It was replaced by A. Maceo Smith New Tech High School in 2011, and in 2018 Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy began to occupy the campus.

The school was named for Antonio Maceo Smith (1903–1977), a pioneer civil rights leader in Dallas.

[12] The school made the news around the world in 2002 when alligators, poisonous snakes, bobcats, coyotes, and other dangerous animals took over the practice football field after beavers dammed a nearby waterway during the summer.

[13][14] On May 25, 2007, the Dallas school board voted 6–0 to uphold the firing of Smith principal Dwain Govan over spending on his DISD credit card, in an investigation that indicated 93 district employees had made questionable purchases or in other ways had abused the program.

A Texas Education Agency hearing examiner recommended upholding the proposal for Govan's termination, but noted that there had been no accusation or evidence that he took district property for his personal use.