The original Flint Northern was built in 1928. The present structure was built in 1971 on forty-three acres at a cost of $6,711,000.00. It has 90 classrooms, a gymnasium, auxilliary gymnasium, swimming pool, instructional materials center, cafeteria, administrative and counseling center.

Currently, Northern houses 7th through 12th grades as part of Flint Schools Superintendant Walter Milton's school reform plan. The school is divided into three academies: Foundation (7th and 8th grades), Success (9th grade), and Commencement (10th through 12th grades).