Charles Lindbergh was one of the most famous aviators of the 20th century. Lindbergh High School (LHS) in Renton is named after him. Lately many wondered; why are we named after him and should it be changed?
Lindbergh was a pioneer in the field of aviation. He was the first man to fly across the Atlantic in 1927. As with all celebrities, he was controversial, such as claims about Hitler and antisemitism to speeches about race.
As early as 1936 Lindbergh had expressed interest in Germany and how the regime affected the country. By 1938 he was awarded a medal in aviation by Field Marshall Hermann Goering, Adolf Hitler’s second-in-command. In the United States, “many people were repulsed by the sight of an American hero wearing a Nazi decoration.” (American Experience)
In 1941, Lindbergh gave a speech in Des Moines, Iowa. He spoke about America staying out of WW2 and condemned the British, Jewish, and Roosevelt Administration. This interview was seen as anti-interventionist and antisemitist. “This is not a question of banding together to defend the white race against foreign invasion.” This quote is from Lindbergh’s 1939 speech for the New York Times, implying white supremacy.
In 2020, students in the Pro Justice Union (PJU) had advocated for the change of LHS name. In 2022, PJU submitted a letter to the Renton School District (RSD). Cort Leininger, a teacher advising PJU was asked what happened after the letter was sent, saying “And then that’s where everything paused.” As of 2025, there has been no change to the name.
LHS is a diverse school, minority percentages outweigh Caucasian students. With Lindbergh being the namesake of the school, some have questioned the relevance of his name. Leininger stated that “It doesn’t seem like the best match…as an understatement.” The image provided shows the demographics of LHS.
LHS Principal, Thomas Caudle was asked for his opinion on the school’s name. He thinks the school name is a product of its time, as Lindbergh was an iconic aviation figure in American culture. As principal, he cannot change the school’s name, but directs students to people who can. Caudle said change in the future is realistic because other schools across the country have.
Anaiyah Jackson, a sophomore at LHS, gave her opinion on the school’s name. She knows who Lindbergh was but couldn’t see why he’s LHS namesake. She knows Lindbergh’s controversies and doesn’t agree with the school being named after him. She hopes for change in the future, saying students should keep pressing until change happens.
LHS is in an aviation community, close to Boeing’s Renton Facility. This is why Lindbergh is LHS namesake, beyond that there is no connection. Some think there are more suitable names for the school. Kent McCleary, LHS’ ELL teacher states “Personally, I think we should [change the name]. Lindbergh is not a good representation of who we are.
When asked for an update in 2025, Randy Matheson, the executive director of community relations, said “The School Board considered the proposal provided in the letter sent in 2022. No action was taken.” In the end, change in the near future is debatable. It’s up to the students and how far they’re willing to go.
