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).

October 30 Update

Each committee has met at least once (Johnson met twice). Here is a status update for each committee:

• At Burnley-Moran, the task is to identify a new name to complete work begun by an earlier committee begun in 2023.  The committee reviewed a presentation on past work by the previous committee as well as the results of the fall 2024 survey. The committee received clarity that they should identify a name that focuses on purpose or place as written in the policy, and the new name should not uphold the school’s current initials (BME).  The survey data indicated that the top vote-getter was Riverview, but as part of the survey, a staff member submitted a write-in to modify this to Rivervista or just Vista, noting that the word “vista” conveys not just “seeing,” but “a sense of being part of a landscape that inspires vision, direction, perspective, a broad or extensive, encompassing mental view/outlook, mindset, purpose -- a feeling of being part of infinite potential from a grounded/steady place.” The committee agreed that vista (as opposed to “view”) resonated with them. They also wanted to continue to generate new possible names before making a recommendation. Committee members are currently reviewing previous suggestions and submitting nominations. They are voting to see which names will move forward for their consideration at meeting two.
   
• At Greenbrier, the task is to begin and complete the name review process. Based on the fall 2024 survey, 76% of participants felt the school should keep its name. Another 16% were neutral about the name change, resulting in a total of 92% who were either neutral or positive about keeping the name. While only a small number of committee members were present at this first meeting, the initial sense was to follow the community’s feedback and strongly consider keeping the name particularly since it already met the “purpose or place” recognition in the policy. The conversation moved towards a possible vote at the upcoming meeting.
   
• At Jackson-Via, the task is to begin and complete the name review process. The fall 2024 survey indicated support for keeping the name as is. Specifically, for Jackson, 77% of participants felt strongly the school should keep her name. Including the 9% of neutral participants, a total of 86% were neutral to strongly in favor of keeping the Jackson namesake. Specifically for Via, 59% felt strongly about keeping the name. Another 19% were neutral, yielding a total of 78% who were neutral to strongly in favor of keeping the namesake Via. The committee began their discussions and will continue this conversation at the next meeting.
   
• At Johnson, the task is to identify a new name to complete work begun by an earlier committee begun in 2023. The committee has met twice. The committee was pleased with the name suggestions and feedback from the fall 2024 survey. The top four vote-getters were Forest Grove, Oakleaf, Rock Creek, and Tall Oaks. (There were also some write-ins in favor of retaining Cherry Avenue.) Meeting one featured open-ended discussion about all these possibilities but ended with particular focus on Forest Grove and Tall Oaks. At meeting two, discussions continued. By the end of the second meeting, consensus emerged around the name Tall Oaks Elementary School. They appreciated this name because the school community embraces its wooded landscape, which prominently contains a large, historic oak among many other oaks across the campus. They also took inspiration from the expression, “From little acorns come mighty oaks.” They felt like this saying captures the growth and empowerment that occurs within the school community. The committee welcomes additional feedback about this name possibility – Tall Oaks Elementary School (or TOES, an acronym that the committee felt was suitably playful for an elementary school).
   

Submit comments to schoolnames@charlottesvilleschools.org.

November 2024
Greenbrier will recommend keeping the name, which derives from the neighborhood. The committee notes that this recommendation is in keeping with public feedback and in alignment with the Board’s policy that new names should focus on the school’s purpose or place.

October 2024
At Greenbrier, the task is to begin and complete the name review process. Based on the fall 2024 survey, 76% of participants felt the school should keep its name. Another 16% were neutral about the name change, resulting in a total of 92% who were either neutral or positive about keeping the name. While only a small number of committee members were present at this first meeting, the initial sense was to follow the community’s feedback and strongly consider keeping the name particularly since it already met the “purpose or place” recognition in the policy. The conversation moved towards a possible vote at the upcoming meeting.

Greenbrier Name Information

Greenbrier Elementary opened as a white-only elementary school in 1962. It was the last of the Charlottesville City Schools to desegregate.

Greenbrier is named for its surrounding neighborhood, and the name does not derive from an area plantation. By the time the School Board began considering the official school name, the Board concluded that the community had already begun to refer to the school as Greenbrier Elementary and made the name official.

