In 1892, a Yesler schoolhouse was opened by Yesler School District No. 77, just south of Calvary Cemetery. Some of the children were unhappy having to walk through a cemetery to get to school. After the addition of a second room in 1910 or 1911, boys were taught in one room by a male teacher and girls in the other by a female teacher.

After annexation of the area to Seattle, land for a new, larger school was purchased in 1918.