School Name Reviews Will Resume: Join a Committee

Dear Cville Schools community –

Charlottesville City Schools is resuming the process of reviewing the names of our elementary schools to make sure they reflect the current values of our community. We will form four committees to help us conclude this work:

• At Burnley-Moran and Johnson, the committees’ task is to recommend the new name for these schools, building off the previous committee’s work in 2022-23.  

• At Jackson-Via and Greenbrier, the committees’ work will be to begin and complete the process of reviewing the school’s name (and if any name changes are indicated, make a recommendation about a new name).

Ways You Can Be Involved

• Apply to serve on a school committee (the predicted commitment is up to 6 meetings over the next few months). Staff, students, parents/guardians, and community members are welcome to apply by September 29.

• Complete upcoming surveys or attend a community forum. The community forum is scheduled for October 14 at 5:30pm.

• Connect Cville Schools with living relatives of Nannie Cox Jackson or Betty Via. Comment below or email schoolnames@charlottesvilleschools.org.

• Provide additional information or resources about the names of Jackson-Via or Greenbrier. Comment below or email schoolnames@charlottesvilleschools.org.

  • While additional information relating to Burnley-Moran or Johnson is welcomed, their reviews were begun in 2022, and at this point, the process is focused on selecting new names. The decision to rename these schools was made based on the namesakes’ leadership of Charlottesville’s racially segregated white schools. The public feedback and the committee’s decision recognized that, regardless of the accomplishment or merit of these individuals, these schools’ names commemorate an era of segregated education that no longer reflects the division’s values.

Learn More

If you are interested in learning more about this process or applying to serve on a committee, please visit charlottesvilleschools.org/schoolnames. 

Cville Schools is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. This review process allows us to ensure our school names reflect those values.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership.