All the towns in Kings County were settled by the Dutch with the exception of Gravesend, which was first settled by a colony of English people under the leadership of Lady Deborah Moody, a woman of considerable wealth and education, who took a prominent part in public affairs, and whose home was on Neck Road.

[citation needed] According to the New York City Ward Map of Kings County in 1899, the school is located on the former property of John Carter.

[citation needed] There are two other high schools in the city, which are duplicates of this type – Christopher Columbus and William Cullen Bryant.

On November 13, 1939, the formal exercises dedicating Lafayette High School took place in the auditorium.

Extra police officers and security guards were added when the New York City Department of Education labeled it an "Impact School".

Principal Rohloff was praised by Department of Education officials for her work attempting to turn around the school, but criticized by the community, teachers, and students for heavy-handiness She was assigned by the Department of Education to mentor principals and teachers on how to interpret student performance data and make necessary adjustments to instruction.

Of all high schools in New York State, Lafayette has the most alumni, 13, who reached the Major League Baseball.