On November 21, 1954, the Foster Elementary Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) held a meeting of approximately 400 concerned parents, teachers, and community leaders. They wanted a say in choosing the name of the new Junior High School built in their neighborhood. The PTA voted and chose the name: Ezekiel W. Cullen. The Association submitted its request to the H.I.S.D. board of trustees.

On November 22, 1954, during a regular board meeting, the H.I.S.D. superintendent, William Moreland, recommended that a new junior high school located near Scott and Yellowstone streets be named Ezekiel W. Cullen Middle Jr. High. Mr. Moreland said that the Foster PTA felt it was particularly fitting that a man who served the cause of public education so well over more than 100 years before being honored during the Centennial Year of Public School in Texas. Mr. Ezekiel W. Cullen served in the Texas House of Representatives and was the chairperson of the Education Committee to the third Congress of the Republic of Texas in 1839. He was also the author of the bill which established public schools in Texas.