Whatcom Middle School
Whatcom Middle School is a middle school located in Bellingham, Washington, United States. As of 2007, it was the largest of four middle schools in the Bellingham School District. Built in 1903, it was also the oldest existing school building in the Bellingham School District until a 2009 fire damaged the building irreparably. The school reopened in 2011 after most of the 1903 building was demolished.
History
In 1903, North Side High School was built to serve the city of Bellingham, the conglomerate of four communities that surrounded Bellingham Bay: Whatcom, Bellingham, Sehome, and Fairhaven. In 1916, additional construction doubled the size of the building, and the name was changed to Whatcom High School. In 1937, Bellingham High School was built, and the students from Whatcom High School were moved to the new building. The old building became Whatcom Junior High for grades 7-9. The school was reorganized into Whatcom Middle School in 1967 to serve grades 6-8.
The school was heavily damaged in a major early-morning fire on November 5, 2009 while undergoing a seismic retrofit. According to the Bellingham Fire Department, the fire was related to welding work at the building and was accidental. Students were dispersed to other area middle schools.
A new building was constructed in the same footprint as the original building, and reusing the historic 1903 entrance to the school, with its motto "Waste Not Thy Hour". The school reopened in 2011, one year ahead of schedule.
Notable alumni
;Whatcom High School
*Z. Vanessa Helder, artist
History
In 1903, North Side High School was built to serve the city of Bellingham, the conglomerate of four communities that surrounded Bellingham Bay: Whatcom, Bellingham, Sehome, and Fairhaven. In 1916, additional construction doubled the size of the building, and the name was changed to Whatcom High School. In 1937, Bellingham High School was built, and the students from Whatcom High School were moved to the new building. The old building became Whatcom Junior High for grades 7-9. The school was reorganized into Whatcom Middle School in 1967 to serve grades 6-8.
The school was heavily damaged in a major early-morning fire on November 5, 2009 while undergoing a seismic retrofit. According to the Bellingham Fire Department, the fire was related to welding work at the building and was accidental. Students were dispersed to other area middle schools.
A new building was constructed in the same footprint as the original building, and reusing the historic 1903 entrance to the school, with its motto "Waste Not Thy Hour". The school reopened in 2011, one year ahead of schedule.
Notable alumni
;Whatcom High School
*Z. Vanessa Helder, artist
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