The school draws students from the city of Colton, as well as Grand Terrace and a small section of San Bernardino.

The school is identified as a national AVID demonstration school, and was named a 2011 AP District of the Year in the midsize category by the College Board.

Out of 1240 high schools in California, Colton ranks 1139 placing it in lowest 10%.

In the 2010 Fall football season, the Yellowjackets won the CIF Championship, the first time since 1979.

In 2022, 12 former Colton High School football players, including Shareece Wright, sued the Colton Joint Unified School District and former athletic trainer Tiffany Strauss-Gordon for sexual assault.