In 1896 is die heel eerste skool op Ellisras, toe Waterkloof genoem, begin. Dit was 'n rietgeboutjie op die presiese plek waar die Palmpark Hotel vandag staan. Hierdie skool het mettertyd doodgeloop weens die moeilike omstandighede van daardie tyd — maar in 1934 ontstaan 'n "tweemanskooltjie", die Waterkloof Skool, ongeveer 400 m suid van Ellisras Hotel. Hierdie skool het tot by standerd ses gegaan
Die inskrywingsyfer het vinnig gestyg en 'n hout- en sinkklaskamer, asook 'n tentlokaal, is opgerig. In Januarie 1942 begin die skool met 'n leerlingtal van 105. Alles het net vlot begin verloop, toe 'n groot storm losbars en die tentlokaal wegwaai. In Julie 1947 kom die Waterkloof se Sentrale Skool tot stand wat ook net tot standerd ses gaan. Dit is die huidige Ellisras Laerskool. Op 18 Julie 1952 vergader die skool-komitee van bogenoemde skool om die moontlikheid van "Middelbare Onderwys" te bespreek, en in 1958 word hierdie ideaal verwesenlik en staan die skool bekend as Waterkloof Groep II Skool.
In 1962 matrikuleer die eerste 21 leerlinge op Ellisras. In 1964 verdeel die skool in Ellisras Hoërskool en Ellisras Laerskool, met 'n gesamentlike inskrywingsgetal van 363. In 1965 word JP de Beer as waarnemende hoof aangestel. Intussen is die Hoërskool se geboue vanaf 1 Mei 1963 deur Capital Construction gebou. Met die opening van die skole in Januarie 1966, is die geboue voltooi en die skool kon betrek word. JP de Beer word aangestel as hoof. In Januarie 1969 word PJC van Dyk die volgende hoof en word daar begin met die intensiewe beywering vir sportvelde.
Gedurende 1980 word aangekondig dat die destydse Evkom 'n kragsentrale by Ellisras gaan oprig. Daar word met groot verwagting na die nuwe ontwikkeling uitgesien. In Augustus 1981 word daar goed gevorder met die aanbou van huise vir Evkom-werkers. 'n Merkbare tendens is konstante tot stygende getalle — vir Augustus is 360 leerlinge 'n duidelike styging. Vandag staan Ellisras Hoërskool onder leiding van mnr. Louis Campbell en spog die skool met verskeie prestasies op plaaslike, provinsiale en nasionale gebied.
In 2018, nadat mnr Campell aftree, word mnr Adriaan Joubert aangestel en staan die skool weer op die drumpel van 'n nuwe omwenteling en 'n nuwe toekoms.
In 1896 the first school in Ellisras, called Waterkloof, started. It was a cane building at the exact spot where the Palm Park Hotel is today. This school has gradually petered out due to the difficult circumstances of that time - but in 1934 a "two men school", the Waterkloof School, was created, approximately 400 m south of Ellisras Hotel. This school accommodated learners up to standard six.
The enrolment rate has increased rapidly and a wood and corrugated iron classroom, and a local tent was erected. In January 1942 the school started with 105 pupils. Everything just started running smoothly, when a great storm burst and blew away the tent venue. In July 1947 the Waterkloof Central School was established for learners up to standard six. This is the current Laerskool Ellisras.
On 18 July 1952 the school committee gathered to discuss the possibility of "Secondary Education", and in 1958 this ideal is realized and the school called Waterkloof Group II was erected. In 1962 the first 21 matrics, matriculated at Ellisras. In 1964 the school splitted into Hoërskool Ellisras and Laerskool Ellisras, with a combined enrolment of 363 learners. In 1965 JP de Beer was appointed as acting principal.
In the mean time the High School building was being build from 1 May 1963 by Capital Construction. With the opening of the schools in January 1966 the buildings were completed and occupied. JP de Beer was appointed as principal. In January 1969 PJC van Dyk became the next principal and the intensive endeavour for sport fields was started.
During 1980 Eskom announced that a power station at Lephalale will be erected. The new development was seen with great anticipation. In August 1981 the building of houses for Eskom workers progressed well. A noticeable trend was steady to rising numbers - for August 360 pupils was a clear increase in learner numbers.
Today Hoërskool Ellisras is under the leadership of Mr. Louis Campbell and the school boasts with several outstanding performances at local, provincial and national level.
In 2018, after Mr Campell retires, Mr Adriaan Joubert wass appointed and the school is once again on the threshold of a new revolution and a new future.