It combined the students of five other high schools in the county: Gainesboro, Gore, Stonewall, Stephens City, and Middletown.

Since the opening of the school in 1950, the Colonels have earned five state championships; boys' cross country (1968), football (1970), boys' cross country (2002), girls' doubles tennis (2008 and 2009), and volleyball (2022 and 2023), as well as state runner-up titles and regional championships in various sports.

[citation needed] Running back Brock Lockhart was named All-State Honorable Mention in 2009 with 2,016 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

The Virginia Honor Band recognition and award was the result of a project and survey assigned to Vincent Tornello (Charlottesville Rig School) in the spring of 1979 by incoming Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association President Daniel Schoemmell (James Wood High School).

[citation needed] The survey was in conjunction with the establishment of a state marching band festival.