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In February of 1997, a small group of parents from St. Anne, St. Jude and Our Lady of the Skies Parishes began the process of opening a new high school, "Catholic in tradition, independent of the Diocese, excellent in academics and competitive in athletics." Larry Watt, executive secretary of the South Carolina Independent Schools Association, who helped the school’s steering committee get organized said, "There is no obstacle these people aren’t going to be able to overcome." In less than seventy-two hours [after the announcement of The Sumter Catholic High School closing] they were further along than some people have been after working for six months" (The Item, February 17, 1997). The administration, faculty, parents, and friends of the school significantly upgraded an old elementary school, built a computer lab, science lab, a 7,000 volume library, and the necessary infrastructure for a very credible program.St. Francis Xavier High School opened its doors on August 19, 1997 with thirty-two students. and graduated five students in June 1998. The enrollment for 2002 was fifty and it will graduate 9 students June 2007. Its budget has been balanced since the day of their founding and its financial position is strong.
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