Founded in 1830, it is notable for being the first chartered high school west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Elyria High School athletic teams are known as the Pioneers and compete in the Southwestern Conference.

The oldest section, the Washington Building, built in 1894, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

With the passage of Issue 23 in November 2016, a new $14 million dollar athletic complex will be built on the current location of Ely Stadium, including soccer, baseball, softball, and various other athletic fields, as a new elementary school will be built at the location of the current Pioneer Fields.

The project cost nearly $70 million and spans two city blocks and is 300,000 square feet (28,000 m2).