Claremont High School Drops Nearly 70-Year-Old Mascot

A San Diego high school is retiring its longtime mascot as part of California’s new legislation banning Native American-themed team names.

The San Diego Unified School District’s Claremont High School decided to change its nickname from “Chieftains” to “Captains” during a vote held recently. This decision is in response to a law set to take effect on July 1, 2024, that prohibits public schools from using names that include terms like “chief” or “chieftain.”

The change will officially roll out in the 2026-27 school year, followed by a comprehensive rebranding that may last up to three years.

While the nickname change will begin this fall, the transition will take time as the school phases out “Chieftains” from uniforms, signs, athletic facilities, and other materials.

Interestingly, replacing existing gear is an ongoing process to manage expenses, which means remnants of the previous identity will likely persist during the shift.

This decision follows nearly a year of review, initiated last April, to align with the state’s broader ban on certain mascots.

A committee consisting of students, staff, community members, and district representatives conducted six town halls to gather name suggestions and received over 500 responses through a community survey.

The push for change in California started back in 2015, when Assembly Bill 30 was signed into law, which initially banned the term “Redskins” in public schools. California now stands as the first state to outlaw such nicknames in K-12 schools. The 2024 Assembly Bill 3074 significantly broadened this ban to include terms like “Apache,” “Braves,” and others, coming into effect in 2026.

Schools can only retain banned names if they obtain written permission from local tribes, and tribal-run schools are exempt from this law.

Institutions that fail to comply may face penalties under the state’s Uniform Complaint Procedures.

This legislation has already led to notable changes across Southern California. For instance, Fullerton Union High School will change its name from “Indians” to “Red Hawks” for the 2026-27 school year. In Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma High School replaced “Braves” with “Lions” following community feedback.

In Santa Clarita, William S. Hart High School transitioned from “Indians” to “Hawks,” beating the deadline set by the new law. Similarly, Santa Fe High School, previously known as the “Chiefs,” is in the process of selecting a new nickname in response to state requirements, though they haven’t finalized a new name yet.