In 2015, the school was rated "Met Standard" by the Texas Education Agency.

[3] Palo Duro High School or maybe known by its nickname "the Pride of the Northside".

Palo Duro is one of the most ethnically diverse in the city, with students ranging from Hispanic to Asian, and African students.

The Palo Duro Dons compete in these sports -[4] Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, Wrestling, Basketball, Swimming, Soccer, Golf, Bowling, Tennis, Track, Softball & Baseball On September 11, 1992, then 17-year-old Randy Earl Matthews who transferred to the school from Memphis High School in Memphis, Texas at the start of the school year, shot and wounded 6 students with a .22-caliber pistol inside a hallway after a morning pep rally for a football game against Hereford High School.

Amarillo Police quickly caught him and another student who attempted to flee the scene.