Lexington School May Get New Name to Reflect Community Values
Lexington, KY – By spring 2025, Lexington Traditional Magnet Middle School might have a new name that better represents the history and values of its East End community. School officials hosted a public forum on Thursday evening at the Lyric Theatre to gather input from community members regarding the renaming process.
Exploring New Name Options
At the forum, attendees discussed various name options for the school. These include:
- East End Middle School or Deweese Street Middle School, reflecting its geographic location.
- Lewis and Harriet Hayden Middle School, named after Black abolitionists who escaped slavery in Kentucky.
- Helen Caise Wade Middle School, honoring the first Black student to integrate Fayette County Schools.
- Zirl Palmer Middle School, after a respected Lexington pharmacist and community advocate.
Principal Byrne Jacobs emphasized the need for a name that acknowledges the significance of the East End while also representing the school’s current programming. He stated, “We realize that the name on our building doesn’t really represent the values or what we’ve become.”
A Long-standing Institution
The school, located at Fourth Street and North Limestone, has been part of East End Lexington for over a century. Originally opened as Lexington Senior High School, it was the first high school in Fayette County in the early 1900s. Its name has changed multiple times, including its transformation to Lexington Traditional Magnet Middle in the 1990s.
Jacobs noted that the current name does not align with the innovative and achievement-oriented approach the school embodies today. With about 300 students enrolled, the school offers programs like the Visual and Performing Arts Hub while also accommodating other students who meet specific criteria.
Community Engagement and Feedback
The school district’s naming policy allows for names based on prominent figures of good character or geographic locations. Some residents have expressed a desire to see the school named after the Haydens, whose contributions during the Underground Railroad are significant to the community’s history. A statue honoring the Hayden couple is being planned for the school, regardless of the final decision on the name.
Robert Hodge, president of the William Wells Brown Neighborhood Association, emphasized the need for community involvement in the renaming process. He voiced concern about the timing of the forum, suggesting that more notice could have engaged additional community members.
Looking Ahead
Principal Jacobs assured attendees that multiple open forums will be held to gather robust feedback. He aims to present a recommendation for the new name by May. “Our kids are going to learn so much about this community that they didn’t know prior, just by going through this process,” Jacobs stated. The school plans to incorporate student research on the naming options, allowing scholars to present their findings to the community.
As suggestions pour in, the conversation about renaming Lexington Traditional Magnet Middle School reflects a broader trend of communities seeking to honor diverse histories and values through educational institutions. The school hopes to finalize the decision in time for the next academic school year.
