The school was founded in 1874 by the
Cowley Fathers. The school originated as a
choir school for members of St. Peter's Church, which had previously been established in 1858 with funds donated by Mr. Shepherd, on land provided by the
Government. A few poor children were also taken into care by the Fathers at this time, marking the start of an essential aspect of the Fathers' mission in Mumbai. '''St. Peter's Girls' High School''' in
Byculla was established on 16 August 1875. In June of 1876, a few boys were admitted to the school. On 1 March 1878, a compact boys' school was founded in rented premises in Mazagaon, and funds were obtained for a new structure under the railway bridge next to
Dockyard Road railway station. The
Government provided half of the funding for this new school building, with the remaining coming from St. Peter's Church parishioners and well-wishing individuals. The new structure was officially opened in October 1879 on the grounds of St. Peter's Church. In 1905 the site of St. Peter’s Church was claimed by the
Mumbai Port Trust to allow for the extension of the
Port Trust Railway and the
Harbour Railway Line. A new site at the junction of Dockyard Road and Belvedere Road was granted by the
Government and the present St. Peter’s Chapel was built in 1907 and finished in 1908. On 19 January 1910, '''St. Peter's High School for Boys and Girls''' was officially inaugurated on the school's parapet. == Academics ==