Between 1888 and 1908, Sacred Heart School was conducted by dedicated Catholic lay teachers, among whom was Ethel Saye, who later became well known to generations of pupils as Sr. M Josephine, the Infant Mistress.

The number of pupils attending the school grew steadily with the expansion of the city of Hobart into the northern suburbs.

The 1970s saw expansion with additional classrooms in both the primary and secondary sections, libraries, science laboratories and student and staff amenities.

The restructuring of Catholic education in southern Tasmania saw the introduction of co-education into the secondary school in 1994, and the Year 11 and 12 classes were moved to Guilford Young College.

Sacred Heart College is a junior to senior school running from kindergarten to Year Ten.