It opened in 1965 as a part of the Pulaski County district; it replaced Mabelvale High School.

[4] The assumed course of study for McClellan students meets or exceeds the Smart Core curriculum developed by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) to complete 22 units prior to graduation.

The McClellan Crimson Lions participated in baseball, basketball (boys/girls), football, soccer (boys), softball, tennis (boys/girls), golf, track and field (boys/girls), and volleyball.

McClellan was also home to the Arkansas winner of the Wendy's High School Heisman Award, Tiffany Gunn.

McClellan students can participate in 36 clubs and organizations as well as in band, choir, football, basketball, soccer, bowling, tennis, softball, cheerleading, flag line, and track.