Suggest new name for Alameda’s Haight Elementary School

The Alameda Unified School District is seeking suggestions from the community for a new name for Henry Haight Elementary. 

Following a petition drive led by parents and students to rename Haight School after the racist past of the school’s namesake, Henry H. Haight, became public, the district appointed a Haight School Renaming Committee (HRC). 

The HRC discussed attributes, characteristics, and values for a new name school name and adopted common principles and themes to guide the selection process. The committee is seeking names of “A person or value” which “is the antithesis of what (Henry H.) Haight represented.” The principles and themes include: “unity, diversity, inclusivity, community leader, involved in education, local connection and/or impact, and devoted to civil rights/social justice/equity.”

Of the district’s current eight elementary schools, five are named after white men and three after women, including two women of color: Ruby Bridges and Maya Lin, according to a district analysis. Washington School was renamed after Maya Lin after the school closed in 2012.

Proposed names can be submitted until October 1 via email, electronically, or at Haight Elementary School. Contact renamehaight@alamedaunified.org with more info.

The HRC will review the names and use the criteria and board policy narrow down the list. The HRC consists of parents, staff, alumni, and community members. There are no students on the committee.