Early Childhood Center

Three ACPS naming ceremonies scheduled for September and October

Published August 20, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Parker-Gray Stadium Field at Alexandria City High School King Street Campus (via ACPS)

Three Alexandria City Public Schools facilities that the School Board voted to rename will be dedicated in the next two months.

The Alexandria City School Board voted in December 2025 to name Keith Burns Field at Alexandria City High School’s Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium after a 1990 T.C. Williams High School graduate who had an NFL career. The athletic field complex at the high school’s Minnie Howard Campus will be named after the late Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley, and a media center at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School will be named after Jean Reid, who taught at various ACPS schools.

ACPS Early Childhood Center courtyard dedicated as ‘Owen’s Place’ in tribute to principal’s late son

By Emily Leayman

Published June 3, 2026 at 2:45PM

The new "Owen's Place" dedication at the Early Childhood Center on June 2, 2026 (via ACPS)

A courtyard at Alexandria City Public Schools’ Early Childhood Center is now named in honor of the principal’s late son.

ACPS held a naming ceremony Tuesday (June 2) for the courtyard at the Early Childhood Center (5651 Rayburn Avenue). The name “Owen’s Place” references Owen Michael Wagner, the late teenage son of the center’s first principal, Heidi Haggerty-Wagner.

New names for ACPS sports facilities, library and courtyard receive final approval

By James Cullum

Published December 19, 2025 at 11:30AM

The home crowd at an ACHS Titans varsity football game, Sept. 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Four facilities at Alexandria City Public Schools are getting new names to reflect beloved figures in the city, including a former mayor and a longtime teacher.

The Alexandria City School Board voted last night (Thursday) to rename the athletic field complex at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus, ACHS’ Parker-Gray Stadium field, the Media Center at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School and the courtyard at the Early Childhood Center. These are the newly approved facility names and their community namesakes.