Located on four acres, North opened as an eighth through twelfth grade school in September 1924, and had 650 students its first year.

During World War II, 1,711 North graduates served in the United States military; 77 did not make it home.

The Omaha Public Schools initiated a desegregation plan in 1976, and in the 1980s, the temporary elimination of 9th grade at North led to decreased enrollment.

Several nearby properties were bought and several additions expanded North's campus to its present twelve acres.

It consists of science, media technology, and engineering classrooms and lab space, as well as a wrestling practice room in the basement.

To this end, North sometimes shares nearby Omaha Northwest High School's Kinnick Stadium, especially for "home" football games.

In 2014, Principal Gene R. Haynes announced future plans to privately finance a 5,000–6,000-seat stadium to be built in the neighborhood around North High, with an expected cost of $8–$12 million.

According to U.S. News and World Report, as of 2015-16, 65% of students at the school were qualified as economically disadvantaged, and the on-time (four-year) graduation rate was 79%.

North offers higher-level mathematics courses in Omaha Public Schools and is articulating for accreditation in career and technology education.

[9] The Omaha North High School Vikings football team has enjoyed success, both in the past as well as recently.