The school celebrated the 200th year since Nelson's victory in 2005 with colourful events and staff dressed as characters from the day.

A cubist mural of Nelson's ship, HMS Victory, painted by artist and former teacher Robert Bateman, hangs above a staircase in the school's Canada Foyer.

The impetus for naming the school may have come from its close proximity to the former village of Port Nelson, which was incorporated into the City of Burlington in 1874.

In 2020, the nearby Robert Bateman High School was closed; students and staff were transferred to Nelson.

School sports and training facilities consist of two gyms; one large and one small, a weight room and a six lane synthetic athletics track complete with steeple chase equipment.