It bears the name of Ion Luca Caragiale, one of the greatest playwrights and writers in Romanian literature.

First located at 46 Calea Rahovei, the school was intended for the practical training of future teachers and professors;[1][4] its first director was Francudi Epaminonda.

In 1898, the school was renamed the Application Gymnasium (affiliated with the University Pedagogical Seminary), and its director became Constantin Dimitrescu-Iași, who held this position until 1920, when he was replaced by Ion A. Rădulescu-Pogoneanu.

[1] The plot on Calea Dorobanți was purchased in 1921, and the first floor of the present building was completed in January 1929.

[6] At the 2024 evaluation of all Romanian secondary schools, the Ion Luca Caragiale National College came in 10th place, with a score of 9.46/10.