[1][2] The school operates the usual courses for the Junior Certificate, Transition Year and Leaving Certificate with the subjects: Religion, Gaeilge, English, Maths, History, Geography, French, Science, Physical Education, Music, Accounting, German, Business Studies, Art, Home Economics – Social & Scientific, Music, Applied Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.

The school was a foundation from the earlier Ursuline Convent in Blackrock, Cork at the request of Bishop O’Callaghan.

The first student was Mary Ryan, later the first woman university professor in Ireland or Great Britain.

[1][4] St. Joseph's, a single storey building on the grounds was added to as it was intended to serve the third level section of the school.

Other courses which were provided for the older students post secondary school were around Teacher Training, Secretarial Skills and Home Economics.