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 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!
🏈 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!
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!
SHS blazed a new trail tonight with the debut of boys volleyball! Our Vikings hosted Wade Hampton High for the inaugural home game. Congratulations to our players and coaches for making Viking athletics history - we are excited to cheer you on!
Follow all of our teams by downloading the Spartanburg Vikings Athletics app from the App Store or Google Play. Fall sports are in full swing and there is a lot of action to enjoy!
#D7MissionAccepted
#ToInspireAndEquip
Photo credit: Finn McEnroe '27
Mission Accepted.
Tomorrow, the adventure begins...Be sure to tag your first-day photos on social media with #D7firstday so we can include photos from our families in our district slideshow!
#D7MissionAccepted
Save the Date: South Carolina's Tax Free Weekend is August 7–9!
Back-to-school shopping just got a little easier!
South Carolina's Tax Free Weekend begins Friday, August 7, and runs through Sunday, August 9. During this three-day event, you'll pay no state or local sales tax on a variety of eligible back-to-school purchases, including:
• 👕 Clothing and shoes
• 💻 Computers and printers
• ✏️ School supplies
• 🎒 And many other qualifying items
Whether you shop in-store or online, all retailers participate, making this the perfect time to stock up on school essentials while saving money.
Mark your calendars and start your shopping list!
Learn more and view the full list of eligible items on the South Carolina Department of Revenue website:
https://dor.sc.gov/communications/tax-free-weekend
D7 schools and offices will OPEN AT 11 AM on Monday, August 3 so all employees can participate in our annual Opening Convocation.
Thank you for your support and understanding during this special time for our faculty and staff to prepare for the start of our new year!
Thank you for your support and understanding during this special time for our faculty and staff to prepare for the start of our new year!
Today, our school principals, assistant principals, and Superintendent’s Cabinet members came together for a leadership retreat to kick off the new school year. As the sun rose over our transportation department’s beautiful new training facility (which opens next week!), a palpable excitement was in the air. Each year is a new opportunity, a fresh start, a beacon of hope, and an opportunity to grow–not only for our students, but also for our D7 Family of faculty and staff.
Our day included:
• A deep dive into Spartanburg’s growth and development from OneSpartanburg CEO Allen Smith
• A window into the unique perspective and wisdom of three of South Carolina’s strongest school district superintendents through a moderated panel discussion
• A reflection on leading school communities through change and a look at the successes resulting from our new blended schedule model at Spartanburg High School by Dr. Andrew McMillan
• A journey through the results of our recent teacher survey on instructional technology and digital device use across D7, along with several exciting new developments to realign and rebalance our approach to best serve students (look for details coming soon)
• The reveal of our D7 theme for the 2026-2027 school year (STAY TUNED for the public reveal next Monday following our Opening Convocation celebration)
• And much more!
It was a day of fellowship, connection, growth, and recommitting ourselves to District 7’s mission “To inspire and equip our students for lives of leadership and service as world citizens.”
We can’t wait to welcome teachers back later this week and students next week!
Our day included:
• A deep dive into Spartanburg’s growth and development from OneSpartanburg CEO Allen Smith
• A window into the unique perspective and wisdom of three of South Carolina’s strongest school district superintendents through a moderated panel discussion
• A reflection on leading school communities through change and a look at the successes resulting from our new blended schedule model at Spartanburg High School by Dr. Andrew McMillan
• A journey through the results of our recent teacher survey on instructional technology and digital device use across D7, along with several exciting new developments to realign and rebalance our approach to best serve students (look for details coming soon)
• The reveal of our D7 theme for the 2026-2027 school year (STAY TUNED for the public reveal next Monday following our Opening Convocation celebration)
• And much more!
It was a day of fellowship, connection, growth, and recommitting ourselves to District 7’s mission “To inspire and equip our students for lives of leadership and service as world citizens.”
We can’t wait to welcome teachers back later this week and students next week!
District 7 schools and offices will be closed Thursday, July 2 in observance of Independence Day. We hope our D7 family enjoys celebrating our great nation on this special anniversary year!
🇺🇸 Happy 250th birthday, America! 🇺🇸
🇺🇸 Happy 250th birthday, America! 🇺🇸
Kindergarten School Choice and Out-of-District Tuition Applications Now Open
Applications for Kindergarten (5K) School Choice and Out-of-District Tuition students will be accepted July 1–15, 2026.
This year, applications will be accepted for all elementary schools except Drayton Mills.
Please note: This application period is for incoming 5K students only. The School Choice application window for students entering grades 1–12 was held in March.
Complete eligibility information and the online application are available at:
https://www.spartanburg7.org/schoolchoice
🏆 A huge congratulations to Spartanburg High's Riley Vaughn!
Riley has been named the 2025–26 Gatorade South Carolina Girls Track & Field Player of the Year — one of the highest honors in high school athletics!
The prestigious award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also outstanding achievement in the classroom and service to the community.
A dominant force in the throwing events, Riley captured Class 5A Division I State Championships in both the shot put and discus, helping lead the Vikings to a Top 5 finish at the state meet. She also earned All-American honors at Under Armour Nationals and posted one of the nation's top shot put marks this season.
