Taft is a small city of fewer than 10,000, and the school also serves the surrounding rural area, which in the early 21st century has a total population of about 20,000.

In February 1909 Thomas Conley and Wilson St. Clair Lierly circulated petitions to establish the first school district in the town.

Classes started September 1909 in a small frame shack near the Moron Boiler Works at Crystal Street and Leirly Avenue near what was then Boust City.

[3] By 1917 a new campus was completed on property purchased from the Southern Pacific Railroad on the northwest corner of Seventh and San Emidio streets; this is the present-day location.

[citation needed] The Taft Union High School District authorized the establishment of classes at the junior college level starting in September 1922.

The school also offers numerous sports, including golf, swimming, football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and others.

Taft High's drama department puts on one musical a year; roles are open by audition.

Heber and campus supervisor Kim Lee Fields persuaded Oliver to drop his weapon and surrender and evacuated the students from the room.

After sentencing, Cleveland filed a lawsuit against the school District claiming the shooting could have been avoided.