San Diego Unified School District News Releases: CLAIREMONT HIGH SCHOOL’S NEW MASCOT NAME WILL BE “CAPTAINS,” IF APPROVED BY SAN DIEGO UNIFIED BOARD OF EDUCATION ON FEB. 24.

EDITOR NOTE: A Media Availability about the mascot name change will occur on Monday, Feb. 23 between 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. To schedule an interview in-person at Clairemont High, or virtually on Feb. 23 with the Board of Education Vice President and/or the school's Principal during this time, please contact James Canning, 313-580-2845, jcanning@sandi.net to arrange. Thanks, James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLAIREMONT HIGH SCHOOL'S NEW MASCOT NAME WILL BE "CAPTAINS," IF APPROVED BY SAN DIEGO UNIFIED BOARD OF EDUCATION ON FEB. 24.
Name Change Process Involved: 10-Person Naming Committee, 6 Town Halls, Open Call for Mascot Names & Community Survey

SAN DIEGO (February 20, 2026) – Captains will become the new mascot name for San Diego Unified School District's Clairemont High School starting in 2026-27 school year, if the district's Board of Education on Tues., Feb. 24 approves the recommendation after a nearly year-long community engagement process.

"Captains was chosen largely for its inclusive application and being a title students can strive to attain," said Clairemont High School Principal Karly Johnstone, in a letter submitted to the Board Trustees. "Though Captains is a human reference, we are looking for our mascot to be a gender-neutral animal or symbol which will represent the inclusive culture of Clairemont High School and we look forward to working this into our school culture.

San Diego Unified and Clairemont High School started the journey to change the name from Chieftains in April of last year when the Board of Education revised its Administrative Regulation and Board Policy 7310 to provide clearer direction on changes to school names and mascots. This came after the 2024 passage of Assembly Bill 3074 (AB3074), which prohibits "using any derogatory Native American term."

The district has had dustups over the years involving district school name changes, and leaders were determined to ensure this time would be different. There was a very active community engagement effort surrounding this name change. This included:

10-person Naming Committee: Area A Board Representative, Area A Superintendent, site Principal, site Athletic Director (approved by site SGT), teacher (chosen by site staff), two community members (self-nominated and selected via random draw), and two students (selected by the student body).
Open Call for Mascot Suggestions: Students, staff, and the community-at-large were invited to submit mascot suggestions, and each was discussed during town halls to determine if it would be moved to the next round. Discussion included whether the suggestion adhered to the agreed upon Naming Values as well as input from those in attendance.
Six Town Hall Meetings: Public was invited to attend, and which were also live-streamed.
Community Survey: The "final four" mascot names were included in a survey in which students, staff, and the community were able to rate the four finalists. More than 500 individuals responded.
Information Posted Regularly: All information was updated on the webpage: Clairemont HS Mascot Rebranding.

"Change is difficult, and the way our Clairemont High School students, staff and community navigated this name change was outstanding. The process was comprehensive and inclusive," said Sabrina Bazzo, Vice President of San Diego Unified School District Board of Education and school community's elected representative. "Congratulations are in order for Principal Johnstone, our students and the entire school community for working together. It wasn't always easy, but all voices were heard, and we reached a consensus that the Clairemont Captains is a mascot everyone can be proud of and root for!"

Next Steps: Mascot Name Change Process

If approved by the Board of Education, the new mascot name will go into effect for the 2026-27 school year. Operations staff from the school district, along with the school's principal have already begun to identify the changes that will be required to school facilities, design a new logo, athletic uniforms, etc. The school, based on the state law has up-to three-years to make the changes, but the school community is working as expediently as possible to make the change, but it's not likely every iteration of Chieftain will change by the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Explanation of Board Policy 7310

Under the new Administrative Regulation and Board Policy 7310, prior to initiating a new school name or mascot, a school site and/or its members of the school community should consider the following:

If a school name or mascot reflects historical harm or exclusion, the school's name or mascot should be reevaluated by the school site and/or members of the school community.
The criteria for a school name or mascot change should include guiding principles rooted in equity, belonging, and community empowerment.
A school name or school mascot change should reflect cultural, historical, or community significance that can inspire generations for centuries to come that shall include the following criteria as guiding principles:

Individuals and entities that have made outstanding contributions, including financial contributions, to the school community.
Individuals who have made contributions of statewide, national, or worldwide significance.
The geographic area in which the school or building is located.

Any proposed school name or mascot change must also include an evaluation of costs for signage, uniforms, and other associated charges.

Clairemont High School was the first school in the district to implement a mascot name change under the new state and district policy.

Clairemont High School also had the support of local tribal leaders (see their letter) and the broader school community to change the name.

To learn more about the name change of Clairemont High School mascot, click here, and to learn more about the San Diego Unified School District, click here.

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