November 2024 Update

Jackson-Via will recommend keeping its name. This is in alignment with community feedback. The committee also notes that both namesakes made significant contributions to our schools and community. Born into slavery, Nannie Cox Jackson was a leader at Jefferson School and in the community. As principal, Betty Via played a pivotal role in welcoming Black students into formerly all-white Johnson Elementary. (Interviews with the “trailblazers” and their parents affirmed that they appreciated Ms. Via’s support during desegregation and felt she should remain the school’s namesake.) While questions had been raised about Via’s writings, committee members took a deep dive and resolved their concerns (continue reading to find more information). Committee members point out that these two women were purposefully chosen to reflect Jackson-Via’s historical significance as Charlottesville's first intentionally desegregated school.
 

October 2024 Update
At Jackson-Via, the task is to begin and complete the name review process. The fall 2024 survey indicated support for keeping the name as is. Specifically, for Jackson, 77% of participants felt strongly the school should keep her name. Including the 9% of neutral participants, a total of 86% were neutral to strongly in favor of keeping the Jackson namesake. Specifically for Via, 59% felt strongly about keeping the name. Another 19% were neutral, yielding a total of 78% who were neutral to strongly in favor of keeping the namesake Via. The committee began their discussions and will continue this conversation at the next meeting.

Jackson-Via Elementary Namesake Information

Jackson-Via was built in 1969 as the first intentionally racially integrated school in Charlottesville; the namesakes were chosen to reflect this purpose.

NANNIE COX JACKSON

• Nannie Cox Jackson was a Black educator born into slavery who later sought out education in Washington DC and the University of Virginia.

• She taught at the Jefferson School and other area Black schools. At the Jefferson School, outside her teaching responsibilities in the area of home economics, she established a free school meal program, as well as the school’s football team.

• She also had a major impact on the Charlottesville Black community and accumulated a significant real estate holding in the Vinegar Hill area.

• She rented her properties to young teachers and others, and at the time of her death in 1953, her estate valued more than $1,000,000.

• She served the community as an educator and entrepreneur for five decades.

• Find more information from the “Correcting the Narrative website with additional information from Cvillepedia.

BETTY VIA

• Betty Via taught in Charlottesville schools and was principal at both Venable and the newly opened Johnson School.

• The first part of her career was at white-only segregated schools. While she was principal at Johnson in 1962, the school became the second CCS school to be desegregated. As adults, Johnson Elementary's four Black “trailblazer” students have described her as a welcoming principal who took steps to assure they were safe and supported. When we reached out to them to get their feedback about name changes (for both Johnson and Jackson-Via), they were in favor of keeping Via as the namesake.

• She wrote children's books about Thomas Jefferson and Monticello that used language that initially raised concern for the committee. 

  • To learn more about Via’s writings (mostly young adult historical fiction about Thomas Jefferson), a committee member recently visited UVA Special Collections to review all of Via’s writings so the committee could discuss them. The person who did the research found that the language in the materials:
    • Was acceptable in Via’s day and accurate in Jefferson’s (ie, the works use the word “servant” to refer to an enslaved person who worked indoors instead of in fields)
    • Modeled for readers that it is better to refer to people by name than by label
    • Communicated that “all men are created equal” (in the context of multi-cultural characters)
    • The committee member found that most of her books would not raise questions today. The two that do raise the above questions were among Via’s early writings (in 1938 and 1942).
       

• Remembering her after her death, Mr. Booker T. Reaves, long-time principal of the all-Black Jefferson School and the first African-American Assistant Superintendent and Acting Superintendent of Charlottesville City Schools, noted: "She had an excellent personality, and was liked by all of those who worked with her. She liked her teachers and she liked the people she worked with. As a matter of fact, I don’t remember any conflicts involving her in all that time."

• Find more information from the “Correcting the Narrative” website here. Largely similar information is from Cvillepedia.

As part of the plans for modernizing Buford Middle School, the School Board voted in June 2023 to change the school’s name to Charlottesville Middle School, effective August 2025, when students are planned to begin using the new building on the school campus.  

The decision was time-sensitive since some items that include the renovated school’s name have long planning or order-fulfillment timelines. For instance, a committee is currently being formed to make decisions about signage and other environmental graphics. 

“This recommendation follows the current trend to move away from school names that honor individuals,” noted Dr. Gurley. “In addition, it indicates that we are essentially building a new school serving grades 6-8. The recommended name is fitting since this middle school will become the place that welcomes all Charlottesville sixth-graders from their neighborhood elementary schools.”

Learn more about the modernization of the middle school.

