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When Woodward High School first opened in 1966, its mascot was the Wildcats, with school colors of purple and white. After Woodward closed in 1987, its students merged into Walter Johnson High School, which adopted the Wildcats mascot, while keeping its own green and white colors. |
When Woodward High School first opened in 1966, its mascot was the Wildcats, with school colors of purple and white. Woodward operated under that identity for 21 years, until declining enrollment led to its closure in 1987, when its students merged into Walter Johnson High School. As part of that merger, Walter Johnson adopted the Wildcats mascot while keeping its own green and white colors, and for the past forty years, Walter Johnson has carried the Wildcat forward as its own, building its school identity and traditions around it. Since the Wildcat name is now closely tied to Walter Johnson, our new Woodward will be looking for a mascot of its own, and our community can choose to bring back the original purple and white or select new colors that reflect where Woodward is headed.
Board of Education & MCPS Guidance
| Source | What It Says |
|---|---|
| MCPS Regulation FFA-RA | "Mascots, logos, and related representations should be inclusive, nondiscriminatory, and bias-free." The Chief of the Division of School Leadership and Improvement gives final approval to a school's mascot, after the school gathers and carefully considers community input. |
| Policy ACA: Nondiscrimination, Equity & Cultural Proficiency | "Every school representation should provide a welcoming climate for all." This is the standard every mascot and color option is measured against, not just at final approval, but throughout brainstorming and community input. |
Where Woodward Fits
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Across MCPS high schools and our own Woodward cluster's elementary and middle schools, mascots and colors vary widely, but a handful of colors (navy/gold, blue/white, and green/gold combinations) show up often nearby. As our community considers options, part of the goal is choosing a mascot and color combination that gives Woodward its own clear, distinct identity.
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View the full MCPS & Woodward cluster mascots & colors reference
Process & Timeline
Woodward's mascot and colors will be selected through a structured process that centers community input at every stage, guided by MCPS Regulation FFA-RA and Policy ACA:
| Step | Date | What's Happening |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8/17 | Planning Team Meeting |
| 2 | 8/21 – 9/13 | Suggestion Survey Opens |
| 3 | 8/31 | Community Input Meeting, 6:30 PM Woodward Cafeteria |
| 4 | 9/16 | Planning Team Meeting 2 |
| 5 | 9/21 – 10/2 | Online Community Final Vote Survey |
| 6 | 10/5 | Planning Team Meeting 3 |
| 7 | By 10/9 | Submission for Chief's Approval |
| 8 | TBD | Announcement of New Colors and Mascot |
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The online survey will cover the same information as the in-person community meeting. Community members can view the resources and submit their suggestions online, or attend the community meeting to see the same resources and submit their suggestions in person. |
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Throughout this process, our planning team and community will keep two things at the center: building a mascot and color identity that fosters a strong sense of community and belonging, and making sure every option reflects MCPS's standards for inclusive, welcoming school representation. |
Ways to Get Involved
| Community Suggestion Survey Visit this survey to learn more about the school color and mascot selection process and share your suggestions and reasoning for school colors and a school mascot. This survey covers the same information as the town hall meeting below. You do not need to attend the town hall if you complete the survey. Take the Survey Open for submission 8/21/26 – 9/13/26 |
| Town Hall Meeting Community members who would like to share their suggestions in person are invited to a town hall meeting on 8/31/26 starting at 6:30 PM in the Woodward HS Cafeteria, where you'll learn more about the school color and mascot process and be able to provide your input in person. This meeting covers the same information as the survey above. You do not need to attend if you've already completed the survey. Meeting Slide Deck School Colors & Mascots Listing |
| School Colors & Mascot Community Vote Visit this survey to learn about the school color and mascot finalist proposals and cast your vote for the new Woodward school colors and mascot. Cast Your Vote (Coming Soon) Open for submission 9/21/26 – 10/2/26 |