August 31 was the first day of school ever for the new Bethel High School at 7718 224th Street East, Graham. The school sits in a field that is part of the headwaters of Muck Creek. For many years is was a farm, and a favorite spot for skydiving. Later, the Rainier View Christian Church built on the site. The view of Mt. Rainier is awesome from there.

Due to the site being partially wetlands and because it is also outside the urban growth boundary, the district had many hurdles, rule changes to complete, and environmental opposition to address before the building could begin construction.

The Groundbreaking was held March 26, 2024.

After 23 years, Superintendent Tom Seigel retired and Brian Lowney began serving as District Superintendent. Ground preparation had already begun, but after this time, the building construction would begin.

As the finishing touches were being put on the outside, the inside had been certified for occupancy and classrooms were beginning to be set up in June, 2026. The coyotes scattered around the campus are an attempt to keep the Canadian geese excrement from becoming a problem. The geese love these big grassy fields.

The ribbon cutting happened on Friday, August 21, 2026 around 1 p.m. in the new gymnasium. Anyone who arrived through the south door to the gym was greeted by a cheer squad, including the guest of honor, Superintendent Seigel.

Here is a video link to the action moments and interior from the Ribbon Cutting. The speeches are not in this.

The 300,000 square foot new school has all the latest technology. There are air fryers in the culinary arts classes, big screens showing building and district history. It is said that is where the class photos will eventually be located. The only disappointment was the championship banners. For anyone that earned that title as a Bethel Brave, your banner now says you were a Bethel Bison. Former classes protested. Promises were made to remove the Bison from those and just put Bethel. Alumni are still waiting, 2 years now for that correction.

For all those alumni who are Native American, and there are a lot of you, we know you actually loved being the Braves. It was not started as anything but an acknowledgement of the area’s ties to the native population. The prairie called Elk Plain was a shared resource for many hunting, gathering, and later growing crops. The Hudson Bay farms scattered around the area employed native families in the mid-1800’s. Moloch House in Elk Plain was adjacent (kitty corner) from where the old Bethel High was located. Muck Station was near East Gate and SR507. Spanueh Station was located near the intersection of 176th and Pacific Avenue.

The North entrance next to the school office has an enormous mural donated by the Puyallup Tribe. On the mural is original language and translation of inspirational quotes. Much care was taken to blend the historic value and use of the area with a modern and highly functional building. It is truly a gift to have this huge, beautiful school, It took many long years and hard work to bring it to the district. Go see it if you get the chance.