Cessnock High School was established on its present site in 1937.

It is the traditional high school of the City of Cessnock. It is one of two public high schools in this city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales about 50 kilometres south west of Newcastle.

Students from five public schools attend Cessnock High School - Cessnock, Cessnock East, Abermain, Kearsley and Kitchener. The school caters for the learning needs of 600 students in appropriately sized classes on a large site.

The school motto is 'What e're you do, do well' which reflects the strong work ethic of our traditional mining community. Cessnock High School is an innovative learning community.