For the 2007-2008 school year, Southside received the Siemen's Award for Advanced Placement exam scores.

The building was designed by Fort Smith architects Mott, Mobley, Horstman & Staton.

[5] The school flies three flags for "Excellence in Education" presented by previous presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton at ceremonies held in Washington, D.C. Fort Smith Southside offers AP courses in: The Southside High School mascot was originally the Rebels (de facto Johnny Reb, a personification of a Confederate soldier).

The mascot and the school's fight song "Dixie" were controversial, due to their being "perceived symbols of racism.

[8] On July 27, 2015, the Fort Smith School Board voted 7–0 to change the Rebel mascot and fight song.

[9] Southside principal Wayne Haver stated that a new fight song would be implemented immediately for use at all school-related events for the 2015–16 school year.

In 2008 and in 2009, Southside made surprising runs to the state championship game, but fell short to Bentonville in 2008 and to Springdale Har-Ber in 2009.