Spartanburg School District 7

09/15/2026

💻 Powering the Mission: Celebrating Our IT Professionals

Today is IT Professionals Day, and in District 7, there’s a remarkable team behind the technology that helps power teaching, learning and connection across our schools every single day.

Led by Director of Technology David Beyer, our Technology Team supports a district where every student in grades 3–12 and our staff members are equipped with MacBooks, while our youngest learners in K–2 learn and create with iPads. And that’s just what we see.

Behind every device is an incredible amount of work — networks to maintain, systems to secure, accounts to manage, updates to deploy, problems to solve and countless calls for help that usually begin with some version of, “My computer isn’t working…” 😄

And through it all, this team keeps District 7 connected and moving forward.

Today we celebrate David Beyer, Celia Cooksey, Michael Crews, Monica Gaffney, Wanda Greenfield, Eric Mathison, Jerry Paul, Roy Smith, Braelyn Stickley and Matthew White for the expertise, patience and behind-the-scenes work they bring to our schools every day.

Technology is an essential tool in our mission to inspire and equip our students for meaningful lives of leadership and service and this team makes sure those tools are ready when our students and staff need them.

To our IT professionals: Mission Accepted. Mission powered. And a job very well done. 💻⚡️

Thank you for keeping D7 connected, equipped and ready for what’s next!

09/10/2026

SHS STUDENTS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced its 2027 Semifinalists, and two outstanding Spartanburg High School seniors have earned this prestigious distinction.

This year, we proudly celebrate Finnegan McEnroe and Joseph Nichols. They are among more than 16,000 students nationwide, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school graduating seniors, who have been named Semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

These academically talented students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for about 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $24 million that will be offered next spring. Awards include National Merit $2,500 scholarships, corporate-sponsored scholarships, and college-sponsored scholarships. About 95% of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. Recipients are selected based on their abilities, skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

For the 2027 competition, approximately 1.3 million students entered after taking the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2025 and meeting program requirements.

“Finn and Joseph represent the very best of what a District 7 education can inspire,” said Spartanburg High School Principal Dr. Andrew McMillan. “Their success is a reflection of their curiosity, perseverance, and willingness to embrace opportunities along the way, as well as the teachers and staff who have encouraged and challenged them throughout their journey. We are proud to celebrate what they have accomplished and even more excited to see how they will make a difference in the future.”

District 7 is proud to inspire and equip students to pursue their goals, embrace new challenges, and lead with purpose. Our students’ accomplishments are a testament to the support of our entire D7 Family. MISSION ACCEPTED!

09/05/2026

We saw loads of garnet and orange (of course), and also lots of Carolina blue, LSU purple and gold, Georgia red, Coastal Carolina teal, Wofford black and gold, Duke blue, Tennessee orange, SC State garnet and blue, USC Upstate green, SMC blue, Wake Forest gold and black, and MORE! There are many pathways that lead to bright futures for our students, and whatever they dream, our mission is to help them get there.

College Colors Day 2026 was great fun in every D7 school - just look at all these smiles and the endless possibilities! Thank you to our school administrators, teachers and staff, and our PTOs for making the day truly special.

MISSION ACCEPTED!

09/04/2026

Let’s GOOOO! 🏈🏈🏈

09/03/2026

TOMORROW (Friday) is National College Colors Day - all D7 students, teachers and staff wear your favorite college shirts, jerseys, or colors! 🎉

This special day is all about celebrating pride, traditions, and excitement while sparking meaningful conversations about college and career aspirations. With our first home football game happening this week, it s also a fantastic way to fuel enthusiasm for football season!

As we live out our mission to Inspire and Equip, College Colors Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire our students and brighten our community with school spirit.

Mission Accepted!

09/03/2026

Watch the THREE live interview segments featuring our very own Payten Shell '27, Spartanburg High School student body president and president of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils, and SHS teacher Kiley Painter on Fox Carolina News Wednesday morning!

