[2] The school in its initial campus was named for Antonio Maceo Smith (1903–1977), a pioneer civil rights leader in Dallas.

[3] A part of the New Tech School Network, the conversion was funded by a $2 million bond.

In 2018 A. Maceo Smith New Tech High School's name changed to New Tech High School at B.F. Darrell as the school swapped buildings with Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, with the latter now at A. Maceo Smith, so New Tech now occupies the former B. F. Darrell Elementary Building.

[6] New Tech High School at B.F. Darrell started making significant academic gains under new leadership and with a completely new staff.

In early 2015, drama teacher Scot Pankey, with a cast of students, made national and international headlines by performing a choreographed dance to the song "Uptown Funk" performed by Bruno Mars.