New Elementary School In Herndon Gets Its Name

HERNDON, VA — The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously last week on what to name the new school being constructed on the campus of McNair Elementary in Herndon. The new school, which has temporarily been called Northwest County Elementary School, will be called McNair Upper Elementary School.

"It's exciting to have new school opening to serve the community," said School Board Member Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill), during the Board's April 23 meeting. "The school is planned to open this August in time for the school year. So, us approving this name now will allow further work to continue to prepare the school, including working up design and construction and even inventorying the new library material."

The new school will serve students in grades 3-6, while the existing McNair Elementary will serve preK-2 students.

The School Board kicked off the naming process on Jan. 29, opening a one-month period for the community to suggest names. Although a Feb. 19 public hearing took place, no stakeholders signed up to comment on naming the new school. A second public hearing scheduled for March 13 did not take place due to FCPS being closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of the public were still able to make suggestions electronically. Proposed names included: Woodland Park, North West, McNair West, Diamond Run, Diamond Hill, Fox Mill, and Park Run. Six individuals suggested McNair Upper, which is the name the Board ultimately approved.