IMPORTANT UPDATE 

for Cottage Lake Elementary 

Families and supporters

Top recommendation to NSD Board includes closing Cottage Lake Elementary

What Makes Cottage Lake Special:

An accessible and inclusive campus

Cottage Lake’s accessible campus supports participation for all students and helps students with disabilities access the free appropriate public education (FAPE) they are entitled to. Its physical design removes barriers so every student can learn with a sense of belonging. 

• Ramps, accessible building thresholds, push activated doors, and two elevators provide access throughout the campus.

• A newly installed inclusive playground includes ramps and wheelchair-accessible play opportunities.

• A shared cafeteria provides space for meals, peer interaction, and connection outside instructional time.

Together, these features support access and inclusion throughout the school day for each and every learner. Allocating staff efficiently by having this program in one location allows resources to be shared:  Para Educators, SPED Teachers, Therapists, accessible buses, accessible playground, gym materials, etc.

A commitment to inclusive learning

Cottage Lake’s dedicated staff have spent years collaborating and evolving their teaching practices around Universal Design for Learning (UDL), designing inclusive learning experiences so all students regardless of needs can participate, learn and engage from the start.

The school’s accessible environment and established teaching practices work together to support students with a wide range of learning profiles. A significant portion of our students are receiving special education services.

Space for learning and student support

Cottage Lake has several unused full-size classrooms, alongside dedicated spaces currently used for student services.

Available classrooms offer room for additional learning activities, while specialized service spaces provide equipment and environments that support students’ individual educational needs.

The Northshore School District has released initial recommendations from the Enrollment Demographics Advisory Committee (EDAC) regarding declining district enrollment. Here is what you need to know about potential scenarios for Cottage Lake Elementary:

• Potential Closure: EDAC's Top recommendation includes closing Cottage Lake Elementary and reassigning CLE students to neighboring schools (Eastridge, Hollywood Hill, Wellington). See our NSD Relocation Page for more information

• Potential Boundary Line Adjustments: Other recommendations include keeping CLE open and welcoming new students from Sunrise, Hollywood Hill, and/or Wellington.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD:

• Nov 10 @ 5:30 PM | District Q&A Session (Location: CLE Cafeteria/Library) District staff present will options, take Q&A, and gather feedback.

• Nov 10 @ 7:00 PM | CLE PTA Membership Meeting (Location: CLE Library) Join us right after the Q&A to discuss information about what is happening at CLE this year.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY:

1. Visit www.nsd.org and view FAQs, an explainer video, the timeline and the Board presentations. https://www.nsd.org/our-district/who-we-are/enrollment-boundaries

2. Review the EDAC presentation here: https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/nsd/Board.nsf/pfiles/DZ5RK86E4A38/$file/Board.ppt.26Oct2026_vFinal.1.pdf

3. Write to the people making the decisions: NSD School Board: schoolboard@nsd.org; Dr. Justin Irish, Superintendent superintendent@nsd.org, EDAC scalissendorff@nsd.org

4. Submit your direct feedback to the Board using this link: https://form.jotform.com/262518194335157

Our Community is special and our voices matter! 

UPCOMING EVENTS