University Heights Center

MISSION: To strengthen our neighborhoods by: Providing a safe, attractive and accessible place for the community to gather, play, learn, create, work, volunteer and celebrate, and; Offering and supporting quality programs, events, and services responsive to the needs of the community. VISION: The creation of a multi-use urban center revitalizing the University District community and its unique character by becoming a reflection of the past, security for the present, and a vehicle to the future. In 1988, U Heights was placed on a list of north end schools to be considered for closure by the Seattle School District. On April 20th, 1988, hundreds of parents, students, staff, and supporters protested plans to close the school by joining hands and forming a circle around the historic building, chanting ?Be cool, save our school.? District officials cited the high costs of maintaining the 82 year old structure, while supporters cited the advantages of a multi-ethnic urban environment and the quality of academic programs. A lawsuit was filed, challenging the district?s decision to close the school and, in January 1989 King Co. Superior Court ruled the closure could proceed. University Heights Elementary closed it?s doors in early 1989. Unwilling to let this community resource and historic landmark be lost, local residents, parents, and area businesses who had tried to save the school, organized and reopened the facility as the neighborhood organization - the University Heights Center on May 1st, 1990. This organization was formed by a group of citizens who believed that this building should continue to be used for growth, learning and the community. The University Heights Center maintains the belief that "Old Schools Still Teach" and continues to focus on building neighborhood and providing opportunities for learning and growth in a historical setting.

University Heights Center is a not-for profit 501C-3 organization has served the U District and Greater Seattle area for over 25 years. We are located in the heart of the University District on the corner of NE 50th St and University Way NE (the Ave). For over a century, this building has served the community?s children as a public school, and now continues to serve over 130,000 people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities annually with over 150 groups utilizing classroom space for ongoing classes, programs and workshops, and more. The Center is home to a variety of long-term tenants. These include the University District Farmer?s Market, The Northwest Choirs, Broadway Bound Children?s Theatre, a K-8 school - Academy for Precision Learning, and a Japanese language immersion pre-school ? Yugakusha Seattle and childcare center - University District Children's Center. The focus of these organizations range from arts & education, to community and personal growth, to sustainability and political action. Daytime events include children's music classes, local organization meetings and yoga classes. Evening courses in dance, languages, community development, and martial arts are conducted every evening. UHC's annual program, Music @ the Heights program operates at the same time as the spring to fall Farmer?s Market every Saturday, hosts the annual U District Community Cleanup and hosts a variety of ongoing classes, activities and workshops. U Heights is located in the heart of the district and is the ?town hall? for the University District providing meeting space for local businesses, open public meetings, and free rental space for other non-profits.