The school is named after Captain James Cook, who was the first recorded European to contact the eastern coastline of Australia.

James Cook Boys Technology High School was founded in 1956 after Moorefield racecourse was demolished.

Queen Elizabeth II visited the school on 29 April 1970, the bicentennial year of James Cook's arrival in Australia, along with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Anne, Princess Royal.

The decision followed extensive consultations in 2023 with the local community, revealing strong support for co-educational options, particularly among parents of primary school children.

[1] The new school will cater to students from Years 7 to 12 and aims to provide a broader range of subjects and extracurricular opportunities.