FORMA

“These bright, flexible learning spaces aren’t just beautiful. They’re launching pads for dreams. They’re innovation labs for tomorrow’s leaders, and they’re safe havens where every scholar can discover their unique potential.” – Illahee Middle School Principal Brianna Ward

We were delighted to be on hand for last night’s official ribbon cutting ceremony at Illahee Middle School in Federal Way as students, staff, and community members celebrated the opening of the District’s newest school campus and the final project in the 2017 construction bond — an initiative to address overcrowding, deteriorating facilities, and security concerns that has included four other new schools built by FORMA. 

A GC/CM collaboration with Bassetti Architects begun in 2022, the stunning new two-story school for 800 scholars in the sixth through eighth grades features a renovated gym, fields, and a new soccer mini-pitch with lighting; a garden that will supplement fresh fruits and vegetables for school lunches as well as hands-on learning opportunities; and the new 110,000 sf school building that houses dedicated band and theater rooms, a learning Resource Center, a flexible commons and performance area, new classrooms, library, science labs, and offices — all wrapped around a lushly landscaped learning courtyard full of tall, on site trees that were carefully preserved during construction. 

For more on the grand opening, check out this article in the Mirror, and this recap at the District’s website that features an incredible walk-through video of the beautiful new Illahee Middle School.

Thank you Federal Way, we have thoroughly enjoyed building in this incredible community over the past six years and we are so proud to have played a role in these new school campuses that will support bright futures and strong neighborhoods for decades to come.

📸 courtesy of Federal Way Public Schools