[3] It was established as Otorohanga District High School in 1895.

The school includes a Monday-to-Friday boarding hostel, Falloon House, opened in 1975, for students from outlying areas who return home each weekend.

[4] In 2015, select Ōtorohanga College students were among the hundreds who met at parliament to push for a day to remember the Land Wars (New Zealand's Civil War of the mid 1840s to early 1870s.

)[5][6] Among the Ōtorohanga College students was year 13 Leah Bell, who stated to Stuff, "We decided that it was our responsibility now to take action and be proactive about our history.

"[7] On 9 November 2020, Ōtorohanga College closed down its hostel after health authorities confirmed that a positive COVID-19 case had visited the facility while travelling from Wellington to Ōtorohanga and Kawhia.