[2] Rayen closed permanently in June 2007, to make way for the opening of a consolidated East High School.

[3] In a February 2009 meeting, school board president Anthony Catale stated, "The Rayen building isn't going anywhere".

[2] Provisions for the school were made through a legacy of Colonel William Rayen, a judge and former military officer who fought in the War of 1812.

[2] Rayen, who died in 1854, left a residual estate of $31,000, which he set aside for the establishment and maintenance of a secondary school.

[6] Although Rayen continued to maintain high academic standards, the school was adversely affected by trends that disrupted many other urban institutions.

Beginning in the post-World War II era, urban depopulation and the decline of Youngstown's manufacturing sector contributed to challenges such as falling enrollment and reduced funding.

For decades, it served as "home field" to Ursuline High School, located a few blocks south, and Youngstown State University.

Youngstown College coach Dwight "Dike" Beede created the flag to replace the alarms that were generally used at the time.