Beyond her accomplishments in competition, Riley has maintained an outstanding 4.94 GPA while giving back through volunteer work in the community, including youth coaching, nursing home visits, school supply drives, food distributions and church outreach.
Congratulations, Riley! Your hard work, leadership and dedication continue to make District 7 and Spartanburg High proud. 💙💛
#GatoradePOY #VikingPride #ToInspireAndEquip
Riley has been named the 2025–26 Gatorade South Carolina Girls Track & Field Player of the Year — one of the highest honors in high school athletics!
The prestigious award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also outstanding achievement in the classroom and service to the community.
A dominant force in the throwing events, Riley captured Class 5A Division I State Championships in both the shot put and discus, helping lead the Vikings to a Top 5 finish at the state meet. She also earned All-American honors at Under Armour Nationals and posted one of the nation's top shot put marks this season.
Beyond her accomplishments in competition, Riley has maintained an outstanding 4.94 GPA while giving back through volunteer work in the community, including youth coaching, nursing home visits, school supply drives, food distributions and church outreach.
Congratulations, Riley! Your hard work, leadership and dedication continue to make District 7 and Spartanburg High proud. 💙💛
#GatoradePOY #VikingPride #ToInspireAndEquip
First Look Inside the NEW Little Vikings Employee Childcare Center
As finishing touches are being made, we’re excited to give our community a first look inside the new District 7 Little Vikings Employee Childcare Center—opening just in time for the new school year! Watch at spartanburg7.org/LittleVikings.
In this preview video, center director Moira Scheel takes you on a tour of our beautiful new facility and shares how the thoughtfully designed curriculum, spaces, and furnishings will support the growth, learning, and well-being of children in our care.
Made possible through the support of our community in the recent referendum, Little Vikings will play a vital role in helping Spartanburg School District 7 recruit and retain outstanding educators. Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is a priority for our community—especially for teachers and staff with young families. We’re proud to take this important step toward supporting them, which in turn will strengthen our schools.
Enrollment is now open for children of District 7 employees, with limited space still available for all age groups from infants through 4K! Learn more and secure your child’s spot at spartanburg7.org/littlevikings.
Take a look inside and see what’s ahead for our Little Vikings!
As finishing touches are being made, we’re excited to give our community a first look inside the new District 7 Little Vikings Employee Childcare Center—opening just in time for the new school year! Watch at spartanburg7.org/LittleVikings.
In this preview video, center director Moira Scheel takes you on a tour of our beautiful new facility and shares how the thoughtfully designed curriculum, spaces, and furnishings will support the growth, learning, and well-being of children in our care.
Made possible through the support of our community in the recent referendum, Little Vikings will play a vital role in helping Spartanburg School District 7 recruit and retain outstanding educators. Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is a priority for our community—especially for teachers and staff with young families. We’re proud to take this important step toward supporting them, which in turn will strengthen our schools.
Enrollment is now open for children of District 7 employees, with limited space still available for all age groups from infants through 4K! Learn more and secure your child’s spot at spartanburg7.org/littlevikings.
Take a look inside and see what’s ahead for our Little Vikings!
The halls may be quiet, but Viking Nation is anything but! 🔥
This week, our youngest Vikings — and the incredible coaches who inspire them — laced up, geared up, cheered loud, and showed up for an action-packed week of summer camps at Spartanburg High School.
From big swings and fast feet to fearless serves, takedowns, tumbles, and plenty of teamwork, our young athletes brought the energy all week long. We wrapped up Lady Vikings Sports Camp, Viking Cheer Camp, Boys and Girls Soccer Camp and Wrestling Camp, and Football Camp — and let's just say, summer got off to a championship-caliber start!
And the action didn't stop there. Across campus, our football and basketball teams have already been hard at work preparing for another exciting year of Viking athletics.
Please enjoy these photos from a fantastic week of camps, smiles, new friendships, skill-building, and plenty of Viking Pride. The school year may be on break, but the Viking spirit never takes a summer vacation! 🏆
💙💛 Viking Pride Forever! 💛💙
This week, our youngest Vikings — and the incredible coaches who inspire them — laced up, geared up, cheered loud, and showed up for an action-packed week of summer camps at Spartanburg High School.
From big swings and fast feet to fearless serves, takedowns, tumbles, and plenty of teamwork, our young athletes brought the energy all week long. We wrapped up Lady Vikings Sports Camp, Viking Cheer Camp, Boys and Girls Soccer Camp and Wrestling Camp, and Football Camp — and let's just say, summer got off to a championship-caliber start!
And the action didn't stop there. Across campus, our football and basketball teams have already been hard at work preparing for another exciting year of Viking athletics.
Please enjoy these photos from a fantastic week of camps, smiles, new friendships, skill-building, and plenty of Viking Pride. The school year may be on break, but the Viking spirit never takes a summer vacation! 🏆
💙💛 Viking Pride Forever! 💛💙
A huge thank you to our incredible substitute teachers and substitute nurses!
Recently, District 7 administrators, our Human Resources team, and Kelley Education hosted a special appreciation luncheon at Spartanburg High School to celebrate the dedicated individuals who step in each day to support our students and schools.
