Minneapolis North once had a predominantly Jewish student body but by 1982, the school and the neighborhood it is located in had become mostly African American.

[2] Desegregation efforts, such as magnet school programs, have attempted to attract students from throughout Minneapolis and nearby suburbs.

[5] In 1963 it was determined that if the building was "to be retained as a secondary educational facility over a long period of time by the Minneapolis Public School system, it needs extensive rehabilitation and modernization to meet present day health, safety and educational adequacy.".

[6][7] The building was described as "resembling a giant bunker with few windows, double doors that are often locked from outside during the day to keep out unwanted visitors and painted-over graffiti on outside walls.

"[8] Another description calls it a "series of brick boxes arranged around a courtyard" that "doesn't allow it to connect well with the community".

It was decided that North Community High School would remain open, but change its curriculum standards to focus more on arts and communications.

North's framework is based on the Seven Guiding Principles of the Institute for Student Achievement (ISA):[22] The school has an Advanced Placement program that offers several different courses.

Approximately 150 students are involved in the radio station's operation, with the majority attending North.

[18] Students typically enroll in the program as ninth-graders and are prepared for on-air duties by their junior or senior year.

[26] The station broadcasts traffic reports for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area with data provided by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

[27] MnDOT had planned to cancel the contract, but due to public demand the state continued the relationship.

North's Math team competes in the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League.

Coached by Tony Queen, the team won eight of ten Minneapolis City Conference championships and went to the state tournament eight times, winning in 1980 and placing second in 1984 and 1985.

[34] In 1988 Queen was suspended from coaching for one year following attempts to recruit basketball players, which is illegal under Minnesota State High School League rules.

[41][42] The four-part Showtime docuseries "Boys in Blue" that debuted in 2023 followed the challenges faced by the North football team in the aftermath of protests over the murder of George Floyd.