The birth of Fern Creek Traditional High School as we know it today started in 1923 with a total enrollment of 25 students in the freshman and sophomore classes. The school was a red brick structure on Ferndale Road and contained four rooms. The first graduating class of 1926 consisted of six students.
The Class of 1927 consisted of 15 students, and each class had its own colors. The second graduating class chose blue and white as their colors. At this time enrollment had grown so much that a second floor (a principal's office, a library, and four more classrooms) had to be added.
By this time, Fern Creek had become the first recognized high school in Jefferson County. The District covered an area of approximately 100 square miles. By 1929, a gym (that would also serve as an auditorium) and four new classrooms were completed. In 1932, the colors black and gold were adopted as Fern Creek's colors, and in 1936 the student body chose the present-day colors of orange and black and the fight song.
In 1941, many schools were consolidated with Fern Creek. The once rural community was developing into a middle class town. Fern Creek High School continued to grow, and after World War II, new construction was added to the campus. Portables were added in 1947-1950. At this time Valley, Fairdale, Fern Creek, Eastern, and Okolona (now Southern) were the only county high schools.
In the '60s, even more space was needed, resulting in double sessions. In 1973, the annex that had served as Fern Creek High School for more than 40 years was torn down. In 1974, construction of a new facility was completed, which gave Fern Creek High School the capacity to house 2,500 students.
In the '90s, Fern Creek underwent another extensive renovation, with more than $2.5 million used to update and remodel the facilities. From a four-room schoolhouse to a sprawling campus with more than 70 classrooms, Fern Creek Traditional High School is a school committed to continuing its rich history and to being a leader in the programs, services, and positive environment it affords all students who enter its doors.
As a result of a decision made by the School Based Decision-Making (SBDM) Council on April 29, 1997, Fern Creek High School became a traditional school. In the traditional program the standards of patriotism, morality, and personal integrity are stressed in a structured learning environment. With its dress code, discipline code, heterogeneous grouping career majors, and college preparatory curriculum, Fern Creek Traditional High School continues to challenge its students to be the best.