Olathe East is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and offers a variety of sports programs.

Extracurricular activities are also offered in the form of performing arts, school publications, and clubs.

The school opened in the fall of 1992 in order to help educate the rapidly increasing population of Olathe.

[citation needed] Olathe East was recognized as a National School of Excellence in 1998 by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Blue Ribbon Award recognizes public and private schools which perform at high levels or have made significant academic improvements.