It was established in 1868 and is named after Captain General Gerardo Barrios who served as President of El Salvador from 1859 to 1863.

[4][5][6] The name of the school was officially changed to the Captain General Gerardo Barrios Military School, after the President of El Salvador from 1859 to 1863, on 28 January 1927 by a presidential decree ordered by President Pío Romero Bosque.

[4][7] The name was again solidified by another presidential decree on 25 August 1965 by President General Julio Adalberto Rivera Carballo.

[9] On 30 November 2018, the Star of Captain General Gerardo Barrios was established and was awarded to military officers who graduate from the school.

"[11] The Captain General Gerardo Barrios Military School was demolished in June 2022 to make way for the construction of the National Stadium of El Salvador.