[3][4][5] The forerunner of McKinley Senior High, was named the Hickory Street School, which was located several blocks east of the present site, in 1907–1908.

The Baton Rouge Colored High School was located at the corner of Perkins Road and Bynum Street in 1913.

The original McKinley High School building was constructed in 1926 and opened in 1927, and was named in honor of the 25th President of the United States.

[citation needed] McKinley serves sections of Baton Rouge and half of the Gardere census-designated place.

[7][8] McKinley offers 23 Advanced Placement courses, and is one of Baton Rouge's two high schools with a Gifted and Talented program.

[9] The students ranked 18th of all schools in Louisiana for the statewide average ACT score and 3rd in the state when comparing their Gifted and Talented program.