Rockhampton State High School was opened in 1919 and moved to its present site near the Rockhampton Showgrounds in 1960. It is one of the three state high schools in the provincial city of Rockhampton and provides compulsory and post-compulsory secondary education programs to a student population of more than 1000 students.
As the school is the only state secondary facility on the southern side of the city, it draws its student population from families of diverse economic and vocational backgrounds. The diversity includes nearby Gracemere which has seen urban development along with semi-rural properties and small farming communities extending to Gogango in the west and to Bajool and Marmor in the south. More than 600 students rely on bus transport.
Approximately twelve per cent of students are Indigenous and the local clan is the Darumbal people. The school has strong partnerships with the local Indigenous organisations.
Rockhampton State High connects with the primary schools on the southern side of town which include: The Hall, Marmor, Allenstown, Crescent Lagoon, Bajool, Gracemere and Waraburra. There are strong connections based on shared learning programs and resources and joint professional development activities.