Historic roots inspire name of Auburn’s new high school

AUBURN, Ala. (WTVM) - The Auburn City School Board has officially named the new school Plains High School, reflecting Auburn’s nickname, “The Loveliest Village on the Plains.”

“A second high school has been in our plans since 2018, so we are very excited that it is coming to fruition with a name, and we look forward to opening the school in August 2028,” said Daniel Chesser, Auburn City Schools’ public relations specialist.

While the Auburn community has been aware of the upcoming second high school, there has been much anticipation regarding its name, colors, and mascot. On Tuesday evening, the school board officially approved the name Plains High School.

“After going through names, we settled on Plains High School. We thought Plains High School and Auburn High School were a good pair...the names sound good together...two 9 through 12 schools,” said Wes Gordon, the system’s assistant superintendent.

Auburn City Schools has released its $366.8 million master plan, which includes the construction of the second high school, a new middle school, and the demolition and rebuilding of two elementary schools by 2035.

Gordon explained that the name Plains High School reflects Auburn’s historical identity.

“Plains is a descriptor of Auburn, Alabama. There was a poem written in 1770 by the Irish poet Oliver Goldsmith, the first line of which reads...Auburn - The loveliest village on the plains,” he said.

Chesser assured that each school would be fully funded without the need for new taxes.

“There is no new tax needed to build these schools that we have in our facilities plan,” he shared. “We’re very confident in the funding model that we have in place to fund these schools and open these schools.”

As for the colors and mascot of Plains High School, those details are still to be determined. A committee has been formed and will meet at the beginning of April to decide.