Lainie Wion | Contributed photo

Choosing between final contenders Mercerwood, Mercer Crest, and Northwood, the Mercer Island School Board has named Elementary School No. 4.

The winner goes to Northwood – originally chosen as a finalist as it “reflects the northern location of the school and the wooded nature of the island and outdoor learning space at the school.”

The name was suggested by Lainie Wion, a fifth grader at Lakeridge Elementary.

“I feel excited to be part of Mercer Island history now,” said Wion. “I chose the name because it will draw kids from the north end of the Island, is near the Mercerwood neighborhood, and hasn’t been used for a Mercer Island school ever before.”

The school naming committee received over 160 unique name suggestions, which they presented to the school board (minus some suggestions that were eliminated since “they were crude and/or inappropriate”). Among the most creative suggestions included Bumbershoot, Epic, and Hawks Nest.

Northwood is scheduled to open for the 2016-17 school year. Learn more about the school district’s process for naming the school here.