The school serves students from the towns of East Lyme and Salem, Connecticut.

East Lyme High School students have been at the center of multiple controversies involving racism.

During homecoming week in 2015, multiple students took part in a mock lynching on school grounds.

[4] As a response, representatives from the Anti-Defamation League were invited to lead a school-wide discussion on diversity.

[6] In 2016, a new co-op agreement between East Lyme and Salem was adopted such that Salem students can continue to attend East Lyme High School through June 2039.