Unanimous vote from PUSD Board Members. Insert: Thurgood Marshall Secondary School Principal Lori Touloumian (Photos – W.K., Felita Kealing)
Marshall Fundamental Secondary School will officially become Thurgood Marshall Secondary School, marking a historic name change that celebrates both the school’s centennial and its evolving identity. The Pasadena Unified Board of Education unanimously approved the name change at its April 17th board meeting.
By Scott Phelps
The decision comes as the school honors its centennial next month and reflects on these 100 years of education at the school under the theme: “Honoring Our Past, Embracing Our Future.” The new name honors the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, a towering figure in American history known for his fight for racial equality and social justice.
Why the Name Change?
The word “Fundamental” refers to traditional educational roots, with an emphasis on agriculture, homemaking, hygiene, and citizenship. However, school leaders and the community agree that today’s Marshall has grown beyond that framework.
Now offering Advanced Placement courses, the Academy for Creative Industries, the Puente program, and a variety of championship-level athletic teams, the school represents a diverse and modern educational experience. Its mission and core EAGLE values—Embrace Diversity, Act Responsibly, Graduate Prepared, Lead with Integrity, Engage in Leadership, and Succeed—resonate deeply with the legacy of Justice Marshall.
“We are excited to reintroduce Marshall to our community with our new school name, Thurgood Marshall Secondary School. Marshall’s mission and EAGLE values align with Thurgood Marshall’s legacy of racial equality and social change,” said Principal Lori Touloumian.
“Thurgood Marshall spent his life fighting for justice and helping our country live up to its promises. Changing our school’s name is more than just a name—it’s a reminder that education matters, that we can always work to be better, and that each of us has the power to make a difference,” added Marshall teacher Lewis Watson. Marshall 10th grader Melody Denniston said “Thurgood Marshall was a major factor in tearing down racial segregation in schools. Because of him, I am able to enjoy the diversity at Marshall.” Fellow sophomore Maria McDonald said “PUSD took so long to be desegregated that it had to be court-ordered to do so, so it is both fitting and an honor to rename the school after such an important figure in the civil rights movement.”
(L-R) Asst. Principal Audrey Green, PUSD Board Member Patrice Marshall McKenzie, Principal Lori Touloumian, Asst. Principal Marysia Narvaez, Asst. Principal Marcela Valadez, PUSD Board President Jennifer Hall Lee, PUSD Board Member Scott Harden (Photo – Felita Kealing)
Other Recent Pasadena Unified School Name Changes
Washington Middle School was officially renamed Octavia E. Butler Magnet in 2022. The renaming honors Octavia E. Butler, a renowned science fiction author who was a Pasadena public school student and graduated from Washington Junior High School.
In 2023 the name of Andrew Jackson Elementary was changed to Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary. This change was driven by a desire to honor Mary W. Jackson, the first Black female engineer at NASA, and address the legacy of Andrew Jackson, the school’s original namesake. The Pasadena Unified School District, along with students, staff, and community members, expressed dissatisfaction with the legacy of Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. President, and sought to rename the school after a figure who represented more positive values. Mary W. Jackson, a trailblazing NASA engineer, was chosen as the new namesake.
Wonderful news!
I was in the first class of the *voluntary* busing plan to what was then John Marshall Junior High School. I am very pleased and extremely proud to have my old alma mater renamed for the great Thurgood Marshall. May all who attend there reach great heights!
I went to John Marshall Junior High; graduated in 1967. I even remember the song. And, we were the Marshall TIGERS….
Lynn Spanovich, Marshall was a junior high school, from its opening in 1925 until the 1971 – 1972 school year, when it was closed briefly. For the 1973-1974 school year, it reopened as a secondary school (K-12) and renamed Marshall Fundamental.
A lot of people got John Marshall High School in Los Angeles confused with the one in Pasadena so this is actually a good change for a few reasons.