Secondary education began in Tulla in 1950, when 38 students enrolled in the Sisters of Mercy school behind the church.

Due to expanding enrolment as a result of free second-level education it was decided to move to a new location in 1970 at Fogarty's Cross.

In April 2016, the new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Strand 4 building opened and was occupied for the first time.

[2] The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, TD, officially opened the school on 22 September 2016.

The curriculum offered at St Joseph's Secondary School includes: