[1] The school's current role of Principal is held by Jackson Dodd.

The school also consists of more than 110 other staff members including four Deputy Principals, one Business Manager, one Guidance Officer, one School Chaplain, 12 Heads of Department and 98 teaching staff.

[2][3] James Nash State High School officially opened on 24 January 1977[4] and was named in honour of James Nash (5 September 1834 – 5 October 1913), who discovered the Gympie Goldfield on 16 October 1867.

In 2013, James Nash State High School received a Queensland Showcase Award for Excellence in Education.

[1] James Nash State High School includes the following four sporting houses, all of which are named in reference to gold mines worked on the Gympie Goldfield, with their respective colours:[5] Inter-school sports competitions are available for AFL, Hockey, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Soccer.