Down High School is a controlled co-educational Grammar School. The school is run by a Board of Governors, responsible to the Education Authority for the organisation of the school, the appointment of staff and the welfare of the pupils.

School numbers have risen substantially over recent years. Currently the school has over 975 pupils, over 300 of whom are in the expanded 6th Form.

The situation of the school is convenient to many town and country bus routes and pupils are drawn from a large area of County Down.

The school building has evolved since its opening in 1933, with the addition of a number of new facilities to improve teaching and learning. Built in 1997, the Fowweather Building provides excellent facilities for Science and Technology. The school benefits from the building of a new library, a gymnasium, changing accommodation and extra teaching space. A modern ICT suite heralded a new era for the school, enabling pupils across all subject areas to avail of the opportunities afforded by modern technologies. Our fitness suite, commanding excellent views over the local countryside, is the envy of many.