Student Drop-off and Pick-up Directions

In 2025, the FOSB Traffic Safety Committee worked with Salmon Bay and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to roll out a circulation plan for drop-off and pick-up. Please consider how your family’s drop-off and pick-up routines can work with our school’s plan:

1. Drop/load by car east, with suggested K-5 / 6-8 areas
2. Park & Walk west, with suggested parking zones
3. School Street on 19th alongside buses (no thru traffic)
4. No Parking on the west side of 18th (5 minute loading zone)

Help us keep kids safe! Follow these rules when you travel to and from school:

• DO cross only at crosswalks and corners
• DO find a legal parking space and walk with your child
• DO stay with your car at all times in the loading zones
• DO NOT make U-turns or load/unload in intersections
• DO NOT park on 18th in the loading zones
• DO NOT drive on 19th in the School Street/Bus Zone

Salmon Bay K-8 Circulation Map 

To learn more or get involved with the FOSB Traffic Safety Committee, please visit friendsofsalmonbay.org/traffic-safety-committee. For help finding find safe walking and biking routes to school, use SDOT’s interactive map. Walking, biking, and rolling to school supports exercise, reduces pollution, and connects neighbors. Studies even show students arrive at school more attentive and ready to learn. Visit this page for resources to support you in walking, biking, and rolling to school.

Parking Information

Salmon Bay does not have a parking lot. The west side of 18th Ave NW is for 5 minute loading and unloading only. This is in effect 7 AM – 4 PM on school days. There are also two accessible (disabled parking permit required) parking spots on this portion of 18th. The east side of 19th Ave NW is for school buses only, and this block is also a School Street. School Streets are open for people walking, rolling, and biking, and closed to pass through traffic, including parents. This is in effect 7 AM – 5 PM on school days.

We encourage families to walk, roll, or bike with your child to school. If you must drive, try parking a block or two away and finishing the trip on foot, aka “Park & Walk.” School buses, other district transportation, and students with mobility needs may access the School Street block by car, and people driving who need to get to homes and businesses on a School Street are also able to drive on these streets. Learn more about School Streets at seattle.gov/schoolstreets. 

If you drive and park, please use legal street parking a few blocks away. If you have items to unload from your car, please do use the 18th loading zone, and then move your car to a legal street parking space. Many school community members prefer street parking to the west of the school, as it is further from 15th (a busy arterial) and Ballard High (where many students use neighborhood street parking).

Do not park or stop to load or unload in an intersection. Parking is never allowed within 5 feet of a driveway, 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection, or 30 feet of a stop or yield sign. Parking is also not allowed in loading zones, alleys, on sidewalks or planting strips, in tow-away zones, bus zones, or no-parking zones.