'Like living inside a Confederate statue': Wheeler High students on why they want to rename school

wheeler high school
Cobb County's Wheeler High School was named after Confederate General Joseph Wheeler in 1965, the same year the school district integrated. (WABE)

Joseph Wheeler Name Change

Students at Wheeler High School in Cobb County have been pushing for the school to be renamed since the summer of 2020. Named after Confederate General Joseph Wheeler, the high school is now one of the most racially diverse schools in the state.

The school board formed a committee in the summer of 2020 to consider the name change, but reversed course a few months later. Students have spoken at every school board meeting since then, pressing board members to take action.

WABE spoke with students in the Wheeler Name Change group and other students who support the effort.