Lakeside School

Lakeside School is currently finishing construction on our first new Upper School academic building in 40 years. It will feature classrooms and labs worthy of the intellectual curiosity and abilities of our students and faculty; a wide variety of meeting and workspaces that meet the needs of today’s students; and outdoor spaces for learning and community-building. It will truly be a space that enables joyful learning and connection.

That joy extends to its name. Today, Lakeside’s Board of Trustees and I are excited to formally share the name of our new building:
 

The T.J. Vassar ’68 Center for the Sciences and Humanities
 

Many of you knew T.J. Vassar: a pillar of our community whose legacy continues to shape the school. A teacher, alum, mentor, and friend, T.J. was a wise and compassionate leader who deeply impacted Lakeside School and the city of Seattle. For many, he was the person who saw them as they truly are, who encouraged and supported them with love and understanding, and who made this school a place where they felt they belonged.

We invite you to watch this two-minute video that remembers T.J. Vassar, his impact, and his legacy.
 

Building names are lasting and visible reminders of the values that shape communities; they ensure the spirit and contributions of those who came before remain present for generations to come. More than labels on bricks and mortar, they are daily touchstones — places where students gather, learn, and are inspired. Our new building is possible thanks to the generosity of dozens of donors. In its naming, we collectively honor a transformational educator. To name this building for T.J. affirms his enduring contributions to Lakeside and his belief that education must be equitable, accessible, and serve both the individual and the broader community.

I hope you will join us this spring, when we officially open the doors of the T.J. Vassar ’68 Center for the Sciences and Humanities and celebrate as a community.