St. Francis Xavier High School opened in 1997 after only a few months of planning.

It opened just months after the announced closing of Sumter Catholic High School in 1997.

This was used to purchase the building it now occupies at 15 School Street in Sumter, and for significant renovations of the heat and air conditioning system.

In 2020, due to declining enrollment SFXHS closed and Cardinal Newman High School (Columbia, South Carolina) took the remaining students.

The Padres won the class A SCISA basketball state championship for the 2001-2002 season.