Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus

A Community-hub for Early Learning, Family Well-Being, and Workforce Development

Opening 2029

The Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus represents a bold vision for the future of early childhood education. Located in the heart of one of Seattle's most diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, the campus will bring together high-quality early learning, family support services, educator professional development, research, and community partnership under one roof.

Developed through years of collaboration with families, educators, community organizations and public and philanthropic partners, Rainier Rising is designed to expand access to high-quality early learning while strengthening the network of people and organizations that support young children and their families. 

WHAT IS THE RAINIER RISING CAMPUS

Since 2018, the University of Washington College of Education and partners across southeast Seattle have worked alongside families, educators, and community leaders to imagine a space shaped by community needs and community voice. By bringing together high-quality early learning, educator preparation, professional development, family support, research, and community partnership in one place, the campus is designed to strengthen the entire early learning ecosystem while advancing more equitable opportunities for children, families, and educators. The project reflects years of collaboration and has been made possible through investments from philanthropic partners alongside city, county, state, and federal funding sources.

Rainier Rising takes an integrated approach to learning, support, and innovation. The campus will provide high-quality early education for local children while also serving as a training and demonstration center for educators, researchers, and community partners. Through partnerships with healthcare providers, early learning organizations, and the University of Washington, the campus will strengthen the early learning workforce, connect families to critical resources, and advance research-informed practices that can improve outcomes for children locally and nationwide.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND AT RAINIER RISING

Rainier Rising is designed to connect several critical pieces of the early learning ecosystem in one place. Through collaboration among community organizations and partners across the University of Washington, the campus will create robust support and new opportunities for young children, families and the early childhood workforce.

A PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Launch will operate the early learning center at Rainier Rising, providing high-quality early care and education for infants, toddlers and preschool-age children.

Beyond the classroom, Rainier Rising will connect children and families with resources that support their health and wellbeing. Partners from across the University of Washington — including UW Medicine, the School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, School of Dentistry, and School of Social Work — will work alongside community partners to bring their expertise to the campus and explore new ways to support children and families.

A PLACE FOR EDUCATORS TO LEARN AND GROW

Rainier Rising will also serve as a hub for strengthening the early childhood workforce.

The UW College of Education’s Cultivate Learning will bring its expertise in early childhood professional learning, coaching and quality improvement to the campus, creating opportunities for educators to build their skills and learn from promising practices.

By connecting early learning professionals, community partners and the University, Rainier Rising can help strengthen the systems that support educators — and, ultimately, the children and families they serve.

A PLACE FOR INNOVATION, RESEARCH, AND DEMONSTRATION

Rainier Rising will create a unique environment where research and practice can inform one another.

Faculty, students, researchers, educators and community partners will have opportunities to work together to study promising approaches, put new ideas into practice and learn directly from the experiences of children, families and educators.

Dedicated observation and demonstration spaces will support learning and research while helping translate what is learned at Rainier Rising into practices and resources that can benefit early learning communities beyond the campus.
 

COMMUNITY-CENTERED DEVELOPMENT

The Rainier Rising campus is part of the Mount Baker Redevelopment Sites, a larger community development initiative led by the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing near the Mount Baker light rail station. Rainier Rising’s location within this development places the campus close to public transportation and alongside new affordable housing, creating opportunities to connect early learning and family supports with a growing residential community.

PROJECT TIMELINE

PROJECT PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus has been made possible through collaboration and investment from public agencies, philanthropic organizations, community partners and the University of Washington.
 

Public funding partners
City of Seattle
King County
State of Washington
United States Senate

Philanthropic supporters
Bezos Family Foundation
Bill & Sally Neukom and The Neukom Family Foundation
Mark Torrance Foundation
Anonymous donor

University partners
University of Washington College of Education
UW School of Medicine
UW School of Dentistry
UW School of Pharmacy
UW School of Social Work
UW College of Education’s Cultivate Learning

 
Community partners
Launch
Cultivate Learning
Children’s Alliance
Seattle Preschool Program
and additional community organizations and partners
 

Connect with Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus

Contact Nick Terrones, Director of Community Relations at RRELC, to learn more about opportunities to collaborate with the campus.

Interested in supporting Rainier Rising?
Contact Jessica Norouzi, Associate Dean for Advancement at the UW College of Education, to learn more about philanthropic opportunities.