Whether filling a classroom, assisting a student, or providing care when it is needed most, our substitutes make a meaningful difference. Their flexibility, commitment, and willingness to serve help ensure learning continues uninterrupted and students feel supported every day.
District 7 is fortunate to have more than 200 talented substitutes on our team, but we are always looking for caring, dependable individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of children. Substitute teachers earn $125 per day, substitute teacher assistants earn $90 per day, and you have the flexibility to choose the days that work best for your schedule.
Interested in joining Team 7? Learn more and apply at www.spartanburg7.org/substituteteaching. And for all District 7 employment opportunities, visit www.spartanburg7.org/joinourteam.
We love our substitutes, and we would love to welcome you to our team!
FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
District 7 is proud to continue offering free summer meals to support children and families throughout our community. Nutritious meals are available at select school sites and community locations as part of our summer school and enrichment programs.
Meals must be eaten on-site in accordance with federal program guidelines. While some locations serve only students enrolled in specific programs, several community sites are open to all children and youth ages 18 and under.
For a complete list of meal locations, dates, and serving times, visit:
www.spartanburg7.org/summermeals
We are grateful to participate in the USDA Summer Meals Program, helping ensure children have access to healthy meals throughout the summer months. For additional information, please contact the meal site directly.
One last edition. One incredible year. 💙💛
The final 7Headlines of the 2025–2026 school year is here — and it’s packed with moments that made this year unforgettable. From celebrating the Class of 2026 and historic state championships to honoring retirees, welcoming new families, and looking ahead to summer, this edition is a true reflection of what it means to let 7Shines. ✨
Take a few minutes to look back on a remarkable year in District 7 and celebrate the students, staff, families, and community that made it all possible.
Read it here: https://conta.cc/4v1R8vx
Watch the Class of 2026 Commencement livestream here!
We are excited to celebrate our senior class as they become the newest graduates of Spartanburg High School tonight at 7 PM in Viking Stadium. Join us via the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/6YLFAFlztbU?si=R-rdBIBadwlGvMVt
We are excited to celebrate our senior class as they become the newest graduates of Spartanburg High School tonight at 7 PM in Viking Stadium. Join us via the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/6YLFAFlztbU?si=R-rdBIBadwlGvMVt
COMMENCEMENT DATE CHANGE ANNOUNCED:
Wednesday, May 20 at 7 PM
Due to the forecasted rain and thunderstorms expected on Thursday evening, we have made the difficult decision to move our commencement ceremony forward by one day. Graduation will now take place on Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. in Viking Stadium.
This shift will allow our seniors to include nearly twice the number of guests that could be accommodated if we moved inside Viking Arena on Thursday. Additionally, given the forecasted thunderstorms for Thursday evening, a move inside the arena could have still resulted in thousands of guests navigating campus arrival and departure during severe weather conditions, which is much less than ideal.
Our primary goal is to provide the most memorable and celebratory experience possible for our graduating seniors and their families. This decision was made carefully and in consultation with our many partners who support the event, such as Spartanburg Public Safety.
As a reminder, we will live stream the graduation ceremony for those unable to attend. Click the link on our website homepage to watch!
We are proud of the Class of 2026 and are excited to celebrate them on Wednesday evening!
🩺🍎 Happy National School Nurse Day! 🍎🩺
Today we celebrate the incredible nurses of District 7, compassionate caregivers who are always ready for the unexpected. From everyday bumps and bruises to helping schools navigate emerging health concerns like this year’s measles situation, our nurses bring calm, expertise and reassurance to every situation.
They care for our students with kindness, support our staff with compassion, and help create safe, healthy learning environments across D7 each and every day. Their impact is felt far beyond moments of illness or injury. They are trusted faces, steady hands, and caring hearts in our schools, and the way they care for others truly shows how 7Shines each day.
Thank you, D7 nurses, for the countless ways you care for our school community. We are deeply grateful to you today and every day. ❤️
Today we celebrate the incredible nurses of District 7, compassionate caregivers who are always ready for the unexpected. From everyday bumps and bruises to helping schools navigate emerging health concerns like this year’s measles situation, our nurses bring calm, expertise and reassurance to every situation.
They care for our students with kindness, support our staff with compassion, and help create safe, healthy learning environments across D7 each and every day. Their impact is felt far beyond moments of illness or injury. They are trusted faces, steady hands, and caring hearts in our schools, and the way they care for others truly shows how 7Shines each day.
Thank you, D7 nurses, for the countless ways you care for our school community. We are deeply grateful to you today and every day. ❤️
📚✨ Enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year is NOW OPEN for new and returning District 7 students! ✨📚
Returning families, getting ready for the new school year is easy with our simple two-step process:
✅ Step 1: Review and update your student’s information in FinalForms
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/D7FinalForms
✅ Step 2: Submit your annual proof of residency AFTER July 1
(Your child’s school will share summer dates and instructions. Please note: residency documents cannot be submitted electronically.)
📌 Find everything you need to complete enrollment here:
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/2026-2027D7Enroll
FinalForms is our one-stop hub for keeping student records accurate and up to date all year long — making life easier for families and schools alike!
