The Fuller School Falcon mascot gets a hug from a student on the soccer team, during a visit by Wellpoint, who presented sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students on the soccer team with new uniforms and gear at the school, April 30, 2025.a
San Diego, California – The San Diego Unified School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban the use of Native American terms as school mascots, a move that will affect several local schools and align the district with new statewide legislation.
The decision follows the passage of Assembly Bill 3074, also known as the California Racial Mascots Act, which was signed into law in 2024. The law prohibits public schools from using mascots that include names considered derogatory to Native American communities, such as “Braves,” “Chiefs,” “Chieftains,” and “Indians.”
Among the San Diego schools impacted is Clairemont High School, currently known as the Chieftains. The school will now be required to retire the mascot and undergo a rebranding process.
“There’s a lot of nostalgia around mascot names, and I understand that,” said School Board Trustee Sabrina Bazzo during the meeting. “But culture does change as well, and we want to make sure that our students feel represented and feel comfortable walking onto our campuses.”
The law, which affects more than 100 schools statewide, requires all changes to be implemented by the 2026–27 school year. In San Diego County, six schools will be impacted, including El Cajon Valley High (Braves), Montgomery High (Aztecs), MAAC Community Charter (Eagle Warriors), Potter Junior High (Braves), Fallbrook Union High (Warriors), and Clairemont High (Chieftains).
“If [Native American students] are not comfortable with the name Chieftain, and it’s viewed as an anti or derogatory name to our Native American culture — not just for our students that are Native American, but for all students — then it’s time for a change,” Bazzo added.
At Clairemont High, the rebranding effort will begin in August with the formation of a 10-person naming committee and the launch of a dedicated website. From September to December, the school will host listening sessions and distribute surveys to engage students, parents, alumni, and local tribal leaders in the mascot selection process. A final decision will be made by the Board of Education, with a vote expected in January 2026.
The change will require updates to school signage, athletic uniforms, and the removal of all existing Chieftain imagery from campus. Bazzo confirmed the district will fully fund the transition costs to ease the burden on affected schools.
“This is about building inclusive school communities,” Basso said. “It’s about respect — and this is the right step forward.”
