Last year, Rainier Beach High School officially opened its beautiful new campus that honored the school’s storied history. The journey to the new high school building represented a turning point for the Rainier Beach community determined to rewrite its narrative, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said. 

For years, the school faced immense adversity, from being under-resourced to dwindling enrollment numbers. Refusing to accept these challenges as their permanent reality, the community united three years ago to collaborate with architects, ensuring their voices were heard to create a space that genuinely feels like home.

Rainier Beach students, community members, and parents stepped up to physically build the new facility. The school's library was dedicated to advocate and former school board director Betty Patu, the athletic complex was dedicated to legendary men's basketball coach Mike Bethea, and the basketball court was dedicated to one of the best to ever do it, NBA legend and Rainier Beach alum Jamal Crawford. 

Built with love, heart, and character, this state-of-the-art facility is a physical manifestation of hope designed to inspire the current student body, elevate the neighborhood, and confidently pass the baton to push future generations forward.

Converge Media wants to thank Seattle Public Schools, Lydig Construction, The Vida Agency, and, of course, the Rainier Beach family for giving us the honor of documenting the building of the Beach.

“Build the Beach, For Us, By Us"