The location was designated for a school in the late 1920s, but because of the Great Depression and Second World War, construction did not begin until 1949.

Gladstone's Fine Arts department is also highly regarded, with especially strong Music, Drama, and Dance programs.

[3] Gladstone is a participant in the Think & Eat Green @ School program, designed to enrich student knowledge of sustainable food practices.

[4] Gladstone has a diverse array of academic courses and programs that provide students with a range of educational options for them to pursue.

Gladstone Secondary School operates on a linear timetable on semester rotation, from September to December and January to June.