In the mid-1960s, B. J. Stamps, Bragg Stockton, and other Dallas educators conceived the idea of a very large high school for the Dallas Independent School District that would offer career education in addition to a traditional high-school curriculum. Stamps emphasized continually that the facility he envisioned was "absolutely not going to be a vocational school for unsuccessful students" but rather a place where superior students could undertake studies in preparation for a variety of professions. In December 1966, architectural plans for the school, whose working name was "Science-Technical Center," were approved by the Dallas School Board. By 1969, Stamps, who had been slated as the school's first principal, suggested the name "Skyline High School," inspired by the view of the Downtown Dallasskyline afforded from the school's upper floors, and in February 1970 the Skyline name was approved by the school board.[9][10][11]
Classes at Skyline began in the fall semester of 1970. 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. The magnet offerings are organized as clusters, which are collectively called the Career Development Center. A student attending Skyline may generally choose between two options: pursuing a normal, traditional curriculum (Skyline's original attendance zone was drawn to relieve overcrowding at Samuell and Bryan Adams high schools); or attending both a cluster and regular classes at Skyline.
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. District officials appointed a task force to address these concerns.[12] Nevertheless, with the continued existence of Skyline's magnet programs and the subsequent "spinning off" of several independent magnet schools, the issue has persisted to the present day, and district officials continue efforts to allay feelings of resentment.[13]
Over time, numerous clusters have left Skyline and moved into facilities of their own, becoming full-fledged DISD magnet high schools. For example, the Performing Arts Cluster and the Health Careers Cluster both discontinued their affiliations with Skyline in 1976 and became, respectively, the (presently-named) Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and the High School for the Health Professions (now the School of Health Professions at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center). In 2007, district officials announced a plan to relieve overcrowding at Skyline by moving several Skyline magnet programs to Emmett J. Conrad High School, meanwhile hoping to increase the latter's achievement levels. These actions have in some instances occasioned resentment by Skyline's own faculty and educational community, who have worried that Skyline's Career Development Center was created only to ultimately self-destruct, and, in the most recent events, that successful students educated at Skyline are being used to artificially boost another school's academic standing. District officials continue in their efforts to respond to these controversies.[14][15][16]
Skyline served grades 10 and 11 in 1970–1971, and grades 10–12 from 1971 to 1976. The school has included grades 9–12 since the fall of 1976. Since its opening Skyline has consistently been DISD's largest high school in terms of enrollment. As of 2015, Skyline is one of the largest predominately Hispanic high schools in Texas with over 70% of the 4,500+ students identifying as Hispanic.[17]
Sign at the entrance of Skyline reading "America's 1st Magnet High School/CDC"
In 1971 Nolan Estes, the DISD superintendent, referred to it as a "magnet school" upon its introduction;[18] Jim Schutze of the Dallas Observer wrote that "According to Skyline lore, it is the oldest and biggest magnet school in the nation."[8]
In 2021, a policy was enacted making students who were tardy to school barred from attending their classes. Outrage from parents resulted in media coverage and eventual overturning of this policy.[19]
In 2024, the 50th anniversary of the school's opening, Skyline was featured on NBC's "Brag About Your School".[20] In that same year, Skyline faculty announced the Super Senior Scholarship[a], a $500 scholarship for seniors paid for by donations from Skyline alumni.[21]
Skyline High School is among the top rated high schools in the nation as recognized by US News magazine. About 90% of the students graduate yearly while averaging 1000 students per graduating class.[26]
A team of Skyline students won the United States National Academic Championship in 1985.[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".
^"Resentment Reported: Magnet Recruiting Rift Probed." Dallas Times Herald, 15 March 1977.
^"Magnet map attracts blog views." The Dallas Morning News, 16 January 2008.
^"Magnets Attract Skyline Success" by Eric Miller. Dallas Times Herald, 30 August 1976.
^"Skyline High School parents speak out against plan to move magnet programs to Conrad High" by Tawnell D. Hobbs. The Dallas Morning News, 17 January 2008.
^"Supporters try to prevent loss of Skyline magnet programs" by Kent Fischer. The Dallas Morning News, 12 January 2008.
^Biography. "Texas House Has More Than Three-Dozen New Members" by Emily Ramshaw and Matt Stiles. The Texas Tribune, 4 November 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
Skyline Center Celebrates 40 Years, a video produced by Dallas Schools Television, featuring the early history of Skyline Center. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
Map of the entire campus
Entrance to the main building
Interior of the auditorium
Main entrance of A-building
Main entrance of B-building
Exterior of C-building
Main entrance of F-building
Main entrance of G-building
Exterior of T-building
Exterior of the Coach J.D. Mayo Gymnasium
Close up of the sign of Coach J.D. Mayo Gymnasium
Decorations of the walls of Coach J.D. Mayo Gymnasium
Sign reading "Raiders own the court"
Decorations of the walls of Coach J.D. Mayo Gymnasium
Interior of the Coach J.D. Mayo Gymnasium
Cardbord box pinhole projection of the Great North American Eclipse, constructed by Skyline's Science Club
