[4] The school was incorporated in 1964[5] and opened on September 22, 1965, to 31 students in grades five through eight.

Multiple construction projects in 1999, combined with a sagging economy, triggered severe financial problems and school accrued a large debt by the early 2000s.

[9][10] Michael Mersky, who was appointed the 7th head of the school in 2009,[11] launched an ambitious fund raising effort for the Pirate Fund and by mid-2010, school announced that it has successfully gotten rid of the debt.

School facilities include an 800-seat theater, a water complex, two gyms, two libraries, fine arts center with music and arts studios, athletic playing fields, and eight science labs.

The school operates the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts, an 800 seat proscenium theater.