Eleanor Laura McMain was opened as a public senior high school for girls in 1932. The school was named after a living social worker. In 1952, the school was changed from an all girls senior high to a coeducational secondary school.

Today McMain is an institution that enrolls students from all walks of life. Students are currently bused to the school from Greater New Orleans area. The current enrollment is 700 students in grades 7th-12th. The population of students are diverse, the school is comprised of African Americans, Asian, and Latino students.