November 2024 Update

• Burnley-Moran is considering options and beginning to focus on variations of the name Sunrise, a nod to the school being the easternmost school in our city (with lovely sunrise views as depicted in the photo). Committee members like the way that sunrise conveys a sense of hope, warmth, and new beginnings. It shows the power of students rising through their years in our school. The committee is also considering Sunrise Vista as an alternative (the idea of honoring the school’s beautiful vistas has also arisen in feedback). Based on interest in a name honoring the nearby river and in honor of the school’s bobcat mascot, the name River Den has also emerged. Feel free to email schoolnames@charlottesvilleschools.org with any feedback. 
• Johnson will recommend Tall Oaks. They favored this name because the school community embraces its wooded landscape with trails and outdoor learning spaces. The campus prominently contains a large, historic oak among many other oaks across the grounds. They also took inspiration from the expression, “From little acorns come mighty oaks.” They felt like this saying captures the growth and empowerment that occurs within the school community. While the committee heard some opposition to the name (largely based on the fact that its acronym is TOES), the committee also heard warm support. The committee notes that Johnson almost never used the initials JES and that if Tall Oaks chooses to use its initials in the future, they could do so in the spirit of play and fun.
• More about the top 4-5 names considered:
  • Cherry Avenue, which was not approved by the School board in 2023, continued to receive polarizing feedback, so the committee did not want to move it forward.
  • Forest Grove received community feedback that the name was redundant (like “ocean water”). The word “Grove” in particular did not seem to evoke the forested feeling of the campus.
  • Oakleaf did not receive as much support as Tall Oaks.
  • Rock Creak was set aside for fear of causing confusion about the schools’ exact location. Over the years, the naming committees have been mindful that picking a nearby street or landmark might convey that the school is on, for instance, Rock Creek Road.

October 2024 Update

• At Burnley-Moran, the task is to identify a new name to complete work begun by an earlier committee begun in 2023.  The committee reviewed a presentation on past work by the previous committee as well as the results of the fall 2024 survey. The committee received clarity that they should identify a name that focuses on purpose or place as written in the policy, and the new name should not uphold the school’s current initials (BME).  The survey data indicated that the top vote-getter was Riverview, but as part of the survey, a staff member submitted a write-in to modify this to Rivervista or just Vista, noting that the word “vista” conveys not just “seeing,” but “a sense of being part of a landscape that inspires vision, direction, perspective, a broad or extensive, encompassing mental view/outlook, mindset, purpose -- a feeling of being part of infinite potential from a grounded/steady place.” The committee agreed that vista (as opposed to “view”) resonated with them. They also wanted to continue to generate new possible names before making a recommendation. Committee members are currently reviewing previous suggestions and submitting nominations. They are voting to see which names will move forward for their consideration at meeting two.
• At Johnson, the task is to identify a new name to complete work begun by an earlier committee begun in 2023. The committee has met twice. The committee was pleased with the name suggestions and feedback from the fall 2024 survey. The top four vote-getters were Forest Grove, Oakleaf, Rock Creek, and Tall Oaks. (There were also some write-ins in favor of retaining Cherry Avenue.) Meeting one featured open-ended discussion about all these possibilities but ended with particular focus on Forest Grove and Tall Oaks. At meeting two, discussions continued. By the end of the second meeting, consensus emerged around the name Tall Oaks Elementary School. They appreciated this name because the school community embraces its wooded landscape, which prominently contains a large, historic oak among many other oaks across the campus. They also took inspiration from the expression, “From little acorns come mighty oaks.” They felt like this saying captures the growth and empowerment that occurs within the school community. The committee welcomes additional feedback about this name possibility – Tall Oaks Elementary School (or TOES, an acronym that the committee felt was suitably playful for an elementary school).
  •  

Spring 2023
Following the School Board’s request for further feedback and name suggestions, the staff at both Burnley-Moran and Johnson met to discuss further name possibilities.

Burnley Moran:

• The Burnley-Moran staff continued to advocate for a name that memorialized the BME initials, but others felt that this reinforced the historic names. 
• There was widespread interest in the school’s unique proximity to two environmental features, both the nearby Rivanna and the Southwest Mountains (the school has a great view). It is recommended that we avoid the Colonial name Rivanna (derived from River Anne).
• This led to ideas along the lines of "Riverview," "Rivermount," “River Ridge” etc. 
• A name focusing on the school's place near the river and mountains would be a call to notice the surrounding beauty, to take advantage of these natural resources, and to take care of the Earth.

Johnson:

• There was some continued interest in the name Cherry Avenue.
• There was some support for a name that celebrated the school's important role in desegregation (both in Charlottesville and nationally), but there was also concern that such a name might duplicate or cause confusion with Trailblazer Elementary (the former Venable Elementary).
• Later discussion among staff brought forth two themes: (1) the school's large, forested, much-used campus and (2) the school's strong sense of family/community. 
• Staff began brainstorming new names that would bring these ideas together, but no clear winner emerged. 

