Established in 1957 and operated by the New South Wales Department of Education, the school has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 1,260 students from Years 7 to 12.

In fact, it was not Bessie Mitchell as some think, who decided the uniforms should be pink dresses; it was the Vicars family who previously owned the land.

The majority of students, staff and parents travel to Circular Quay station in a special train reserved for this occasion (the "Cheltenham Express").

At this Presentation Day, students sing Handel's 'Hallelujah' chorus and a chosen other song (such as Pharrell Williams' 'Happy') as an ensemble.

This performance requires several lessons' worth of time to practice as a school and has been conducted on Zoom meetings in recent years or through lipsyncing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cheltenham Girls' High School is registered and accredited with the New South Wales Board of Studies, and therefore follows the mandated curriculum for all years.

The school also offers two accelerated course for selected students, the subject are IPT, and Aboriginal Studies.

Transport prefects are elected from year 11 and support the safety, welfare and conduct of each student as she travels to and from school.