Queen's College was founded on Monday, October 10, 1927. It was the first government-owned school for girls. Its first principal, Miss Wordsworth, was a great-grand niece of the famous English writer, William Wordsworth. Originally called Government School for Girls, Lagos, it officially became Queen's College on April 12, 1928. The school's original site was in the heart of Lagos, on King George IV street. It was later moved in 1958 to its present site in Yaba. At QC's inception, its population was modest. There were 7 students in Form 1 and 13 in Form 2. The college's curriculum was essentially concerned with preparing girls for roles as mothers and housewives. Subjects included Prayers, Housework, Drill, English, Needlework and Embroidery, Singing, Geography, Mathematics, Hygiene, History, Reading, and Games. The 1930s saw the introduction of science into the Queen's College curriculum. A strong brother-sister relationship was nurtured between King's and Queen's Colleges because Queen's College science lessons were conducted at the brother school. In 1939, the school song, "Pass on the Torch" was written by Miss Dorothy Peel and music composed by Mr. Woodham. Since then, the school's motto has been "Pass on the Torch." The college has witnessed a rapid expansion since the sixties. It has grown from 2 streams to its present 8 in the Junior Secondary School and 6 in the Senior school. In 1988, the college phased out the Sixth Form programme according to government policy. The college has grown from a modest 20 students in 1927 to its present population of over 2500.

Headgirls

Queen's College comprises seven academic departments, six levels of learning, academic and non-academic staff as well as a female student body.
The seven departments of Humanities, Mathematical and Technological Sciences, Languages Guidance and Counselling, the Natural Sciences, the Social Sciences and Vocational Studies are made up of various subjects, each headed by members of the teaching staff.
The school's education system is based on Nigeria's Policy on Education - the
6-3-3-4 Education System. As a secondary school QC covers the 3-3 portion of the system.

Seventeen subjects are offered in the Junior school. Girls go through a maximum of 13 and a minimum of 12, at least 6 of which they are required to pass.