Legend has it that the first school, St. Peter’s Mission School, was founded in 1868. The Dutch Reformed Church School was founded in 1884 and in 1897 the two schools amalgamated into what became the public school. Construction on the famous stone building began in 1907 and it was officially occupied in 1911. In 1918 the school received primary school status under Mr S.G. du Toit as headmaster.

Gradually the school expanded until in 1941 it was awarded high school status. The first matric class wrote their examinations in December 1942. A shortage of facilities made teaching difficult and there followed a struggle between the school and the Education Department to obtain more classrooms. Eventually construction began on a new school in 1974 and in 1977 the High School moved to its present home.

The school currently boasts excellent facilities including a gymnasium, six netball courts, four tennis courts, three rugby fields, two cricket pitches, three hockey fields, an astro hockey field and two well-equipped computer centres; these being just some of the more recent additions to the school. From its humble beginnings in 1941 with only 60 learners, Hermanus High School has grown in stature to where it is now regarded as a leader in academic, sporting and cultural affairs, with 1000 learners.