In addition, the school is renowned for producing several notable Malaysian and Singaporean personalities, including Wong Pow Nee, Karpal Singh, Cecil Rajendra and Hon Sui Sen. Students of the school are colloquially known as Xaverians or Lasallians.

[4][10] The history of St. Xavier's Institution stretches all the way back to 1787, soon after the founding of George Town by Captain Francis Light.

In 1852, three members of the De La Salle Brothers took over the administration of Catholic Free School upon invitation by Jean-Baptiste Boucho.

In 1954, the current school building was completed at a cost of about $2 million (Malaya and British Borneo dollar).

[14][15] His retirement in 2009 marked the end of a long-standing era of La Sallian brother principals in Malaysia.

[16] St Xavier's Institution currently operates two feeder primary schools in the suburbs of George Town.