The Giurgiu City Council decided to open a gymnasium in 1868, and work soon began on a building. Ready in little over a year, the school opened in November 1869. It had eighteen pupils taught by two teachers. Nicolae Droc Barcian joined the faculty in 1870, rising to principal in 1873 and becoming a prominent local figure. In 1890, Upon his suggestion, the school was named after 1848 revolutionary and education reformer Ion Maiorescu. The current school building was started in 1895 and completed the following year. During World War I, between 1916 and 1918, the school was closed, with teachers protesting its occupation by German troops.