped with heating and air conditioning, along with a gym, auxiliary gym, cafeteria, library, and a track and field for practices.
Transportation Provided
Transportation will be provided to the Olympic Interim Site for all Pacific Middle School students.
Transportation will be provided for school, after-school activities, and athletic events. Detailed bus route information and stops will be available in late August 2025.
Shared Campus
The Olympic Interim Site continues to be home to Maritime High School, part of our Schools of Choice program. Maritime will continue at the Olympic Site during the 2025-26 school year. Classroom spaces and bell schedules will be separate, like the arrangement with Tyee. There may be additional opportunities for Pacific students and families to observe the Maritime learning program prior to entering the high school choice process.
We want students and families to feel comfortable and at home while Pacific Middle School is at our interim site. We are looking forward to new spaces and new opportunities next year and the years to follow.
Next Steps
The sixth-grade team at Pacific will be providing more information about the transition to middle school in the coming months. This will include course registration, answering your questions, and the opportunity to learn more about Pacific.
We look forward to meeting families and students next year.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Banner, Principal
Pacific Middle School