Ipil National High School, formerly known as Ipil Barangay High School, was established in 1975. The school is located in Brgy. Ipil, western part of Surigao City. It is 9 kilometers away from the city proper. Its first establishment came to realization when couple residents, Mr. Fortunato Besario and Mrs. Marcelina Besario, asked for a permit from the DECS, Surigao City, for its opening. The high school did not have its own site then, so it squatted in the elementary premises; thus, supervision was done by the elementary principal. It started with the first-year level, and Mrs. Angelina Penados was the pioneer teacher.

As years went by, the enrolment increased because other students from nearby barangays and sitios like Bioborjan, Lipata, Punta Bilar, Danao, Anao-aon, and Magtangale came to enroll. Thus, the number of teachers increased. There were already nine (9) teachers; therefore, it offered a complete secondary course. However, the problem of the lack of classrooms was still felt, owing to the non-acquisition of its own site. It took some time for the administration to solve the said problem. Upon request for help from City Mayor Salvador C. Sering, the City Division—particularly the Ipil Barangay High School—secured its permanent school site. A makeshift school was erected through the initial efforts of the well-organized General Parents-Teachers Association. Although the whole situation was quite miserable, classes were still conducted successfully. Until that time, DECS had not yet budgeted for the procurement of chairs and other school facilities, but the barangay administration and the people worked hand in hand for the improvement of the school.

On its 25th year of existence, the untiring efforts of its populace had finally paid off. The church, through the generosity of Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Vicente Castro, SVD, donated a six-classroom building and a multi-purpose building for the Barangay High School. The construction started on July 11, 1989, and everybody in the community was involved in its completion. It was in 1989 when the Ipil Barangay High School became a National High School. In 1990, Ipil Newly Nationalized High School received aids or dole-outs from a foreign country. It was Mrs. Angelina V. Penados who became the Officer-in-Charge of the school until 1992. PASMEP, or Philippine-Australia Science and Math Equipment Project, provided certain pieces of valuable equipment to further support Math and Science teachers and students in the teaching and learning process. Mrs. Flordelina D. Espin began her work as the next OIC in 1992, and in the following year, the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) building was established. Aside from the five classrooms, one Science Laboratory building with two comfort rooms and pieces of quality equipment for HE Industries, Arts, Science, and Math subjects were given to help facilitate the needs of students and teachers in enhancing quality learning.

Mrs. Marilou B. Dedumo succeeded as the school principal in the year 1996, and in 1998, the school was awarded its fiscal autonomy, thus giving the school leeway to have easy access to funds and allocations bent toward enhancing its quality of education. Ipil National High School was chosen as the Division Leader School and also became the PROBE Leader School, a recipient school of the project in Basic Education, which is a joint venture of the governments of the Philippines and Australia. It was in the year 2000 when the school received a number of computer units to cope with the demands of time. Enhancing technical know-how became one mission. By the school year 2001–2002, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Mar Roxas donated the school 20 computer units. Hence, the students were given the basic course and hands-on training in computer education. It was in 2004 when Ms. Maria Luisa A. Guyano came to the school serving as Principal, and in the year 2006, the school was awarded the Center of Excellence in CARAGA. Then in the year 2009, Mr. Ricky L. Pedralba became the OIC of the school. This was followed by Mrs. Susan B. Alenton serving in the same year.

In 2010, the DTI donated 11 computers and a printer, received by Principal Dr. Arthur E. Jamera, who ran the school from 2011. Under his leadership, the school hosted major events such as scouting jamborettes, regional activities for children with special needs, and football tournaments. The school, received a Level 2 rating for Project Sterling Silver, a DepEd accreditation program for public high schools. It was in 2013 that the first grand alumni homecoming was conducted, initiated by the pioneering officers of the Ipil NHS Alumni Association.

Dr. Vilma L. Gorgonio served as principal in 2014, implementing Project WATCH (We Observe Time Consciousness and Honesty), emphasizing punctuality and attendance. In 2015, Dr. Thelma T. Tolentino took over. Through the DepEd Computerization Program, the school received 50 computers and built a new computer lab. A two-storey building was constructed for Senior High School offerings in SY 2016–2017, along with additional JHS classrooms, a library, and SHS Science and TVL laboratories.

Dr. Trinidad T. Pulvera led the school in 2018, focusing on infrastructure improvements such as concreting pathways and construction of reading sheds. In 2019, Mrs. Myrna Y. Gijapon became principal. In the same year, the Gaisano Capital Group of Companies donated a two-classroom building. Ties with partnerships were strengthened during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. During this period, classes were still conducted through virtual and modular approaches. JCI Surigao Nickel was one partner supporting the school’s banner project, the eREADER (Enhanced Reading Engagement for Developing and Emergent Readers), for learners who needed reading intervention. The JCI renovated the old school stage into a Reading Center. The school earned a three-star rating in the WinS (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools) evaluation, with Mrs. Jimmyl Ann G. Asis as the first Assistant School Head in 2022, followed by Mr. Freddie E. Confesor in 2023.

In 2024, Ms. Rufina M. Creencia joined as principal with Assistant School Head Mr. John Benedict B. Entrada. The school applied for a STEM strand in Senior High School, which was approved and thereby constructed a new building that was completed in 2025 for the STEM classes. Mr. Monreynard P. Cortes became the fourth Assistant School Head, who later transferred out in July 2025.

Currently, the school is led by School Principal Dr. Rudelyn R. Clemeña and Assistant School Head Mr. Catalino A. Gesta, with four non-teaching personnel and 37 teachers. Together, they continue the mission of delivering quality education and upholding the vision of Ipil National High School. The school celebrated its 50th Founding Anniversary on October 24, 2025—a testament to five decades of resilience, community spirit, and educational progress.