Zapatera National High School with school ID 303156 was opened in 1995 through the efforts of city councilor Hon. Augustus Joy C. Young. He is instrumental in the creation of the school. It was his dream to provide working students and out of school youth (OSY) to come to school by attending night classes. Zapatera National High School initially operated with incomplete secondary education offerings composed of 208 first year and 82 second year students. There well 11 teachers and volunteer tanods who served as guards and utility workers. It was headed by Dr. Emiliano B. Elnar. All the teaching and non-teaching personnel were paid by the Local Government Unit of Cebu City during its few years of operation.

The school initially used the old elementary building as its classroom. In the following years, it has acquired several classrooms. To meet the needs of the Senior High School Program, a four-storey twenty (20) classroom building is being structured. It is being expected within the year