SAN BERNARDINO, CA — In a move that reflects the power of student voice and the district’s commitment to listening to its community, the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to rename Chavez Middle School to Magnolia Heights Middle School.
Made in accordance with Board Policy 7310, the decision followed a student-centered engagement process designed to identify a new school name reflective of the campus community and its legacy for future generations. The renaming process was initiated following recent public concerns and community dialogue surrounding labor organizer Cesar Chavez.
SBCUSD became one of the first school districts in California to move swiftly to remove the name from a school campus following recent controversy surrounding his legacy. District 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 chapter built on pride, belonging and community.”
Students from diverse backgrounds participated in the renaming process through open dialogue, class discussions, surveys and feedback opportunities designed to ensure authentic engagement.
On April 28, students participated in a Thought Exchange survey that allowed them to not only propose names but also explain why their suggestions best aligned with the school’s values and identity. Students overwhelmingly favored the integration of “Magnolia,” citing the connection 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 proposed 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 participation 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 Ceballos 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 prioritizing 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.
