In the early years of the school, two rented houses in the town served as hostels for the boys at Isokun Street, Ilesa. From here the boys had to trek from those places to the compound and back every day.

The girls on the other hand were accommodated in neighbouring Methodist Girl’s Secondary Modern School in Agunrodo. The school later built a hostel in the school for the girls.

Mr. Onaeko, the Principal, was the only graduate teacher at the onset. He had a handful of non-graduates to work with him. As the school progressed, Miss Osborne, an expatriate, joined the staff as a graduate. Subsequently, some other graduates were recruited as staff.

The first Principal was noted to have created a high standard of discipline and with the support of the staff the foundation of the reputation for which the school is known till today was then laid.

Other Principals continued on this foundation. These Principals are:

1. Miss Osborne (1963 – 1964)
2. Mr. E. A Olayinka (1965 – 1972)
3. Mr. A. A. Obisesan (1973 – 1975)
4. Mr. Fatiregun (Jan 1975 – Aug 1975)
5. Hon. Chief S. A Akinyemi (Sept 1975 – Dec. 1975)
6. Mr. E. Ola Ojo (Jan 1976 – Aug.1980)
7. Mr. E. A Oyedeji (Sept 1980 – April 1985)
8. Mr. Tope Ogunleye (Sept 1985 – Dec 1996)
9. Mr. Bode Agunbiade (Jan 1997 – Aug 1999)
10. Mr. Victor Awoseyi (Feb 2000 – Jan 2001)
11. Mrs. G. I. Sarumi (Feb. 2001 – June 2007)
12. Mr. E. T A Eniola (Jul 2007 – Dec 2021)
13. Mr. A. O Famakinwa (Jan 2013 – July 2015)
14. Mr. V. Oluwole Daramola (Aug. 2015 – Mar. 2020)
15. Mr. M.K Adesiyan (April 2020 – Aug. 2020)
16. Mrs. C. Ayotunde Adagunodo (Sept. 2020 till date)

Methodist High School, Ilesa, was unique in many respects. It had a complement of committed teachers who were able to impact on the lives of the students. This is evident in the very good performance of students year-in year-out.

The school was well known for soccer, hockey, badminton and many other sports. The school was also renowned in athletics. The school was a great place for the student population drawn from all over Nigeria to explore and discover themselves.

Methodist High School, Ilesa has over the years produced distinguished old students who have made and are still making giant strides in their various areas of endeavours as doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs and politicians. These Old Students have constituted themselves into a Osamethsi, a very vibrant association, enthusiastically giving back to their Alma mater. They have contributed immensely in the areas of infrastructural and academic development.

Various projects of the old students are still ongoing and are still willing to do more for the school.

As at January 2022, the status of the school is as detailed below:

Student enrolment: 475
Boys -230
Girls -245

The State Government paid staff: 44
• Male -30
• Female -14

The school is currently governed by a Board of Governors headed by a distinguished old student — Chief Babakoya Dada and Eight other eminent stakeholders.