The Anglo-Chinese School was founded on 1st March 1886 by Bishop William F Oldham. With a humble beginning of 13 pupils in a small shophouse at 70 Amoy Street, the school increased its population to 104 the following year and had to move to a building in Coleman Street, where the first Methodist Chapel had already been established. The Methodist Chapel served as the School Chapel while the school building housed the missionaries and young boarders. The Mission subsequently purchased "Bellevue" in Orchard Road and moved the boarders there in 1888. The boarding house was renamed "Oldham Hall" in 1896.

Though then fairly young, the Anglo-Chinese School was soon known for its significant achievements. The School was so successful in the Government Examinations that it qualified for a regular Government grant. H A D Moore in 1894 and Robert Hoisington in 1897 won the coveted Queen's Scholarship. In later years, the school was able to boast of a good number of Queen's Scholars, Queen's Fellows and State Scholars.

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