The South Shore School facility is approximately 139,000 sq. ft. of structural steel and concrete with masonry veneer and metal siding panels. It is a two-storey structure with a third storey at the east wing. The buildings include a child care center, classrooms, a commercial grade kitchen, 10,000 sq. ft. gymnasium, library, stage, and a large radial common area which ties all three wings together. South Shore’s sustainable features include a green roof at the school’s entrance, optimized day-light with photocell-controlled lighting in all occupied spaces, a displacement ventilation system, and nontoxic, recycled-content building materials and finishes, all contributing to a high-performance healthy school.

The new South Shore School maintains its communal roots by remaining attached to the Rainier Beach Community Center, serving as a larger educational and community-use campus that provides a unique space for connection while emphasizing personalized learning.