March 29, 2023

Charlottesville School Board will vote on affirming a name change for Burnley-Moran and Johnson, but will pause on voting on specific name recommendations to allow the staff and the school communities time to explore other names that are better reflective of the schools’ purpose and place.

Dear Burnley-Moran and Johnson communities–

Thanks for your ongoing involvement as we continue the process of evaluating new names for your schools. As you know, based on community feedback, the Naming of Schools Facilities Committee recommended changing the names of the schools and identified two name recommendations (Blue Mountain for Burnley-Moran; Cherry Avenue for Johnson).

At their April 13 School Board meeting, the Board plans to vote on affirming the idea of changing these two schools’ names, but they and Dr. Gurley would like to pause on the actual selection of the two new names.

The hope is that with further time for reflection, we will find names that more fully align with the guiding principles of purpose and place. 

• A name with “purpose” might be values-driven or aspirational. A name filled with purpose would communicate our goal of helping students be their best selves and make our world better. The new names for Venable (Trailblazer) and Clark (Summit) demonstrate purpose–inviting students to be trailblazers or to reach new summits.
• A name with “place” might focus on the local schools’ own history or geographic location. Again, at Venable, the name “Trailblazer” honors the school’s history as a site where members of the Charlottesville 12 desegregated our schools. Clark’s mountain views and the fact that it is situated on high ground in Belmont led to the selection of “Summit.”

It may not be possible to find names for Burnley-Moran and Johnson that combine both purpose and place, but we would like to slow down the name selection process to give us the best chance of finding lastingly meaningful and fitting names for our schools.

Next Steps

• Division staff are reaching out to horticulturalists and other local experts who can generate some ideas inspired by plants, trees, or geographical features that are unique or local to Charlottesville or these schools.
• The facilitators who are helping to develop the next Charlottesville Schools strategic plan will meet with Burnley-Moran and Johnson staff members to consider name possibilities. Depending on whether each school’s staff emerges with a single recommendation or a few finalist names (or if they need additional time), we will craft a plan moving forward.
• Have a nomination for us to consider? Let us know. We received a number of nominations in the initial survey but are still listening. Just remember that the committee has decided against selecting new names that honor people.
• We’ll keep our students posted – especially our third- and fourth-graders who already expressed some of their ideas as part of this process.

Thanks for your patience and ongoing support!

March 2, 2023

• Charlottesville Schools Committee to Recommend Burnley-Moran Become Blue Mountain Elementary and Johnson Become Cherry Avenue Elementary
• A committee reviewing the names of city schools plans to recommend that the School Board vote to rename Burnley-Moran Elementary as Blue Mountain Elementary, and Johnson Elementary as Cherry Avenue Elementary. The Board will hear this recommendation at their March 2 meeting, with a vote expected at their April 13 meeting.
• In January the Charlottesville City Schools Naming of Facilities Committee collected and reviewed public feedback – including a student vote at each school – indicating community support for changing the names of Burnley-Moran Elementary and Johnson Elementary. In February, the committee surveyed staff at each of those two schools to give additional input about the top two name choices at each school.
• The task of the Naming of Facilities Committee is to make a recommendation to the Charlottesville City School Board for each school on the question of whether its name is in alignment with the division’s current values, particularly racial equity. In the case of Burnley-Moran and Johnson, the three namesakes of these schools—Carrie Burnley, Sarepta Moran, and James G. Johnson—all served Charlottesville’s racially segregated white schools as teacher, principal, or superintendent. 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.

In January, after a review process by the Naming of Facilities Committee, the School Board voted to rename Venable Elementary as Trailblazers Elementary, and Clark Elementary as Summit Elementary.

February 3, 2023

• Naming Committee Plans Recommendation to Change Names of Burnley-Moran and Johnson; Additional Feedback from School Staffs Among Final Name Choices
• After reviewing feedback from the community that indicated community support for changing the names of Burnley-Moran and Johnson, the Naming of Facilities community is planning to recommend new names for the schools. Both schools have two possible new names that have received about equal support (at Burnley-Moran, Blue Mountain and Rivanna; at Johnson, Cherry Avenue and Forest Hills). The committee will survey both schools’ staffs to guide the choice about which name to recommend for each school.
• The task of the Naming of Facilities Committee is to make a recommendation to the Charlottesville City School Board for each school on the question of whether its name is in alignment with the division’s current values, particularly racial equity. In the case of Burnley-Moran and Johnson, the three namesakes of these schools—Carrie Burnley, Sarepta Moran, and James G. Johnson—all served Charlottesville’s racially segregated white schools as teacher, principal, or superintendent. 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.

