[3] The magnesium refinery was the primary employer and played a pivotal role in the early development of what would become Henderson, referred to as the "Basic townsite" until 1944.

The school, then located where the Henderson City Hall now stands, graduated its first class of ten students in 1943.

A large white "B" is painted on a local mountain during the week of Homecoming, which stands for "Basic"; it is visible throughout the entire city of Henderson year-long.

Basic's El Lobo yearbook is set to high standards and has won national praise for many years.

It has been published longer than the prominent Las Vegas Sun newspaper, owned by Greenspun Media and founded in 1950.

Basic's MCJROTC Unarmed and Armed Drill Teams competed in the 2012 National Championships held in Torrance, California.

Basic Academy also offers courses in performing arts such as band, orchestra, choir, and theatre.

In 1959 Paul Hornyak, senior point guard, was the first High School All-American in basketball for the state of Nevada.

The affiliate team the Southern Nevada Blue Sox won the American Legion World Series in 2017.