To avoid confusion with the Sadiki College, it took the name of Lycée de Tunis by virtue of the beylical decree of September 29, 1893.

In 1894, the Council of Ministers gave it the name of Sadi Carnot to honor the assassinated President of the French Republic.

During the Second World War, the school was requisitioned first by the Kommandantur of the German army Wehrmacht and then, in 1943, by Allied forces.

In 1961, due to the Bizerte crisis, the start of the new school year did not take place until the first half of November in French establishments.

To cope with the increase in staff, annexes were built in Carthage, Salammbô, Mutuelleville (1956) and La Marsa (1960).