Coolmine Community School was one of the first two community schools founded in the Republic of Ireland in 1972. The school was officially blessed and opened in 1974.

This Community School (and the subsequent 84 others opened since 1972), was established by the State after considerable discussion between the local Parents Committee, the Department of Education, the VEC and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin, with a view to integrating the traditional academic / classical approach of the Secondary Schools with the vocational / industrial tradition of the Vocational Schools.

In the spirit of mutual consideration, courtesy and Christian charity, the partners can build a cohesive community of well-educated young people, prepared to face life in the Christian confidence that the values which they have developed and the skills and knowledge which they have acquired, equip them to build a secure future. 

The Board of Management & Staff understand that students are sent to Coolmine by their Parents to learn and to grow in "grace and wisdom". Parents expect the School, through its Management and Staff, to create the atmosphere of peace and security which permits students and teachers to arrive at the best achievement possible, whether academic, recreational, disciplinary, moral or social. To complement this, the School expects each family, and the community at large, to support it in pursuit of these aims.