It was designed by Edward Stotz as a triangle with rounded corners[4] and constructed of Indiana limestone, the best of its kind.

The school published "The Triangle," a monthly student newspaper founded in 1919 and named for the building's original shape.

The program would be deemed successful enough to warrant a visit from then United States Secretary of Education William Bennet.

This led to public opposition by students and historical organizations that felt the building was worth saving.

The staff and students were moved to the Reizenstein Middle School building, which had been closed a few years earlier.

For future classes, Schenley was renamed to Obama Academy, and the Reizenstein building became a shared space for the two Schools from 2009–2011.

[3] The summer of 2014 saw the Schenley High School building play a starring role in the film Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.