During the early years of Washington territory, the only public education available was provided through the mission works.  The Whitmans’ mission provided instruction for both Native Americans and the children of the settlers.  Other mission works were designed to civilize the Native Americans by teaching their children how to read and write.  Most of these works were run and paid for by their denomination. 

The first school in Seattle was started in 1854 by Catharine Blaine.  Until November 1861, it was a “tuition” or private school, instead of a state school.  In 1861, the students were sent to the new Territorial University (now known as the University of Washington).  The University closed three times in the next twenty years due to shortage of funds and students. 

Because of the late start Washington had in education, female teachers and students were accepted without question.  In 1864, Asa Mercer recruited fifteen women to increase the supply of teachers and women in the Puget Sound area.  Known as the Mercer Girls, many taught in the territory, even at the University.  Elizabeth Ordway, one of the Mercer Girls, started the first public school in Seattle.  In 1876, Clara McCarty became the first graduate from the University of Washington.  McCarty went on to become a teacher and the first superintendent of the Pierce County schools.

By the time Washington became a state in 1889, the University of Washington was firmly established and other universities had started.  In 1882, Whitman Seminary was changed into the four-year, degree-granting Whitman College.  Washington State University was founded in 1890 and opened in 1892 as the state’s land-grant college. 

Washington has a unique history regarding civil rights and racial discrimination due to the numerous racial groups living there.  From the 1910s through the 1960s, many areas of life in King County were restricted not only from African Americans, but Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans.  Segregation of employment and housing led to segregated schooling.  Schools that primarily or exclusively taught colored children received less funding and less experienced teachers.  The results were lower test scores, lower graduation rates, and graduates who had learned they were inferior and worthless. 

From the late 1950s to the 1960s, civil rights groups tried to persuade a white school board to deal with the racial discrimination in the Seattle Public Schools.  Unsuccessful, they resorted to more dramatic actions: the Seattle School Boycott of 1966.  For two days, students left Seattle’s public schools to attend integrated “freedom schools”.  Around 30% of the participating students were white.  Although the boycott opened the eyes of many white people, the removal of segregated schools took several years to complete.  Now, the Washington State Constitution promises[*] to provide sufficient education without discrimination. 

 

 

[*] It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex. — Preamble to Article IX of the Washington State Constitution.