Cascade Parent Partnership, in cooperation with Seattle Public Schools, transformed the 1913 North Queen Anne Grade school into an upgraded and renovated independent learning center run by Cascade Parent Partnership. QAHS was thrilled to award them with the 2024 Outstanding Renovation Award.

We recently asked Owen Gonder, Principal of the Cascade Parent Partnership, for some of his favorite Queen Anne memories and spots. In addition, we saw in person the historic blackboard that workers found during the renovation.

What do you like best about the Queen Anne neighborhood?
We love the school's history and its proximity to the Rodger Playfield and Aegis Living, a school partner. We also have great neighbors!

Do you have a favorite spot on Queen Anne? If so, what is it?
The team loves several places on the hill. We love Caffe Ladro, a regular stop-off when coming to school. We have partnered with Blue Highway Games for a community event in the past. We also regularly ordered for staff appreciation from Zeeks when it was down off Nickerson, now up on Queen Anne Ave. Of course, Trader Joe's and the new Safeway are a hit with the community, who come from across the district to attend school here. Running up to the grocery shop for the week while the kids are at school or picking up lunch for later in the day is very convenient for our families.

Do you have a favorite memory of Queen Anne? A sort of "remember when" memory?  
My favorite memory of our North Queen Anne school building is when we had families visit who were here as elementary students in the late 30s and 40s and whose children attended in the 60s and 70s and heard their stories of the school. Of course, when they mentioned that things "look exactly as they did when (they) went to school here," I had to keep my mouth from dropping open and smile. Thankfully, our building has received a significant upgrade and remodel within the last three years. While the outside looks similar and remains true to the architect's design, the inside is brand new and beautiful!

Thank you, Cascade Parent Partnership, for being such a good neighbor and all you do for our community.

Photos courtesy of the Cascade Parent Partnership.