Tacoma Public Schools marked the first day of the school year by opening the newly remodeled Oakland Secondary School. The campus, a blend of old and new on South Adams Street, will operate as a hub for flexible learning that offers a mix of in-person and online classes.

Oakland, formerly a school for students in grades 9-12, now offers students and staff a re-imagined space that will soon be able to serve students in grade 6-12 and already houses Tacoma Online and Tacoma Flex.

“Through these programs, we provide students with learning options that adapt to their lives and goals,” said Shaun Martin, Oakland Secondary principal. “Whether balancing work or family commitments, seeking smaller learning communities, or needing personalized pacing, students will find that Oakland, Tacoma Online and Tacoma Flex each offer supportive environments where flexibility is at the center of the experience.”

Oakland was originally built as an elementary in 1912 and eventually transitioned into a high school. In 2020, voters approved a set of building replacements and updates through a construction bond, including Oakland and seven other schools. With its listing on the City of Tacoma’s Register of Historic Places, Oakland could be remodeled, but not completely rebuilt. As a result, over the last two years, Oakland’s exterior was meticulously preserved, and its interior was completely remodeled.

Key preservation work included restoring the building’s original brick, sandstone, and marble exterior, as well as about 100 historic wood-framed windows.

The update includes:

• Modernized classrooms with natural and LED lighting
• Seismic improvements
• Mechanical and electrical updates that improve building energy performance
• Safety and security improvements
• ADA accessibility improvements (ramps and elevator)
• New gym, cafeteria and kitchen
• Courtyard and basketball court adjacent to the cafeteria

An on-site MultiCare healthcare clinic and Cottesmore daycare are expected to open soon.

Take a look at the first day for students at the Oakland campus.

Tacoma Online and Tacoma Flex at Oakland
From science labs to art projects to social gatherings, the remodeled Oakland provides the space for in-person activities to support Tacoma Online students, staff and families. On campus, high school students in particular can access teacher support, enrichment and in-person events that balance the independence of virtual learning with the belonging of a school community.

Tacoma FLEX, also based out of Oakland, offers students the chance to design their own balance of learning, work and life. Through FLEX, students split their schedules to combine in-person classes at their neighborhood schools with up to two online courses. Through Flex, students get individualized pacing, academic support and the opportunity to design a schedule that fits their needs,

Nell Hoyt Day School to open Sept. 8

Nell Hoyt, a new Tacoma Public Schools program, will serve students from kindergarten through 8th grade who have emotional or behavioral challenges that can’t be adequately addressed in their neighborhood school.

In coordination with their individualized education program (IEP), students will attend Nell Hoyt on a short-term basis, with the goal of developing the skills that allow them to return to their neighborhood school.

By providing this service directly to our students, Tacoma Public Schools invests in our ability to ensure students get the environment they need to grow. This expansion of services reflects our dedication to providing high-quality, accessible education options for families in our region. The program will operate in a newly updated site on North Union, the former Hoyt preschool.