WHS was founded in 1870; the current building was originally built in 1907 and underwent a major renovation/addition in 2000-2002 thereby adding many new classrooms, labs, a new library, and cafeteria as well as a general modernization of the interior.

Walpole High School offers many academic courses in various levels to challenge students in English, foreign language, history, mathematics and sciences.

[8] Additionally, WHS offers an extensive choice of electives and AP classes covering all academic areas.

[9] Walpole High School offers extracurricular activities including varsity level sports, a student council, a robotics team, an annual film festival, a dance company, a best buddies club, a speech and debate team, an orchestra, a band, a chorus, and a theatre program.

After criticism that these glorified the confederate cause of slavery, the flag was banned in the 1980s,[11] and the "Rebels" name was removed by the School Committee in 2020, during the uprise of the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd protests.