It was created in 1963 when the roll of Kelston High School (formed in 1954) became too large for the site on the corner of Archibald and Gt North Rds.

Although the school is known for the strength of its various sports teams, it has also had some notable achievements in music, dance and theatresports and produced some outstanding academic results.

The previous principal, who retired in April 2011, Stephen Watt played for the Auckland regional team in the 1970s (where he was affectionately nicknamed 'The Kicking Prop' for his unusual goalkicking prowess).

Brian Evans was the former principal; he coached the women's Black Ferns national side to rugby world cup victory in 2010.

[3] Long-standing Member of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives Jonathan Hunt taught history at Kelston Boys'.

[8] During the 1995 rugby season KBHS had won 27–0 against Papakura and had 98 wins over Rotorua Boys' High School, Te Awamutu and Morrinsville, all of which scored three each.