Until the main facility at 7777 Forney Road opened early in 1971, instruction was held at other southeast Dallas sites.

From its inception, Skyline has fulfilled Stamps's original conception of offering both a regular high-school curriculum and a multitude of magnet school programs.

In the early years of Skyline's existence, administrators and faculty of existing, traditional high schools in the Dallas Independent School District frequently expressed resentment of Skyline's desire to recruit their talented and gifted students and in some instances actively resisted recruitment efforts.

[13] Over time, numerous clusters have left Skyline and moved into facilities of their own, becoming full-fledged DISD magnet high schools.

Since its opening Skyline has consistently been DISD's largest high school in terms of enrollment.

[27] In 2024, Skyline's Advanced Mathematics cluster,[28] and specifically the AP Statistics class,[29] were highlighted on NBC's "Brag About Your School".

Elementary schools that feed into Skyline include Frank Guzick, Edna Rowe, Adelfa Callejo, George W. Truett, and Urban Park.