The Woodrow Wilson School in Weehawken, New Jersey, is being rebuilt and is set to reopen in September 2026. According to Mayor Richard F. Turner, construction is on schedule, and students will return to the building for the 2026–2027 school year.
The school, located on Hauxhurst Avenue, was shut down decades ago because it did not meet federal accessibility laws. When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law, the school was closed due to the lack of an elevator and accessible restrooms.
On May 31, 2023, Weehawken voters approved a referendum to fund the reconstruction of several schools, including the Woodrow Wilson School. The project was officially awarded on June 19, 2024. Since then, work has continued without delay. In March, Mayor Turner shared updates with residents and thanked the communities of Hauxhurst, Sterling, and Denning for their support and patience.
- The renovated Woodrow Wilson School in Weehawken is scheduled to open by September 2026, bringing much-needed space back to the school district.
- Originally closed due to ADA noncompliance, the school is now undergoing extensive upgrades, including restrooms and an elevator to meet federal standards.
- While construction progresses, there’s a rising community debate over renaming the school due to President Woodrow Wilson’s deeply racist policies and legacy.
Overcrowding in Other Schools Shows the Need for Wilson
The reopening of the Woodrow Wilson School will help solve serious space problems in Weehawken’s school district. The township’s two elementary schools—Webster School and Theodore Roosevelt School—have become overcrowded. As a result, art and music rooms have been turned into regular classrooms to make space for more students.
Also, without Wilson School, sixth graders were sent directly from Roosevelt School to Weehawken High School, which has raised concerns among parents and teachers since 12-year-olds are now placed in a high school environment before they are ready. Reopening the Wilson building will restore a more normal grade structure and offer space better suited to middle school students.
The new school will include an elevator and updated restrooms to meet ADA standards. These upgrades are necessary for reopening and will ensure the building is accessible to all students.
Debate Over School Name Gains Attention
Although construction is going as planned, many people in Weehawken are now asking whether the school should still be named after Woodrow Wilson. Wilson served as the 28th president of the United States and led the country during World War I. He helped create the League of Nations and is often praised for his foreign policy.
However, Wilson also supported racist policies. During his presidency, he introduced segregation into federal offices and removed Black employees from government jobs based on race. Historian Eric Yellin stated that Wilson’s actions ended professional opportunities for many Black Americans for generations. Even those with high scores on civil service exams were denied jobs.
In addition, Wilson allowed the film The Birth of a Nation to be screened in the White House. The film praised the Ku Klux Klan and portrayed racist stereotypes. Wilson’s decision to support the screening drew heavy criticism and is seen as a sign of his views.
Before becoming president, Wilson was president of Princeton University, where he worked against the admission of Black students. He also supported the “Lost Cause” version of Civil War history, which defended slavery and portrayed the Confederacy as noble.
Because of these actions, many schools and buildings across the country have removed Wilson’s name. In 2020, Princeton University renamed its public policy school, citing Wilson’s racism. That same year, Monmouth University renamed Wilson Hall. In 2021, a high school in Tacoma, Washington, became Dr. Dolores Silas High School. In 2022, schools in Camden and Washington, D.C., also dropped Wilson’s name.
Some Weehawken residents are suggesting new names for the school. One option is Alexander Hamilton, who died in a duel on the Weehawken waterfront. Another is William Peter, a local immigrant who opened the town’s first brewery and gave the town the building that now serves as the public library.
School Will Open in 2026, But Name May Change
As of now, the Woodrow Wilson School is scheduled to reopen in September 2026. The construction is moving ahead on time, and the building will include features required by federal law.
At the same time, a growing number of residents are calling for a change to the school’s name. With more than a year before the school opens, there is still time for the community to decide whether to keep the name or choose one that better reflects the town’s values.
