Taholah School District and the Quinault Indian Nation are constructing a new kindergarten through 12th grade school that will be earthquake-safe. The project broke ground in November 2025. The state has named Taholah a top priority under the School Seismic Safety Grant Program.
The current school sits in an earthquake zone and tsunami area, which makes building a safer school urgent. “Taholah SD originally planned to construct a new school on higher ground to vacate existing inundation zones,” shares Dr. Herman J. Lartigue, Jr., superintendent for the Taholah School District. “Through the OSPI School Seismic Grant Program and SB5933 created in 2022 the district was able to participate in the program to fund design and construction.”
New Taholah School to be Built on Quinault Lands
The Quinault Indian Nation has leased the new land for the school to the school district. “The Quinault Indian Nation and Taholah School district have a long-standing relationship, which has led to a long-term lease agreement between the district and QIN, which reinforces the commitment to each other while the land is owned by the Quinault Indian Nation,” shares Lartigue.
The new building, which took two years to design, is being built with safety at the forefront. “As part of the seismic safety grant program, the buildings must be able to withstand potential seismic activity and mitigate risks from tsunamis,” shares Lartigue. “The new school will be built to current building codes to withstand major seismic activity and ensure safety of students and staff. Additionally, the location of the new Taholah school is out of the inundation zone removing the threat of a potential Tsunami.”
The school will consist of a 74,855-square-foot, single story building, with separate wings for kindergarten through fifth grade and sixth through 12th grade. There will be central areas including commons, a library and a kitchen. A gym will have two sets of double doors, allowing access from inside the school as well as from the exterior.
The school is set to accommodate 312 students, allowing for growth within the district as current enrollment is 200.
Along with practical designs, intentional thought went into aesthetics for the new school, incorporating Quinault Indian Nation influences into signage, art and landscaping. “The building signage will incorporate Quinault language translation, the current donated canoe located in the commons will be relocated to the new school, the exterior landscaping has been selected to be native to the area,” adds Lartigue. “In addition, the landscaping will have Quinault language incorporated.”
Lartigue adds that art pieces focusing on the region are also being planned, thanks to a Washington state art grant.
What Will Happen to the Old Taholah School?
The old school building can no longer be used for education. Lartigue says the District is still weighing options on what it can be used for moving forward.
Project Timeline and Funding
Forma Construction will build the school. Brumfield Construction will prepare the site. Arcadis Architects designed the building. The Quinault Business Council, the Taholah School Board, and families have worked together on every step of this project.
- Construction Funding Awarded: July 2025 (25–27 Biennium)
- Site Preparation: Currently underway
- Projected Ribbon Cutting: 2027 (final date forthcoming)
To stay up-to-date on the progress of the construction on the Taholah School District website. Scan the QR codes on the site for a 360-degree view of the new school design.
