As a symbol of its new identity as an independent school, Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco announced this week that it will be changing its name to the Brandeis School of San Francisco in time for the 2015-16 school year.

Last year, the San Francisco and Marin campuses of BHDS decided to split into two independent schools. The separation will be complete before school starts next fall.

“Fifty years ago, our school began life as the Brandeis School,” said Debbie Findling, a longtime board member, referring to the school’s founding in San Francisco in 1963 (the San Rafael campus opened in 1978). “We believe our ‘new’ name, the Brandeis School of San Francisco, is a fitting way to look toward the future while still recalling our rich past.”

The new name will take effect on July 1, the same day that a new head of school starts work at the independent San Francisco campus. Dan Glass, 34, is a Bay Area native who currently is the director of middle school at Wildwood School in Los Angeles.

The board of trustees also announced that the Brandeis School will have a revised mission statement: “The Brandeis School of San Francisco inspires students to lead lives of learning and purpose. We provide a challenging academic environment and a welcoming, inclusive community, each deeply enriched by Jewish thought, values and traditions.”