It was built at 701 Adger Road on a ten-acre lot, which was once part of Governor Wade Hampton's estate, purchased for $25,000 from Burrell D. Manning.

Mr. Dreher was also responsible for the building initiative that led to the construction of Columbia and Booker T. Washington High Schools.

Two years later the first black students to enroll at Dreher were Oliver Washington and Brenda Fruster, as part of the Freedom of Choice plan in 1964.

[3] In 1958, the S. C. General Assembly authorized an experiment in use of television to teach with closed-circuit instructional productions originating from the library at Dreher High School.

The condition of the physical plant, the inadequacies of space and classroom size, as well as the technological shortfalls of the old school made the construction of a new facility necessary.

The new school incorporates a covered seating area, a wall built from bricks of the old building with some of its seals and plaques and a lamppost donated by alumni.

[6] Additional reminders of Dreher's proud past include statuary and the extensive art gallery (professional and student works) that was accumulated through the efforts of various school organizations, graduating classes, and donations from many benefactors.

[10] In February 2022, Dreher's drama department (Thespian Troupe 3940) won the chapter select[11] at the Palmetto Dramatic Association One Act Competition for their production of Dwayne Hartford's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and will go on to represent the state of South Carolina at the International Thespian Festival in Bloomington, Indiana.

The show was directed by theatre teacher Kathleen Pennyway, assistant directed by student Walker Weaver, costumed by student Zoe Barber, and was performed by students Liam Judge, Melody Driggers, Sofia Jones, William Barr, Nick Godby, Dazah Crouder Gantt, Dante Vega, Zamirah Smith, Amelia Lacy, Dorthanius Slade, and Mary Des Parker.