[9] This group of educationalists and parents established the organisation with the stated aim: "To develop and support in Ireland the establishment of schools which are multi-denominational (i.e. with equal right of access for the children of Catholic, Protestant and other parents, and with the cultural and social background of each child held in equal respect), co-educational and managed under a system which is predominantly democratic in character, wherever and whenever there is viable local support for such a school".

The organisers of the school met opposition from a conservative Catholic group that circulated a leaflet in the Dalkey area alleging that the new school was "atheistic", "divisive", "hostile to religion" and "a precedent for major trouble in other areas".

[10] As of 2016, the majority of primary schools in Ireland were owned by religious communities (or boards of governors).

[16] Educate Together schools seek to "guarantee equality of access and esteem" to children irrespective of their social, cultural or religious background.

[5] These second-level schools aim not to 'teach to the test' but to instead develop their students' skills in creative and critical thinking, communication, teamwork, research and leadership.

Educate Together is also joint patron of Kisshoe Community School in Lucan and Ballymakenny College in Drogheda.

It opened Celbridge Community School in August 2015 with Kildare and Wicklow Educational Training Board.