Crispus Attucks High School was opened in 1927 and named for Crispus Attucks, a black man who was the first American to die in the Revolutionary War. As the only option for black students in the area, enrollment topped 3,000 students in the 1940's. The school was also the only option for black educators, resulting in the best becoming teachers and administrators at Crispus Attucks. Every teacher at Crispus Attucks High School had, at least, a Masters degree.

Crispus Attucks is probably most remembered for its sports teams. The 1955 basketball team, which featured future NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, became the first all-black team in the U. S. to win a State Championship. They were also the first team from Indianapolis to win the Indiana State Championship. History shows the magnitude of this accomplishment as the team had to overcome obvious prejudice from the opposing fans as well as many referees. They won the championship again the next year (the first undefeated team in Indiana high school history), then again in 1959.

Crispus Attucks High School was closed in 1986 and converted to a Junior High school. In 1993 it was changed to a Middle school. In 2006, it was reopened as "The Medical Magnet at Crispus Attucks", a medical preparatory school for grades 6-12.

The building is also the home of the Crispus Attucks Museum. The museum contains a collection of Crispus Attucks High School yearbooks as well as other treasures from Crispus Attucks High School and a collection of African & African-American memorabilia and art.