Stanton is the oldest continually operating high school in Florida.  It was built in the 1860s before being destroyed and rebuilt several times. It has changed from comprehensive to vocational to college preparatory curricula. The school at one time taught all grade levels before permanently becoming a senior high school in a late 1930s. At that time, it was the only high school for African-Americans in Jacksonville and one of a few in Florida. Originally named after Edwin M. Stanton, President Lincoln's War Secretary, the school has existed under several names, including Stanton Normal School, the Stanton School, the Stanton Institute, Old Stanton High School, New Stanton High School, Stanton Senior High School, Stanton Vocational High School, and its current form, Stanton College Preparatory School. In 1983, Stanton was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

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