[6] With construction completed in April 1940, Chicago Vocational School opened with an all–male class of 850 in 1941.

[6][11][12] This change from general vocational education to specific wartime training had been something anticipated as a possible future of the school shortly before it had opened.

[6][13] By 1942, classes were being taught 24 hours a day to accommodate work and training schedules.

[14][19] CVS started offering night courses to help returning veterans who held a day job.

[24] When the school first opened, it was not a diploma granting institution, with students earning certificates for industry.

Chicago Vocational competes in interscholastic sports as a member of the Chicago Public League (CPL), and competes in state championship series sponsored by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

The school sponsors interscholastic athletic teams for men and women in basketball and volleyball.

[28][29] The boys' baseball team were public league champions four times (1952–53, 1975–76, 1979–80 and 1986–87) and Class AA twice (1979–80 and 1986–87).

In 1990–91, the boys' track and field team were public league champions and Class AA.