From 1976 – 2026, we have dedicated ourselves to educating young minds, building community, and inspiring a love of learning. This school year marks 50 years of memorable Meridian moments, and we are deeply inspired as we reflect on the generations of students who have walked through our halls.
Founded in 1946 by E. Louise Perkins, a Seattle piano teacher, The Meridian School began as Perkins Musical Kindergarten. In 1961, Mrs. Perkins and teacher Betty Lea became business partners. In 1972, Mrs. Perkins retired, and Betty purchased her share of the school. In 1976, after expanding the program to include the lower elementary grades, Betty rented classroom space and officially founded Perkins Elementary School.
In 1978, Betty applied for and received 501(c)(3) non-profit status for the school and hired Ellen Toole as a teacher and administrator. By 1981, Ellen had taken over most of the administration of Perkins Elementary School and found space at the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood.
The new campus of The Meridian School has established the institution as a leader in place-based learning. Through close connections with the historic Good Shepherd Center, Meridian Park, and the surrounding Wallingford neighborhood, students engage in experiential learning that fosters responsibility and compassion. The Good Shepherd Center, our home, is not only a school building but also a vibrant community hub operated by Historic Seattle that hosts several organizations, including the Wallingford Senior Center, Alliance Française, Tilth Alliance, and more. This collaborative environment fosters enriching interactions and demonstrates how we can learn from our neighbors, embodying the guiding principles of Meridian Cares.
That September, the school opened with 30 students enrolled, and Ellen became headmistress the next year. In 1991, Betty Lea retired, and not long after, the school was renamed to The Meridian School because of its proximity to Meridian Park.
Ellen Toole retired in 2004, and the school established the Ellen Toole Endowment for Professional Development in her honor and raised funds for it.
Ellen built a legacy of a strong, dynamic academic program, a dedicated, engaging, and active staff, and a warm, welcoming climate. During her tenure, the school grew from 30 students to 168.
Long-time faculty member Marilyn Easton began working at The Meridian School in 1988. After her retirement in June 2015, the Marilyn Easton Endowment Fund was created to further the School’s commitment to equity and inclusion.
Fundraising has continued to help the school build its unique educational program, enabling several renovations to the Good Shepherd Center’s leased spaces and the purchase of an adjacent house that houses the PreKindergarten program and administrative offices.
The Meridian School continues to benchmark itself as one of the best elementary schools in Seattle, Washington. We are grateful for the decades of support from our Meridian community and proud to celebrate this incredible half-century milestone.
