Although its class sizes often were under ten, Barstow had two famous alumnae during its early days: movie star Jean Harlow and First Lady Bess Truman.

In 2018, Barstow purchased a former Hy-Vee building,[4] opening the Dan and Cassidy Towriss IDEA Space in 2022.

The athletic teams are known as the Barstow Knights, and the school colors are green, black and white.

Starting with the 2010-2011 school year, the head coach for the Knights basketball team is Billy Thomas.

Also in spring 2010, the varsity girls' soccer team advanced to the Class 1 State Tournament for the first time in school history.