In southeast Spokane's Southgate neighborhood, it was built at a cost of $3,235,861 and opened on September 3, 1963.

[3] The school was named in 1961 for Joel E. Ferris (1874–1960),[4][5] a banker and civic leader in Spokane.

The school is also the location of the studios of KSPS-TV, a PBS member station owned by the school board, which serves eastern Washington and surrounding states, as well as enjoying significant viewership in the province of Alberta, Canada.

[7] Beginning in 2005, the school underwent a major redevelopment, designed by NAC Architecture, with nearly the entire campus having been rebuilt.

[8] [9] Ferris competes in WIAA Class 3A and is a member of the Greater Spokane League in District Eight.