Founded as Cookstown Academy in 1806 by Rev Thomas Miller Senior the school has been through numerous transformations in the centuries since then.

Today's school has retained its academic tradition and focus while also providing vocational pathways to ensure that all pupils are able to access the curriculum.

This site is one of the largest in Northern Ireland[citation needed] and is dominated by a large nineteenth-century gentleman's residence named Coolnafranky House.

The house is a listed building and provides accommodation for Sixth Form study, the school nurse, a kitchen and numerous meeting rooms.

In addition to numerous tennis courts it also contains the two artificial turf pitches used by the school and by Cookstown Hockey Club.

Sports offered at the school include football, netball, hockey, rugby union, cross-country running and athletics.

[citation needed] In 2007–2008, the boy's first team won the All Ireland Schoolboys Hockey Championship when they defeated the holders Banbridge Academy by four goals to two in the final.

Prize Day is a tradition within the school where those pupils, who have excelled in their studies, are formally congratulated and rewarded on their successes.

It was designed by local artist Mr George Gourley a past pupil and former Head of Art at the school.

The Spring Concert is usually held close to Easter and offers an opportunity for pupils involved in music to showcase their talent across a range of genres.

At this event senior staff present awards that have been won for pupil achievement and update the school community on the progress of the house competition.