Beginning in 1913 and upon the initiative of principal Ion Tohăneanu, the school hosted a "people's university" that involved political, cultural, scientific and literary figures delivering lectures open to the public.

Faculty members were involved in organizing these activities, while the publications were largely written by students, including future art critic Nicolae Argintescu-Amza [ro].

In 1926, a dormitory for rural pupils was completed under the initiative of Tohăneanu, whose other projects included a new classroom wing, an amphitheater and sport facilities for gymnastics, swimming and shooting.

[1] In World War II, the school headquarters again functioned as a hospital and teachers were sent to fight; many pupils took refuge in surrounding villages, while relatively few continued their studies.

Around this time, the school became renowned for its mathematics program, and its students became passionate participants in national olympiads, with some of them going on to Balkan and Europe-wide competitions.