[citation needed] The school is located on land that previously was a part of the farm known as Cherrybrook which belonged to Mr. Andrew Primrose, Esq., J.P. an early settler and prominent resident in Waikato.

[2] The land purchased by Primrose was previously confiscated from Māori by the Grey Colonial government.

Year 10 students attend Tihoi for two terms (18 weeks) as part of an adventure-based character development and education programme.

[citation needed] As a private school, St Paul's Collegiate receives little funding from the government and charges parents of students tuition fees to cover costs.

Around 71% of students at the school identified as New Zealand European (Pakeha), 9% as Māori, and 5% each as Chinese, Indian, and Pacific Islanders.