Many Jesuit missionaries who left China in 1949 found a new home and mission in the overseas Chinese community of the Philippines. Eventually, through sheer determination, perseverance, and faith, an international group of Jesuits led by the late Frs. Jean Desautels, Louis Papilla, and Cornelius Pineau set up Xavier School (Kuang Chi).

The San Fernando High School, the given name of La Union High School when it opened its doors on January 19, 1903 to fifty-five students, was the first secondary school established in La Union during the administration of Senor Joaquin Ortega, the first civil governor of the province. Classes then were held in buildings made of stones.

The Cavite High School was founded on June 19, 1902 at Garita, San Roque, Cavite. It opened its doors to thirty students on July 1, 1902. Mr. Sidney K. Mitchell, a Thomasite teacher stationed in Cavite, was the first school principal. The enrolment reached two hundred forty in the school year 1904-05. In 1906, the school was transferred to P. Gomez St., which is the present site of the Dra. Olivia Salamanca Hospital. Again, in June of 1928, Cavite High School moved to the district of La Caridad preparatory to the acquisition of its permanent site.

On March 1, 1901, the Philippine Commission authorized provincial boards of all provinces in the Philippines to provide funds from their own resources for the establishment of secondary schools through the passage of Act No. 372.