Silver Bluff High School groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 26, 1979.  The ceremony was the culmination of years of discussion and plans for a consolidated high school for the Beech Island, Jackson, and New Ellenton areas.  On July 12, 1977, the Site Committee was appointed, and on December 13, 1977, the 139.1-acre was chosen.

On May 8, 1979, the name Silver Bluff was given to the new facility.  Silver Bluff was chosen because of its proximity to the historic Silver Bluff on the Savannah River, where DeSoto was reported to have landed.  The Indians named the area Silver Bluff because of the particles of mica in the soil, which gave the bluff a silver appearance.  The doors of Silver Bluff High School opened to students in the fall of 1981.  The official dedication of the $6,258,602 structure was held on February 22, 1981.