More Information about Methods of Receiving Feedback

• On January 13, a survey about the names opened to the public, including school staff, families, and community members. The survey received 396 submissions. On January 26, a community forum with 34 in attendance was held to discuss the names. On January 30, third- and fourth-grade students were polled about the matter. In addition, for Johnson, the committee has tasked Ms. Beth Cheuk and Mr. James Bryant (School Board chair) to reach out to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Williams and the four students who initially desegregated Johnson School for their perspective on the naming change.

Burnley-Moran Feedback

• Regarding the name Burnley-Moran, 61 percent of survey respondents showed support for changing the name, while 23 percent indicated that the name should not change, a margin of about 3 to 1 in favor of a name change (3 in favor, 1 opposed). Another 16 percent selected a middle option of neither supporting nor opposing a change. In addition, participants were asked, “In case we decide to pick a new name, please rank these suggestions and add your own ideas, below!” The suggestions that received the highest votes were Blue Mountain (177 first- and second-place votes) and Rivanna (221 first- and second-place votes).
• At the community forum, the public survey results were presented, and a variety of perspectives were heard. Two descendents of Ms. Burnley and Ms. Moran expressed their desire that either the names not be changed, or that all the school names be changed. There was a reminder that these were the first female principals in our schools at a time when there was predominantly male leadership.
• At the student vote, Blue Mountain (or a variant, Blue Ridge Mountain) received 50 votes, while Rivanna received 17. Abstentions and write-ins were also accepted, with 20 of the 103 students writing that they wished to keep Burnley-Moran.

Johnson Feedback

• Regarding the name Johnson, 50 percent of survey respondents showed support for changing the name, while 30 percent indicated that the name should not change, a closer margin of 5 to 3 in favor of a name change (5 in favor, 3 opposed). Another 20 percent selected a middle option of neither supporting nor opposing a change. In addition, participants were asked, “In case we decide to pick a new name, please rank these suggestions and add your own ideas, below!” The suggestions that received the highest votes were Cherry Avenue (150 first- and second-place votes) and Forest Hills (139 first- and second-place votes). Because of the school’s significant Civil Rights history, there were also suggestions that alluded to this history. Of these, the highest vote-getter was Landmark, which received 68 first- and second-place votes, or fourth overall.
• Again, at the community forum, the public survey results were presented, and a variety of perspectives were heard. Ms. Scheryl WIlliams Glanton, who was one of four to first desegregate the school, expressed the view that she disagreed with the Naming Committee’s decision to not select new school names in honor of individuals. She described her parents’ sacrifices during the Civil Rights era both generally and in particular as part of the effort to desegregate Johnson. In addition, the Johnson discussion featured remarks by some participants that students and the community had connections with the names and didn’t want a change.
• At the student vote, Cherry Avenue received 17 votes, Forest Hills received 21, and Landmark received 17. Abstentions and write-ins were also accepted, with 28 of the 103 students writing that they wished to keep Johnson.
• As requested, Mr. Bryant and Ms. Cheuk reached out to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Williams and the four students who initially desegregated Johnson School for their perspective on the possible name change, including the question of whether a name that referenced the school’s Civil Rights history would be preferred. Mr. Williams expressed no opinion about the name itself but wanted to be sure that students are taught local history, especially about the schools. Mr. Williams’ daughters expressed the view that a new name should honor their parents. Mr. Mike Lewis deferred to the wishes of the local community (but stated his appreciation for the name Trailblazers that had been selected at Venable, honoring the Charlottesville 12 and other students and families who desegregated our schools). Ms. Rosalind Whitlock has not been available for discussion.

