The Fifth Belgrade "Gimnazija" high school originated from an all-female high school that was founded in 1905 alongside the all-female higher school. 

In 1909 it separated from it and went on under the name First State all-female high-school. It existed up until the school year 1953/1954 when it became a coed school, accepting students from the Second all-male high school. At that time it was renamed to the Fifth Belgrade "Gimnazija".