Robert E. Lee High School Renaming Process To Resume

SPRINGFIELD, VA — The process of considering the renaming of Robert E. Lee High School will resume this month, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.

Lee High School has been around since 1958, but it was renamed for Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in 1964 amid the civil rights movement. After Fairfax County's school district renamed J.E.B. Stuart High School to Justice High School in the 2018-2019 school year, discussions emerged about Lee High School earlier this year.

In February, the school board voted to start the renaming process and seek public feedback. That process was delayed after K-12 schools were ordered to close for the rest of the academic year due to the pandemic.

Before schools closed, FCPS received feedback from a March 11 community meeting and email responses. Opinions on the name change were mixed. Those that supported a name change said the name doesn't embody the diversity of the school, or the Confederate general's legacy shouldn't be associated with the school.

"Why should we change the name? Because these names were instated to slow the civil rights movement and we need to undo that and our complicity in white supremacy," said one respondent.

Another person mentioned that buildings shouldn't be named after people due to changes in public opinion. There was some support for keeping the Lancers colors and mascot.

On the opposition side, several mentioned that the school is in the Lee District, which has a Lee District Park and recreation center. Others expressed concerns about erasing history.

Both sides expressed concerns about the cost and whether funding could go toward improving other aspects of the school.

"Help the children and the school versus changing the name that does nothing to support the children, teachers, PTA, community, sports teams here or anything for the school’s issues," wrote one opposed respondent.

There were a variety of suggestions for a new school name. Some proposed keeping Robert E. Lee High School or just Lee High School. Other suggestions included variations of New Frontier or Frontier High School, Franconia or another geographical location, Legacy High School, Harriet Tubman High School, Katherine Johnson High School or Rosa Parks High School.

The next step is a virtual school board hearing on June 22 at 4 p.m. Residents can sign up to speak or email comments to Region3admin@fcps.edu.

The school board will take an official vote on whether or not to rename the school on June 23. If approved, the superintendent will make a recommendation on a new name on June 23. A one-month public comment period, July 22 school board hearing and July 23 final action would follow.