Students attending SHS starting in 1874 had one teacher who taught reading, spelling, arithmetic, grammar, history, and philosophy.

[2] With the start of the new school year in September 2006, a $21 million addition to the building was opened after 18 months of construction.

The addition also features wireless computer access and a drop-off area for entering students near Strawberry Hill Avenue.

Everett Hyland, an alumnus of the school who was wounded in the attack, donated the flag in 2007 on condition that it be raised each year on that date.

"It's one thing to read a book that 2,400 people died," Doug MacLehose, head of the school's history department, told a newspaper reporter.