The School is located at Avenida Dr. Manuel Gaspar de Lemos, parish of St. Julian, a school and residential area in the northeast of the city. It involves a green area - Parque das Abbeys and the Forest of Santa Catarina.

The school came into operation on 25 October 1968 with the appointment of Preparatory School João de Barros. Its patron is a renowned figueirense who excelled in teaching, in letters, in politics and journalism.

Until 1972/73, when it is transferred to the existing facilities, the Preparatory School was installed in Artillery 2nd Street, in the old Lyceum of the city, as well as the old Figueirense Academy in Dr. Santos Rocha Street.

Since the academic year 1994/95, it works with the 2nd and 3rd cycles, decided by Ordinance No. 495/95, of 24 May, which determines the extinction of the Preparatory School João de Barros, creating the School of the 2nd and 3rd cycles João de Barros, from September 1, 1995.

From 1 September 2003 the school has become up to host the Group of Schools of Urban Zone of Figueira da Foz.