Established in 1867, the school's early years were marked by a lack of faculty, a permanent building and teaching material.
This was changed to Prince Ferdinand High School when a new grade was added in 1897.
It was known as Ferdinand I High School from 1914, when its namesake acceded to the Romanian throne, until 1948, when the Communist regime changed the name.
[1] Former faculty include Garabet Ibrăileanu, Dimitrie D. Pătrășcanu, Gheorghe Dima [ro], Vasile Pârvan, and Grigore H. Grandea.
The old school building is listed as a historic monument by Romania's Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs.