Swing Space & Modernization

Seaton Elementary School’s current building is scheduled to undergo modernization during the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years. During modernization, the Seaton community is expected to temporarily relocate to swing space at 300 Bryant Street NW. See below for more information and how you can make your voice heard!

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes are coming and how will this help Seaton? Seaton Elementary School’s current building is scheduled to undergo modernization during the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years. This is an exciting development for Seaton, as our building is due for an upgrade, and modernization will ensure that Seaton has the facilities and capacity to provide the best possible resources for our Stingers for years to come! (The Seaton playground areas were most recently renovated in 2020-21.)

We will be thinking about two spaces: the modernized school and the two-year swing space. During modernization, the Seaton community is expected to temporarily relocate to swing space at 300 Bryant Street NW. The PTO is proactively engaging in advocacy to ensure that our community’s needs are met both in our temporary space and in our new modernized school. 

What will the modernized building include? The PTO is monitoring the planning process, including the bidding for potential contractors, to understand what facilities the new building will have. The request for proposal includes these specifications for the new building, which list, among other things: separate spaces for a cafeteria, gym, and stage; a library; multiple art and music spaces; 12 classrooms across PK3-1st grade with included restrooms; 9 classrooms across grades 2-5; 4 self-contained classrooms; and more. While it is still early in the process, the PTO will continue to monitor and advocate based on community feedback (which you can provide here!)

When will Seaton move from its current location to swing space? Under the current schedule, the entire school will move to the swing space starting in August 2026 and return to the modernized space in August 2028.

Where is Seaton’s swing space? Under the current plans, Seaton will move to 300 Bryant Street NW, approximately 1 mile from the current location. The site is between 4th St NW and 2nd St NW and between W St NW and Bryant St NW. This building formerly housed the Washington Metropolitan School. Howard University entered into a four year lease of the building in 2021, renovating it to house its School of Communications and other departments. The field next to this building bears the name K.C. Lewis Field and is currently used by various DC recreational programs and leagues. Starting in 2025, the building will undergo additional renovations to make it suitable for elementary education.

What kind of renovations will be completed before Seaton moves to the swing space? DC has allocated $14 million for additional renovations on the swing space prior to Seaton occupying it. According to the request for proposal that was issued in November 2024, this will include a new kitchen and cafeteria/multipurpose space, replacing windows, constructing a new playground, replacing exterior doors as needed, replacing walkways and sidewalks around the site, upgrading or replacing signage, installing new perimeter fencing and a parking lot gate, converting restrooms to elementary school standards, a full roof replacement, and new furniture, among other things. These renovations are scheduled to be substantially complete by July 15, 2026, in time for Seaton to move by August 2026. In addition to funding for the swing space, an additional funding $1.25 million has been allocated to the Department of Parks and Recreation to improve the green space and courts around the facility.

I am a current parent or guardian at Seaton. Will my student move to the swing space? Will they return to the modernized school?  Whether your student will be impacted at depends on the current grade of your student for the 2024-2025 school year:

  • Current 4th and 5th graders will complete their Seaton education at the current location.
  • Current 3rd graders will have 4th grade at the current location and 5th grade at the swing space.
  • Current 2nd graders will have 3rd grade at the current location and 4th and 5th grade at the swing space.
  • Current 1st graders will have 2nd grade at the current location, 3rd and 4th grades at the swing space, and will return to a modernized Seaton for 5th grade.
  • Current Kindergartners will have 1st grade at the current location, 2nd and 3rd grade at the swing space, and will return to a modernized Seaton for 4th – 5th grades.
  • Current PK4 students will have Kindergarten at the current location, 1st and 2nd grades at the swing space, and will return to a modernized Seaton for 3rd – 5th grades.
  • Current PK 3 students will have PK4 at the current location, Kindergarten and 1st grade at the swing space, and will return to a modernized Seaton for 2nd – 5th grades.

 

I am the parent or guardian of a rising PK 3 student. What does this mean for my family? Rising PK3 students will spend their PK3 year at the current location, complete PK4 and Kindergarten at the swing space, and return to a modernized Seaton for 1st – 5th grades.

How can I learn more about modernization and/or the swing space? The PTO will hold community meetings about the process in the coming months. It is our goal to keep our community informed about any developments and receive regular feedback about what concerns you have. Please also check back here frequently for updates.

I want to provide feedback on what I want to see in a modernized Seaton! Where can I do that? The PTO is eager to hear from the community about what you want to see! We’ve created a survey here. If you have additional questions or would like to join the Modernization/Swing Space committee, please reach out to the PTO at president.seatonpto@gmail.com. Thank you for engaging in this process with us.