Payten is an outstanding leader and role model for our students. During her interviews, she highlighted one of SHS Student Council’s exciting new initiatives: hosting a "block party" at SHS for Carver Middle School and McCracken Middle School students and families following their annual rival football game at Viking Stadium this fall. The goal is to help bridge the transition from middle to high school by creating a welcoming, connected environment for students and families before they officially become part of the SHS community.

This year also marks a special milestone: It has been 30 years since a SHS student served as president of our state organization. The last Viking to hold that title was current District 7 School Board member Griffin Littlejohn Lynch. And in a true full-circle moment, Mrs. Lynch will introduce Payten at the statewide rally hosted at SHS this coming spring!

D7 is deeply dedicated to investing in the next generation of leaders. We are proud to see our students step up to lead — and equally proud when our alumni return to Spartanburg to lead, serve, and reinvest in future generations of students.

Through-and-through, our commitment is to inspire and equip students for lives of leadership and service as world citizens.

MISSION ACCEPTED!

A new school year brings new goals, but for one Spartanburg High School student, it also means fulfilling promises made on the campaign trail.

09/02/2026

🏈 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO | VIKING STADIUM 🏈

It’s GAME TIME, Viking Nation!

The wait is over! Spartanburg Vikings Football returns to Viking Stadium THIS FRIDAY, September 4, as the Vikings take on Dutch Fork! Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Before you head to the stadium, take a minute to review these important game day reminders:
🎟️ ONLINE TICKETS: $9 (includes processing fee)
Online sales end at 8:30 p.m. or when tickets sell out.
Purchase tickets here (https://www.hubcitylocker.com/vikings)

🎟️ AT THE GATE: $10 — cash or credit card
Children 5 and under: Free
District 7 employees: Free with valid employee ID

🏟️ STADIUM REMINDERS
• Clear bag policy and security screening are in effect.
• Elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult throughout the game and may not be dropped off or left unattended.
• SHS students should bring their school ID.
• Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
• Come early and allow extra time for parking and security screening.

📍 Parking maps, entrances, clear bag information, security protocols and complete Viking Stadium guidelines:
Viking Stadium Game Day Information (https://www.spartanburg7.org/page/viking-stadium-football-schedule)

📻 Can’t make it to the stadium? Listen live on Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM and catch the postgame breakdown on Spartanburg Sports Radio.

Let’s PACK Viking Stadium for our first home game of the season and give our Vikings a home-field advantage! ⚔️
Mission Accepted. Let’s Go, Vikings!

09/02/2026

LIVE NOW (Wednesday at 7, 8, and 9) on FOX Carolina newscasts:

Watch SHS senior Payten Shell and teacher Kiley Painter talk about how student leadership is different at SHS!

Payten is president of the S.C. Association of Student Councils and SHS is proud of I host the state convention in spring 2027.

09/01/2026

🌟 GOOD NEWS IN D7 | Maximum Achievement! 🌟

We kicked off the first Good News recognition of the school year at tonight’s Board of Trustees meeting by celebrating an incredible group of District 7 scholars who truly understood the assignment — Mission Accepted!

During the 2025–2026 school year, 32 District 7 students across our elementary and middle schools earned the maximum possible score on one or more SC READY assessments in English Language Arts, Mathematics or Science. Even more impressive, four students earned maximum scores on TWO assessments, bringing District 7’s total to 36 maximum-score tests!

Reaching the maximum score is an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects tremendous hard work, focus and commitment to learning. We are so proud of these students and grateful for the teachers, families and school communities who encourage and support them every step of the way.

What a way to begin our Good News celebrations for 2026–2027! Mission accepted. Maximum achieved. ⭐

Please join us in congratulating our SC READY Maximum Scorers! 👏

08/31/2026

A new school year. A new mission. And so much already happening across District 7!

The first 7Headlines of the 2026–2027 school year is here — and we’re kicking things off with a l...