Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus

Building a National Model for Early Learning, Family Well-Being, and Workforce Development

Opening Fall 2028

The Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus (formerly the Rainier Valley 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.

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. Co-designed with Rainier Valley residents, Rainier Rising was created to address longstanding inequities in access to affordable, high-quality childcare and preschool while centering culturally affirming, anti-racist care for children and families. The project reflects years of collaboration and has been made possible through investments from philanthropic partners alongside city, county, state, and federal funding sources.

What sets Rainier Rising apart is its integrated approach to learning, support, and innovation. By partnering with long-time Rainier Valley early learning provider, Launch Learning, 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.

This project was formerly referred to as the Rainier Valley Early Learning Campus. The updated name—Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus—reflects the aspirations, strengths, and potential of the families and communities it serves.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The earliest years of life lay the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and success. While disparities in opportunity persist, lasting solutions require investing not only in children, but also in the educators, families, and community systems that support them. Rainier Rising brings these pieces together, creating an integrated campus where learning, collaboration, and innovation strengthen the early learning ecosystem for the benefit of children and families.

The campus will:

Expand access to high-quality early learning for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children
Support family well-being through integrated health and social service partnerships
Strengthen the early childhood workforce through professional development and training
Advance research and innovation in teaching and learning locally and nationally
Serve as a community hub that brings together educators, healthcare providers, researchers, and family-serving organizations to better support children and families.

A PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

The campus will include classrooms serving children from infancy through preschool, each designed to support healthy development, exploration, and learning.

Key features include:

Infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms
Dedicated outdoor learning environments connected directly to classrooms
Observation spaces that support family engagement, educator learning, and research
Access to integrated health screenings and family services

The University of Washington Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Social Work have committed to maintaining a presence within the campus, helping connect children and families to preventive care, screenings, resources, and support services.

ADVANCING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE

A defining feature of the campus is its commitment to supporting educators and early learning professionals. The second floor will serve as a center for adult learning and professional development, providing training, coaching, and collaborative learning opportunities for practitioners across the region. Young learners engaged in play-based exploration in an early learning classroom

The campus will also bring together organizations working to improve outcomes for children and families, creating a dynamic ecosystem of partners committed to advancing early learning and improving outcomes for young children and families.

Confirmed community partners:

Launch
Cultivate Learning
Children's Alliance

Additional partnership conversations are underway, and we anticipate this network will continue to grow as the campus develops. Beyond serving as home to anchor organizations, Rainier Rising is designed to be a gathering place for the broader early learning community—a hub where educators, researchers, healthcare providers, advocates, and family-serving professionals can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another.

INNOVATION, RESEARCH, AND DEMONSTRATION

Educators and families collaborating in a classroom setting The Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus will serve as a living studio for innovation in early childhood education where emerging and current educators can come and hone their craft. Through dedicated demonstration and observation spaces, researchers, educators, and practitioners will have opportunities to explore effective teaching practices, develop professional learning resources, and share evidence-based approaches with the broader field.

This work will be led in partnership with Cultivate Learning and University of Washington faculty and researchers, helping translate research into practice and practice into impact.

COMMUNITY-CENTERED DEVELOPMENT

The campus is being developed in partnership with a network of neighborhood organizations and institutions that already serve Rainier Valley families, including schools, early learning providers, family support organizations, and local businesses.

Affordable Housing Units — part of the City of Seattle’s larger mixed-use development that combines affordable housing for over 400 families, early learning, family services, and workforce development to address multiple community priorities.

PROJECT TIMELINE

DATE	MILESTONE
October 2026	Groundbreaking
2027–2028	Construction, tenant buildout, and program development
Fall 2028	Campus opening

THE OPPORTUNITY

teacher with two students The Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus is more than a building. It is a long-term investment in children, families, educators, and communities. By bringing together early learning, health, research, workforce development, and affordable housing, this project will create a powerful model for how communities can support children during the most important years of development.

Together, we are building a place where children thrive, families find support, educators grow, and communities rise.

Thank you to our funding partners!

Bezos Family Foundation

Bill & Sally Neukom and The Neukom Family Foundation

Mark Torrance Foundation

Anonymous donor

City of Seattle

King County

State of Washington

United States Senate