The Naming of Facilities Committee Meeting

• The committee discussed the results of both the public and students surveys, including break-outs of staff data from the larger survey. They also heard a recap of the discussions from the public forum.
• Among the discussion topics was the idea of whether the decision to keep or change the school names was centered on the individuals’ own biographies or the larger era of school segretation. All three of the current namesakes served white-only schools as teacher, principal, or superintendent during the era of school segregation. In other words, the names evoke and honor an era (school segregation) that does not reflect our current values and work.
• While the committee felt that the data from Burnley-Moran (at 60 percent, or about 3-to-1 in favor of a name change) was clear, there were some who noted the Johnson data was less clear (at 50 percent, or 5-to-3 in favor of a name change). Others pointed out that at 50 percent, the largest group of Johnson respondents was in favor of a name change, compared to 30 percent against and 20 percent undecided.
• After additional discussion, the committee voted to recommend a name change for both schools, with the decision focusing on the era that the schools represented instead of the personal contributions of the individuals. The committee expressed appreciation for the varying perspectives expressed as part of this process and recognizes that there are differences of opinion.
• Members also discussed the data about a preference for possible new names, including submissions from both the public and students. The suggestion of Williams from Ms. Glanton was discussed but the committee reiterated their position that they would not select a new name honoring individuals. Since for both schools, the data ranked two names at fairly equal votes (Blue Mountain and Rivanna at Burnley-Moran, and Cherry Avenue and Forest Hills at Johnson), the committee decided to request additional feedback from those schools’ staff, with a follow-up vote among those remaining choices Once this is completed, the committee will meet again to develop a final recommendation to share with the Board at the March meeting.

January 6, 2023

• Charlottesville Schools will Rename Clark and Venable Elementaries to Reflect Community Values Two Charlottesville City Schools elementaries will be renamed to reflect the community’s values.
• The Charlottesville School Board voted last night to change the name of Clark Elementary School to Summit Elementary School, and Venable Elementary School to Trailblazers Elementary School. These final decisions cap a review process that began in the summer of 2020.
• The name Summit Elementary evokes the school’s mountain views; it is also meant to encourage students to both reach new heights and consider themselves “a gathering of leaders,” touching on three meanings of the word summit. The name Clark was for Gen. George Rogers Clark, a Revolutionary War leader who also enslaved people and led in the genocide against Native Americans.
• The name Trailblazers Elementary honors the Charlottesville 12, the students who first desegregated Venable Elementary and Lane High School, as well as their parents and other early desegregation trailblazers in Charlottesville Schools. The name is also an invitation to current students to continue blazing new trails today. The name Venable was for Col. Charles S. Venable, a member of the Confederate Army and math professor at the University of Virginia who ardently perpetuated damaging myths about slavery throughout his life.
• The School Board voted on these names after hearing recommendations from the Naming of Facilities Committee, which had gathered community feedback via several public forums and surveys. The committee also heard from third and fourth graders at each of the two schools. In addition, for the naming of Venable, members of the Charlottesville 12 were consulted throughout the process.
• Clark and Venable were the first two Charlottesville schools to have their names reviewed. The Naming of Facilities Committee will meet next week to begin its review of the names of Burnley-Moran Elementary and Johnson Elementary. Information about both of those schools’ namesakes—and other materials relating to the process of reviewing school names in Charlottesville—can be found at charlottesvilleschools.org/school-names.
• If the committee recommends new names for Burnley-Moran and Johnson, it plans to avoid new names that honor an individual, as well as geographical places with associations that do not reflect the division’s values (like Belmont or Monticello, which are both connected with plantations and slavery). Instead, the committee will seek out names that are “aspirational” or that honor the school or community’s history and geography.
• In fall of 2024, the schools began using their new names.

What is the name review process?

In 2020, Cville Schools began the process of evaluating, case-by-case, whether our school names align with our current values, particularly around racial equity. If a naming committee recommends that a school change their name, the naming committee also guides the work of recommending a new name. (The goal was never to change all school names.)

Why not just keep the old names but pick a new namesake?

Community surveys indicated there was mixed opinion about whether to select brand-new names or “repurpose” the names by finding new namesakes. Ultimately the committee decided that to maintain the names – even with new namesakes – would uphold the connection to the original namesakes.
 

What criteria has the committee used to select name options? 

• The committee is interested in names that are “aspirational,” names that communicate our goal of helping students be their best selves and make our world better (such as trailblazers or people who reach new summits).
• The committee is also interested in names that mark our history. For instance, the name “Trailblazers” at Venable helps people honor and remember the school’s history as a site where members of the Charlottesville 12 desegregated our schools.
• The committee is also considering names that situate the school in its unique place (for example: the neighborhood, geographic features, or nearby streets). Clark’s mountain views led to the idea of “summit.”
• In short, we are seeking names that convey the schools’ purpose or place.
   

Are there criteria for names the committee will avoid?

• The committee is avoiding new names that honor an individual.
• In addition, the committee is avoiding geographical names with problematic associations (like Belmont or Monticello, which are both connected with plantations and slavery).