Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy, 2000 Catharine Street, in Philadelphia, recently celebrated its official name change with an unveiling event. In June 2023, the Board of Education unanimously approved changing the school’s name from Chester A. Arthur to Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy.
The change was led by students who felt that the name of their school should reflect their school community and its values. When students from Chester A. Arthur Elementary School in South Philadelphia researched their school’s namesake, they learned that America’s 21st president had signed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which excluded Chinese laborers and prohibited the Chinese from becoming U.S. citizens. President Arthur’s actions didn’t represent the diverse student body, and the students felt their school should reflect diversity. They decided on Marian Anderson Academy school and inquired about changing the name.
The District’s process to change a school’s name consists of five phases: Submitting a name change request, reviewing the request, community engagement, superintendent review, and final approval by the Board of Education. It took 3 years for the school to be named after Philadelphia native and famed opera singer Marian Anderson, and on Friday, April 11, 2025, Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy celebrated its official name change with an unveiling event.
Anderson was known for living in the area and was a major force in the community. She performed a wide range of music, from opera to spirituals. Anderson performed with renowned orchestras in major concert and recital venues throughout the United States and Europe between 1925 and 1965.
Anderson was an important figure in the struggle for African American artists to overcome racial prejudice in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. In 1939, during the period of racial segregation, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused to allow Anderson to sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. She continued to break barriers throughout her life.
At the ceremony, Council President Kenyatta Johnson presented citations to those who helped lead the change. The celebration included performances from the school’s drumline and band and an opera performance by Tyree. Hats off to all at Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy!!!
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