Constructed by Shapell Industries of California and Windemere Ranch Partners BLC, Dougherty was the first developer-built school in the SRVUSD.

Dougherty's nickname is the Wildcats, and its school colors are navy, Columbia blue, and silver.

[3] Shapell was obligated through a December 1988 agreement with the SRVUSD to "contribute its fair share of the cost of additional high school space needed to serve students generated by the project," with the project mentioned being the construction of 11,000 houses in the area.

Wong received $500 for her design and was honored alongside the contest's runners-up at a school board meeting.

The first phase, which involved site grading, utilities, and paving, commenced in May 2005 and was completed by January 2006; the second phase, which involved constructing buildings, landscaping and creation of ball fields, commenced in February 2006 and was completed by August 2007.

[18] The expenses of construction were shared between Windemere BLC, Shapell, the school district, and the city of San Ramon.

Elaine O'Hanlon, founding president of the Dougherty Parent-Teacher Association, said that parent volunteering would be encouraged at the new school.

All permanent teachers were rehired with the help of a $144 per-parcel tax measure passed in May 2009, expected to raise $6.7 million yearly.

[20] During the 2009 flu pandemic in the United States, one tenth grade student at Dougherty was known to have been infected with the Influenza A/H1N1 virus; however, closure of the school did not occur, as it was found to be unnecessary and inconvenient.

[22] In the summer of 2011, SunPower began construction and installation of solar panels in the school parking lot.

[27] Nestled in the culturally integrated Windemere development,[28] Dougherty consists of students from many different backgrounds and is the most diverse in the district.

[citation needed] Dougherty occupies approximately 54 acres (220,000 m2) of land and can accommodate up to 2,200 students.

Space has been left open to potentially expand the campus in the future, which would allow for 200 more students to attend.

[6] The campus is home to the area's 11,222 square feet (1,042.6 m2) venture independent study school.

[6][38] In addition to school productions and concerts, alternative rock band Gin Blossoms, stand-up comedian Caroline Rhea, and others have put on shows at the performing arts center.

The Dougherty Valley Athletic Department offers several sports, including cross country, football, golf, tennis, water polo, volleyball, cheerleading, basketball, soccer, wrestling, baseball, lacrosse, softball, swimming, diving, badminton, and track and field.

Sullenberger and his wife, both residents of San Ramon, decided with CBS to grant his first interview to a student journalist,[47] and Dougherty was attended by one of their daughters.