Named after Founding Father John Marshall, who also served as the fourth chief justice of the United States, the school originally opened in 1909, serving an all-white student body.

[6][7] Following the 1959-60 school year, the original building was closed, with the new facility welcoming students in the fall of 1960.

Today, the John Marshall Courthouse complex is located at the site of the old school.

[10] As of the 2022-23 school year, John Marshall's student body is 84.3% Black, with 88.7% minority enrollment.

[2] As of the 2022-23 school year, 32% of John Marshall students had taken at least one AP test, and the graduation rate was 94%.