The school is a public school, with an enrollment of over 1,100 boys from grades 8 to 12 (ages 13 to 18). King Edward VII Preparatory School (KEPS), which is situated adjacent to the High School and shares its grounds, caters to boys from grades R to 7.
In 1902, when theBoer War came to an end, there was an urgent need for schools in theTransvaal. TheMilner Administration, in search of suitable buildings in which to establish temporary classrooms, found a vacant cigar factory in Johannesburg, on the corner of Gold and Kerk Streets, which was chosen as venue for "The Government High School for Boys", also known as the "Johannesburg High School for Boys". Thus was born a school which ultimately became the KingEdward VII School.
It grew so rapidly that, in 1904, it was moved to Barnato Park where it was established in the mansion that originally had been designed for the mining millionaireBarney Barnato, who died at sea in 1897. At its new location, it was referenced as "Johannesburg College" but, within seven years, the premises were deemed inadequate and, in 1911, the school was moved to its present site on theHoughton ridge where new buildings had been impressively-designed and specifically constructed for the school. The time frame, within less than a year after the founding of theUnion of South Africa and the death ofQueen Victoria's eldest son and successor, Edward VII, led to the proposal that the institution's name be changed to honour his memory, thus establishing the appellation, King Edward VII School.
Over a century old, the school buildings of King Edward retain their impressive appearance and are considered national monuments. These include the school hall, the back façade, the front façade, the lecture theatre and library wing, the memorial wing and thecenotaph in the main quad.
^Alexander, E. G. M.; Barron G. K. B. & Bateman, A. J. (1986).South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau. p. 125.ISBN0-7981-1895-4.
