It is the older of the two public high schools that serves the population of parts of the city of Homestead, Redland, Naranja, Leisure City, and other unincorporated areas.

South Dade is currently structured as a magnet school with International Baccalaureate and five other Academic programs that draw students from throughout the region.

South Dade was established in 1953, consolidating the original Homestead High School with the agricultural program and grades 9-12 of the Redland Farm Life School.

[3] Following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the school building was repaired and a new science wing opened in 1995.

In 2008, a state of the art facility with over 420,000 square feet opened.