In 2015, the school achieved "Level 1 Status in Good Standing" under the district's performance policy rating.

The school was named after Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer who led the first expedition to reach the South Pole.

Designed by architect Paul Gerhardt, Roald Amundsen School opened on November 10, 1930, two years after the explorer died in a rescue mission to the North Pole.

Amundsen competes in the Chicago Public League (CPL) and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

43% of students were Hispanic or Latino, 36% were non-Hispanic white, 8% were black or African-American, 7% were Asian, 5% were multiracial, and <1% were Native American or Pacific Islander.