The current school building was originally built by the Public Works Administration.

[2] Port Jefferson High School was renamed around 1960 in honor of Earl L. Vandermeulen, who served as principal from 1923[3] to 1960.

[4][5] In 1933, for example, the school was also accepting students from Port Jefferson Station, Terryville, Belle Terre, Miller Place, Mount Sinai, Rocky Point, Wading River, Shoreham, Middle Island, West Middle Island, West Yaphank, Ridge, Coram, Selden, and Stony Brook.

[2][6] As surrounding communities began to open their own high schools with the spread of suburban growth into Suffolk County, this practice subsided, and finally ended with the opening of Mount Sinai High School in 1991.

[8] Earl L. Vandermeulen fields a number of varsity and junior varsity athletic teams in Section 11 (League 8) of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, including the following sports: Fall Winter Spring