Recently, the school developed "The High School University of Cranford," a program that provides additional opportunities for those who wish to extend their education without having to place in the top portion of the class based on class rank formulated from GPA calculation (though it tends to best suit high-achieving students with top grades).

[18] The Cranford High School Cougars[2] compete in the Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, which is comprised of public and private high schools in Union County and was established following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).

The Blue-and-Gold eleven shared the sectional title with the former Clifford Scott High School of East Orange in 1952.

In the playoff era, the team won the North II Group III state sectional championship in 2011 and 2015.

[29][30] The 2015 team won the program's second North II Group III playoff title with a 50–23 win against Chatham High School in the tournament final, finishing the season with 12–0 record.

[31] Since 2005, Cranford High School football has been led by coach Erik Rosenmeier, who played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills.

[34] The baseball team won the 2003 North II, Group III sectional championship, edging Millburn High School in the tournament final.

[35] The 2007 team won the North II, Group III state sectional championship, edging West Morris Central High School, by a score of 5–4.

[37] In 2012, the team outscored Freehold High School by a score of 4–1 in the Group III championship game.

[41] The field hockey team won the North II Group III state sectional championship in 1985 and 1986.

[42] The wrestling team won the North II Group III state sectional title in 1985, 1986 and 2017.

[46] The girls' volleyball team won the Group II state championship in 2008, defeating Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest in the final match of the playoff tournament.