The school is named in honor of the 4th Chief Justice of the United States (1755–1835), John Marshall.

John Marshall was the longest working Chief Justice in Supreme Court history.

In addition to portions of Oklahoma City, the school's attendance boundary includes Nichols Hills and The Village.

Originally opening in far North Oklahoma City 1950, it served as a high school for The Village, Britton, Quail Creek, The Greens, Val Verde and Nichols Hills.

Demolition of the 220,000-square-foot school began in January 2015 with Tanenbaum to build an upscale 270-unit apartment complex on the site.