As the population of Seattle grew, so did the city's schools. The first school was called "Central School" a name that was applied to several different buildings as the original building was outgrown and a subsequent building burned down. In 1889 a building now referred to as Central School II was built on Seventh Avenue and Madison Street; it housed Seattle High School on its third floor, while the elementary pupils were on the two lower floors. Even though Central School II became Seattle's largest school building, by 1890 it was overcrowded and the first of many annexes opened to accommodate the 22 teachers and 862 pupils. In 1902 the district built the first facility solely devoted to high school students, known initially as Seattle High School and later as Broadway High School, and located on Capitol Hill. The invitation or perhaps ticket pictured here is for the Seattle Public High School commencement exercises, which took place at Central School II in downtown Seattle.

Caption information source: "Seattle Public Schools, 1862-2000: Central School II" HistoryLink.org Essay 10482

• Subjects (LCTGM): Graduation ceremonies--Washington (State)--Seattle; Public schools--Washington (State)--Seattle