The school is named after James Cash "J. C." Penney.

[2][3] In 2016, the school was recognized for the third consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report as a bronze medal school.

[4] Penney High School is a member of the Kansas City Interscholastic Conference for athletics and music.

The girls track and field team won State championships for five years running, from 2007 through 2011, and was runner up in 2014 and 2015.

[5] The boys won the Class 1A Missouri state high school football championship in 2009, 2012 and 2016.