HISD renames Wilson Montessori after civil rights organizer Baker
Houston ISD trustees unanimously voted Thursday to change the name of Woodrow Wilson Montessori School, citing the former president’s racist actions and beliefs.
The 600-student, Montrosearea campus will be renamed effective Friday after Ella J. Baker, a leading organizer during the civil rights movement.
A committee of Wilson Montessori staff and family members supported the name change after learning that Princeton University, where Wilson served as president, removed his name from its School of Public and International Affairs, as well as one of its residential colleges.
Wilson opposed admitting Black students to Princeton while he led the university in the early 1900s. As the nation’s 28th president, Wilson backed the racial segregation of federal agencies.
The name change comes as entities across the country consider whether to continue honoring historical figures whose views and actions, while perhaps common during their era, no longer are considered acceptable. Supporters of the movement often argue that the changes heal deep cultural wounds, while opponents frequently counter that such efforts unnecessarily paper over American history.
HISD officials estimated the Wilson Montessori name change will cost no more than $100,000.
Trustees also voted 6-2 Thursday to approve a three-year contract with Teach For America, a national organization that helps train and place top college graduates who want to work in highneeds schools but lack a teaching background.
The board voted in 2019 to halt the district’s relationship with Teach For America, but trustees reversed that decision in 2020 after new members were elected.
Teach For America boosters say many of the graduates, known as corps members, help fill hard-to-staff positions and later make significant contributions to their communities. Critics of the organization argue too many corps members leave the profession soon after joining and are not worth the added cost, which totals about $4,000 over two years.