It was founded in 1978 as a business-oriented technical school (Hoërhandelskool Stellenbosch),[1] located in the center of town, but moved to the suburbs in the 1980s.

The town became known as the City of Oaks or Eikestad in Afrikaans and Dutch due to the large number of oak trees that were planted by its founder, Simon van der Stel, to grace the streets and homesteads.

Stellenbosch High School is located between the JS Marais Park and the residential area Uniepark.

Stellenbos ń skone tuiste, en die luister van jou naamAnker ons aan jou verlede, bind ons tot ń eenheid saamVier en hoog net soos die eikegroei ons hier op goeie grondMet oog gelowig boëntoetoegerus en afgerondSemper AltiorOns lese spoor ons teen die opdraand aanVastrap!

Altyd hoër!Tot ons op die bergspits staanLearners from Stellenbosch High School write the NSC (National Senior Certificate) examination at the end of their matric year (grade 12).