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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Osseo Area Schools Asks Community to Help Name New Brooklyn Park School
Residents can propose a name and logo for the new community school being built on the former Crest View Elementary site, with a School Board vote expected October 20
BROOKLYN PARK, MN (September 7, 2026). Osseo Area Schools is asking students, families and community members to help name a new community school now under construction in Brooklyn Park, giving residents a direct role in shaping the identity of a facility scheduled to open in fall 2027.
The new building is being constructed on the former Crest View Elementary School site and will bring together early childhood education, culturally focused programming, family and community services and an American Indian Cultural Center.
The district opened a public submission process August 31 for proposed names and logo ideas.
District officials say the eventual name should reflect the community's vision and values. Many existing Osseo Area Schools buildings are named for geographic elements or nearby features, and the district noted the significance of the new facility occupying the former Crest View site.
Names of people will not be considered, in accordance with School Board policy.
Residents can also propose ideas for the school's logo, including sketches. The district is encouraging families to involve students in developing those ideas.
MORE THAN A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING
The facility is designed to serve people of different ages rather than function solely as a traditional elementary school.
Plans include early childhood programming; an intercultural and heritage-focused preschool; an American Indian Cultural Center with Dakota and Ojibwe language-learning opportunities; family and community engagement programs; professional development; academic support; tutoring and credit recovery; and space for community partnerships.
The project grew out of the district's voter-approved Building a Better Future plan.
Crest View was initially expected to be repurposed for the new programming. After further examination of the aging building's structural systems, however, the district determined that extensive renovations would be required and shifted to constructing a new facility instead.
The district broke ground on the new building in April. It is tentatively scheduled to open in fall 2027.
HOW THE NAME WILL BE CHOSEN
The public suggestions will not go directly to a School Board vote.
A representative group of community members and district staff will first review the submissions and recommend one or more preferred names to Superintendent Dr. Kim Hiel.
The district is also inviting residents interested in participating in that review group to contact it. Tentative committee meetings are scheduled for 4 p.m. September 17 and September 24.
Hiel will then make a final recommendation to the Osseo Area School Board, which is expected to vote on the name at its October 20 meeting.
WHAT RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW
Residents, families and students can submit proposed names and logo ideas through the district's public naming process.
Proposed names cannot be the names of people.
People interested in serving on the naming review group or submitting a sketched logo concept can contact Osseo Area Schools at BetterFuture@district279.org.
Questions about the project can also be directed to the district at 763-391-8900.
Submit a name idea to Osseo Area Schools
Osseo Area Schools Building a Better Future project information
The naming process gives Brooklyn Park residents an opportunity to help define the public identity of a building intended to serve the community well beyond the traditional school day.
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