About
Frantz H. Coe Elementary School
Our Mission & Vision
Our mission is to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive learning community where every student feels a deep sense of belonging, receives a high-quality education, and is empowered to achieve their fullest potential. We inspire curiosity, resilience, responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning as students grow into thoughtful contributors to their school, community, and world.
Our motto:
Be safe.
Be kind.
Be Coe (responsible & respectful).
Coe Cougars are:
- Welcome
- Important
- Respected
- Encouraged
- Loved
Our Commitment to Excellence, Belonging, and Partnership
Coe Elementary School is proud of its longstanding tradition of academic excellence, strong family partnerships, and commitment to community and service. We strive to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where every student engages in high-quality learning experiences, is empowered to reach their full potential, and every family feels valued, connected, and supported.
Our dedicated staff is committed to ensuring that all students are safe, supported, and ready to learn. We prioritize student well-being, maintain high expectations paired with meaningful support, and provide rigorous, responsive instruction that meets the diverse needs of our learners. Through positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging, we foster a school culture where every student feels welcomed, respected, encouraged, and cared for.
We believe students thrive when educators, families, and the broader community work together in partnership. By building strong, collaborative relationships centered on the success of each child, we create the foundation for students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally while developing the skills and confidence to contribute positively to their communities.
Our History
Frantz H. Coe Elementary School is named in honor of Frantz H. Coe, M.D. (1856-1904), a physician, educator, and visionary leader whose commitment to public education helped shape Seattle schools.
Dr. Coe began his career in education as principal of the Phoenix, Michigan public schools at the age of 23. After attending medical school in 1884, he moved to Seattle in 1888 to establish his medical practice. Although he became a highly respected physician, he never lost his passion for education. Serving on the Seattle School Board from 1901 until his death in 1904, Dr. Coe was recognized as a progressive thinker and advocate for educational opportunity.
Among his lasting contributions was his support for women in educational leadership. His advocacy helped pave the way for the appointment of women as school principals in Seattle. In 1907, three years after his death, the Seattle School Board honored his legacy by naming the school in his memory. Today, we proudly continue the spirit of innovation, equity, and service that he championed.
Coe Elementary has been a cornerstone of the Queen Anne community since opening on its current site in 1905. The school began in two temporary wooden structures and initially served as an annex to Queen Anne School, later known as West Queen Anne School. In 1907, those buildings were replaced by an eight-room, two-story school designed by architect James Stephen in the classic Colonial Revival style. As the surrounding neighborhood grew, an eight-room addition was completed in 1914, expanding the school’s capacity to serve a growing student population.
For generations, Coe’s historic building held the memories of countless students, families, and educators. On January 21, 2001, a devastating fire destroyed much of the landmark structure while it was undergoing renovation. At the time, the Coe community was temporarily housed at Magnolia Elementary School. Although the loss of the historic building was deeply felt, the strength and resilience of the Coe community endured.
In the wake of the fire, families, staff, and community members united around a shared commitment to preserve the school’s legacy. A new building, thoughtfully designed to reflect the character and spirit of the original Coe School, opened in December 2002. Continuing its tradition of growth and service to students, the school expanded again with the opening of a six-classroom addition during the 2021-22 school year.
Today, Coe Elementary honors its history while embracing the future, building on a legacy of academic excellence, equity, community connection, and a deep commitment to every student’s success.
Our Students
Total Students: 492
Grade level class configurations are based on current enrollment and district staffing allocations finalized each spring.
Our Staff
Total Staff 49
Average years of teaching experience: 12
Our Leadership
Lindsey Backstrom, Principal
Katie May, Assistant Principal
Academics
Learn more about curriculum at Coe.
Sample Schedules
Sample Kindergarten Schedule
Regular hand hygiene is scheduled throughout the day, especially before and after meals and when entering and leaving classrooms.
7:55 – School begins
7:55- 8:20 Social Emotional Learning/Class Meeting
8:20 – 9:10 Handwriting & Fine Motor Development
9:10 – 9:25 Kindergarten Morning Recess
9:30 – 10:45 Literacy & Small Group Time
10:45 – 11:05 Lunch
11:05 – 11:25 Lunch Recess
11:25 – 12:00 Science
12:00 – 12:40 Specialists (Performing Arts, Health & Fitness, Visual Arts, Library, Social Emotional)
12:40 – 1:25 Mathematics & Small Group Time
1:25 – 1:50 Kindergarten Afternoon Recess
1:50 – 2:25 Student Choice Time/Imagination Stations
2:25 – School Day Ends
Sample Third Grade Schedule
Regular hand hygiene is scheduled throughout the day, especially before and after meals and when entering and leaving classrooms.
7:55 – School begins
7:55 – 8:20 Social Emotional Learning / Class Meeting
8:20 – 9:40 Mathematics
9:50 – 10:05 Third Grade Morning Recess
10:05 – 10:45 Specialists (Performing Arts, Health & Fitness, Visual Arts, Library, Social Emotional)
10:45 – 11:35 Writing
11:35 – 11:55 Lunch
11:55 – 12:15 Lunch Recess
12:15 – 1:10 Reading
1:10 – 1:20 – Third Grade Afternoon Recess
1:20 – 2:25 Science, Social Studies
2:25 – School Day Ends
Social Emotional Learning
Learn more about our approach to supporting positive behavior and social emotional learning.
Student Support Programs
Multidisciplinary Studies
- Performing Arts
- Library
- Visual Arts
- Health & Fitness
Parent & Caregiver Engagement
Kindergarten
Preparing for Kindergarten
- Beginning in January – Enroll your child now
- Spring (Early June)- New families receive welcome communication
- Mid August– Kindergarten families receive communication regarding kindergarten transition activities. Note: Seattle Public Schools no longer funds the Jump Start program.
- Late August – Your child’s kindergarten teacher will reach out to you to schedule connection meetings.
- Late August – All Coe families receive welcome letter with important start of school details
- September 2-4- Family Connection Meetings
- September 8 – First day of Kindergarten
Helping Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten
Enrollment
Help us plan for fall by enrolling early!