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.
John Jay High School was built in 1968 to accommodate the expansion of the Wappingers School District. Before its construction, Roy C. Ketcham High School served as the district's sole high school, located in Wappingers Falls.