The large engraving at the old building's entrance reads simply "Universidad Nacional, Colegio" ("National University, High School").

In its inception, the college functioned as a classic British boarding school, where students and professors lived together for extended periods of time.

The federal government converted the school into the National College of La Plata in July 1887; its first rector was Dr. Matías Calandrelli.

[1][2] The school was later named after Rafael Hernández, a journalist, agricultural engineer, soldier, and politician who spearheaded the founding of the City and Port of La Plata, as well as its university.

The building underwent extensive restoration on the occasion of its centennial in 2005, supported by the President of Argentina at the time, the late Néstor Kirchner, whose family is among the alumni.

[3] On August 3, 2017, a 15-year-old student carried a .38 caliber revolver and committed suicide in the early hours of the morning in one of the classrooms, apparently due to the bullying she received from her classmates.