St. Stephens was formed when Allen Frye, Peace Academy, Lail, Sandy Ridge, and Cloninger combined into one school.

The school first opened in the fall of 1934, with R. N. Hoyle serving as the first teacher and principal.

In 21st century America, an "Indian" mascot is widely considered to be a racist trope.

[3] Even after the local Cherokee, a federally recognized Native American nation, protested use of an "Indian" as the school's mascot, the school administration ignored their concerns and retained it.

The school won three straight NCHSAA state championships in 2A baseball in 1971, 1972 and 1973.