Thursday, May 14, 2026 | Vol 40 No 9

WESTSIDESTORY NEWSPAPER

New Name. New Heights. New Chapter For Magnolia Heights Middle School

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Students at the formerly named Chavez Middle School meet to discuss their opinions and suggestions for the school's new name. The result of these student-led conversations was a unanimous decision by the Board of Education to rename the school Magnolia Heights Middle School. (Photo by MaryRone Goodwin and provided courtesy of SBCUSD)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA - In a move that reflects the power of student voice and the dis- trict's commitment to listening to its commu- nity, the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to rename Chavez Mid- dle School to Magnolia Heights Middle School. Made in accordance with Board Policy 7310, the decision followed a student-centered en- gagement process designed to identify a new school name reflective of the campus commu- nity and its legacy for future generations. The renaming process was initiated following re- cent public concerns and community dialogue surrounding labor organizer Cesar Chavez.

SBCUSD became one of the first school dis- tricts in California to move swiftly to remove the name from a school campus following re- cent controversy surrounding his legacy. Dis- trict leaders emphasized that the renaming process was guided not by politics, but by a commitment to ensuring students feel proud of and connected to the schools they attend.

"Students are the heart of everything we do," said Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. "Their feedback demonstrated thoughtfulness and pride in their community and a clear desire for a name that reflects unity. We wanted their voices to genuinely shape the future of this campus, and that is exactly what happened. Magnolia Heights Middle School represents a fresh chap- ter built on pride, belonging and community."

Students from diverse backgrounds participat- ed in the renaming process through open dia- logue, class discussions, surveys and feedback opportunities designed to ensure authentic en- gagement.

On April 28, students participated in a Thought Exchange survey that allowed them to not only propose names but also explain why their sug- gestions best aligned with the school's values and identity. Students overwhelmingly favored the integration of "Magnolia," citing the con- nection to Magnolia Avenue, the street on which the school is located. Many students also expressed a desire for a school name rooted in community identity and pride.

On May 1, a diverse committee of students met to discuss and identify the top three pro- posed names. Following the meeting, a ranked- choice Google Form survey was distributed to the entire student body. Ultimately, students selected Magnolia Heights Middle School as their top-ranked choice.

District officials noted that the strong participa- tion throughout the process demonstrated how deeply students cared about creating a school identity that reflects their aspirations and sense of belonging.

Board of Education President Mayra Cebal- los said she was pleased with how efficiently the renaming process moved forward while remaining thoughtful, student-centered and aligned with Board policy. She noted that the process met the Board's expectations by priori- tizing authentic engagement, elevating student voice and ensuring the new name reflected the values of the school community.

"It was a quick turnaround, and I am very happy and pleased with the outcome," Ceballos said.

The district will begin transitioning signage, materials and digital platforms to reflect the new Magnolia Heights Middle School name in the coming weeks.