TOPS HISTORY TIMELINE
(The Option Program at Seward)

1974 Central District parents start new alternative elementary program; given space at Latona (AE III, Escuela Latona)
1975 District decides too many students from CD enrolled (indicating a successful program).  Either start new alternative program in the CD or disperse students.

Stevens principal, Bob Bass, willing to accept program.

1976 New alternative program becomes known as GAOP (Garfield Area Option Program), located at Stevens School serving the Central District.
1979 City School curriculum introduced.
1980 Name changed to TOPS (The Option Program at Stevens) due to District reorganizing area boundaries and no longing using Garfield Area.  TOPS continues to grow and be a popular choice.  Becomes all-city choice (?)
1985-87 For staffing reasons, TOPS spends two years asking to be officially recognized as an alternative school.  Gains alternative school status in 1987 but all alternative schools lost Head Teachers anyway due to District budget cuts.
1987-88 TOPS parents and staff, in support of Kendrick’s plan to strengthen schools, surveys community and researches the possibility of expanding TOPS in a site of their own, developing a strong preference for Seward. 
1988-89 School Board approves proposal to expand TOPS to K-8, adding one grade each year for the next three years.
1990 Kendrick makes written commitment to relocate TOPS to Seward in ’91.
TOPS adds its first 6th grade class and continues to be successful.
1991 TOPS relocates to Seward and continues growth.
1997 TOPS relocates to McDonald School while Seward is remodeled.

TOPS community works closely with architects to keep historical building intact and ensure that K-8 program needs and priorities are met.

1999 TOPS moves back into newly remodeled Seward.  Both elementary and middle school grades have waiting lists.
2006 Despite academic success and popularity with Seattle families, committee initially recommends that TOPS K-8 be relocated to smaller, elementary school facility.

Prepared by Toby Harris with material from the TOPS archives.