John Jay was built in 1968 to accommodate the growth of the Wappingers School District. Prior to its construction, Roy C. Ketcham High School was the district's only high school,  away in Wappingers Falls.
In 1968, John Jay High School was constructed to meet the increasing needs of the Wappingers School District. Prior to this, only Roy C. Ketcham High School served as the district's only high school, situated in Wappingers Falls.