The United Daughters of the Confederacy wanted the school named for "a distinguished Southern leader", eventually settling on Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest.

[2][3][4] When the school's name officially became Nathan Bedford Forrest High School, Confederate symbolism and its athletics nickname, "Rebels," were adopted as well as featuring Confederate flags, "rebel yells" and the song "Dixie" at sporting events.

[5] In 1966 the board relocated Forrest to its present location on Firestone Road, converting the old building into J. E. B. Stuart Middle School.

[6] Critics pointed to controversial aspects of Forrest's biography to argue he was an inappropriate namesake for the school.

Most significantly they noted his background as a slave owner and trader; his possible role in the Fort Pillow Massacre, in which many black Union troops were killed; and especially the fact that he was an early leader in the Ku Klux Klan, being elected Grand Dragon in 1867.

[3] In the 21st century, the school was majority African-American, and many critics felt the name was a holdover of institutional racism.

The movement to change the name was aided by a petition started by local resident Omotayo Richmond that garnered thousands of signatures.

[21] Westside fields sports teams in football, baseball, swimming, basketball, volleyball, soccer and wrestling, among others.