It moved into its current address on Elmwood in 1923, which formerly had housed the Buffalo Orphan's Asylum.

In 2010, the building began undergoing extensive renovations to add more classroom space and expand its vocational programs.

The ninth graders were housed at the former School 56 until renovations were completed on the McKinley building.

On February 9, 2022, a fight after school turned violent, resulting in 14-year-old Sirgio Jeter being stabbed 10 times in his colon, diaphragm and kidneys, and Brad Walker, a 27-year-old security guard attempting to break up the fight was shot in the leg.

[2][3][4] Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses McKinley offers Regents level courses as required by New York State.