Announcing New School Names for Fall 2027

Following extensive collaboration across our district, the new names, mascots, and logos have been finalized for the new buildings being constructed for Hoover and Van Buren Elementary Schools, as well as the renovated Harrison Elementary School. Shaped directly by student, staff, family, and community feedback, these new identities honor our rich local history while setting an inspiring tone for the future. They will officially launch when the doors of these new facilities open in Fall 2027.

Hoover:

• Having recently completed a brand refresh with a new logo, the school community chose to preserve its established name and mascot, as it remains a point of great pride and honors Herbert Hoover, the only U.S. President born in Iowa. Therefore, the new building will continue to use the name Hoover Community School, and their mascot will remain the Little Hawks.
• New Name: Hoover Community School 
• New Mascot: The Little Hawks

Van Buren: 

• Current and former staff, students, families, and community members submitted 586 school name and mascot ideas this past spring for the new building that will replace the current Van Buren Elementary School. A district committee narrowed the submissions down to five options before opening a final vote to the community. We are excited to announce that the new building will be called Meadow Creek Elementary. The name reflects the neighborhood's natural geography—a creek runs nearby, and the expansive green schoolyard resembles a peaceful meadow. Plans for the new school grounds also include introducing native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Symbolically, the meadow represents abundance and peace, while the creek serves as a symbol of life, grace, and community connection. The mascot’s name, Martin, was chosen as a fun, creative nod to Martin Van Buren, preserving a piece of the school's history within its new identity. 

• New Name: Meadow Creek Elementary
• New Mascot: Martin the Moose

Harrison:

• Harrison Elementary is currently under renovation and receiving a major addition. As the Harrison and Madison school communities unite to move into the updated facility, a new name was chosen to mark this exciting fresh start. Through extensive input from students, staff, families, and community members, the renovated building will be named Belmont Park Elementary when it opens in fall 2027. The name celebrates both neighborhood heritage and local geography. "Belmont Park" honors Belmont Hill, a nearby landmark settled in 1882 by Philip Andrew Wolff—a local brickmaker and beekeeper who used clay from the hill to craft bricks for his family home. That structure, the historic Belmont Hill Mansion, still stands near the school today.
   
• New Name: Belmont Park Elementary
• New Mascot: Blossom the Bee