🏆 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!
🍎✨ It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! ✨🍎
Join us in celebrating the incredible educators of District 7 who inspire, support, and shape the future every single day. 💙💛
We invite our entire community to take a moment this week to share your gratitude. Whether it’s a kind note, a favorite memory, or a simple “thank you,” your words mean more than you know.
🎉 Let’s come together to recognize the District 7 teachers who help our students SHINE. Tag a teacher, share your story, or drop a message of appreciation below! 🎉
Join us in celebrating the incredible educators of District 7 who inspire, support, and shape the future every single day. 💙💛
We invite our entire community to take a moment this week to share your gratitude. Whether it’s a kind note, a favorite memory, or a simple “thank you,” your words mean more than you know.
🎉 Let’s come together to recognize the District 7 teachers who help our students SHINE. Tag a teacher, share your story, or drop a message of appreciation below! 🎉
Sometimes the most powerful lessons happen when no one is expecting them.
During a recent CPR-BLS certification training for Spartanburg High School students, a simple scheduling hiccup turned into a meaningful moment that perfectly reflects the spirit of District 7.
As part of SHS’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, students in biomedical and health science pathways, led by educators including Dr. Rebecca Gentry (pictured), have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications. This year alone, students have trained in Stop the Bleed, OSHA, HIPAA, and CPR-BLS, with more than 70 students earning CPR-BLS certification over two days at the Beaumont Education Center.
On the first day of training, the group found themselves with an uneven number of participants, leaving one student without a partner.
That’s when Mr. Smith, a District 7 bus driver, stepped in.
Without hesitation, he joined the training, not only helping a student complete the hands-on requirement, but also fully participating in the course and earning his own CPR-BLS certification.
What began as a small act of kindness quickly became something more. Mr. Smith shared how eye-opening the experience was, reflecting on how valuable the training would be not only in his role as a bus driver, but also within his church community and everyday life. He even encouraged others to seek out similar opportunities, recognizing the life-saving impact these skills can have.
Moments like this are what make District 7 special. They are a reminder that in D7, everyone is part of the team. Whether in the classroom, on a bus, or in the community, there is a shared commitment to step up, support one another, and make a difference.
It’s a perfect example of how 7Shines, through collaboration, compassion, and a willingness to go above and beyond for students.
During a recent CPR-BLS certification training for Spartanburg High School students, a simple scheduling hiccup turned into a meaningful moment that perfectly reflects the spirit of District 7.
As part of SHS’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, students in biomedical and health science pathways, led by educators including Dr. Rebecca Gentry (pictured), have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications. This year alone, students have trained in Stop the Bleed, OSHA, HIPAA, and CPR-BLS, with more than 70 students earning CPR-BLS certification over two days at the Beaumont Education Center.
On the first day of training, the group found themselves with an uneven number of participants, leaving one student without a partner.
That’s when Mr. Smith, a District 7 bus driver, stepped in.
Without hesitation, he joined the training, not only helping a student complete the hands-on requirement, but also fully participating in the course and earning his own CPR-BLS certification.
What began as a small act of kindness quickly became something more. Mr. Smith shared how eye-opening the experience was, reflecting on how valuable the training would be not only in his role as a bus driver, but also within his church community and everyday life. He even encouraged others to seek out similar opportunities, recognizing the life-saving impact these skills can have.
Moments like this are what make District 7 special. They are a reminder that in D7, everyone is part of the team. Whether in the classroom, on a bus, or in the community, there is a shared commitment to step up, support one another, and make a difference.
It’s a perfect example of how 7Shines, through collaboration, compassion, and a willingness to go above and beyond for students.
✨ There’s so much to celebrate across Spartanburg School District 7! ✨
From the unforgettable magic of The Wizard of Oz and celebrations honoring the Class of 2026 to inspiring student achievements, career exploration experiences, and moments of teamwork and kindness that define our schools — this edition of 7Headlines is filled with stories that showcase the heart of D7.
You’ll also find enrollment information for the 2026–2027 school year, highlights from across our campuses, and the many ways our students, staff, and community continue to shine together each day. 💙
Take a moment to catch up on the latest stories from across District 7.
📬 Read the full April 2026 edition of 7Headlines:
https://tinyurl.com/7HeadlinesApr2026
#7Shines
From the unforgettable magic of The Wizard of Oz and celebrations honoring the Class of 2026 to inspiring student achievements, career exploration experiences, and moments of teamwork and kindness that define our schools — this edition of 7Headlines is filled with stories that showcase the heart of D7.
You’ll also find enrollment information for the 2026–2027 school year, highlights from across our campuses, and the many ways our students, staff, and community continue to shine together each day. 💙
Take a moment to catch up on the latest stories from across District 7.
📬 Read the full April 2026 edition of 7Headlines:
https://tinyurl.com/7HeadlinesApr2026
#7Shines
✨ Happy Administrative Professionals Day ✨
Today, we celebrated the stars who keep District 7 shining, rolling out the red carpet for our District Office team as a small way to say thank you for all they do. ⭐
While this group took center stage today, they represent something much bigger, the incredible administrative professionals across every school and office in District 7. From the front desk to the countless details handled behind the scenes, you are the heartbeat of our district, bringing organization, care, and excellence to every single day.
To our school secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and support staff across D7, this celebration is for all of you. We see you, we appreciate you, and we are so grateful for the role you play in helping District 7 shine. ✨
#7Shines
Today, we celebrated the stars who keep District 7 shining, rolling out the red carpet for our District Office team as a small way to say thank you for all they do. ⭐
While this group took center stage today, they represent something much bigger, the incredible administrative professionals across every school and office in District 7. From the front desk to the countless details handled behind the scenes, you are the heartbeat of our district, bringing organization, care, and excellence to every single day.
To our school secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and support staff across D7, this celebration is for all of you. We see you, we appreciate you, and we are so grateful for the role you play in helping District 7 shine. ✨
#7Shines
"THE WIZARD OF OZ" opens APRIL 23rd - get your tickets today!
If you love "Wicked", come enjoy the story that started it all...
Join Dorothy, Toto ( YES, we have a REAL dog on stage!), the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Glinda, and even those mischievous flying monkeys as they take the stage in a spectacular student production that truly shines. This fully-staged production is accompanied by a live orchestra and is complete with FLYING witches, monkeys, and an on-stage tornado that whips Dorothy into the air!
Our talented students have been working tirelessly to bring this classic to life, and you won’t want to miss it...
🎭 Performance Dates:
April 23–25 at 7:00 PM
April 26 at 3:00 PM
📍 Location: District 7 Fine Arts Center, Spartanburg High School
🎟️ Tickets - $12 adults/$5 students and seniors: Reserve your seats now at our.show/D7Wizard
If you love "Wicked", come enjoy the story that started it all...
Join Dorothy, Toto ( YES, we have a REAL dog on stage!), the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Glinda, and even those mischievous flying monkeys as they take the stage in a spectacular student production that truly shines. This fully-staged production is accompanied by a live orchestra and is complete with FLYING witches, monkeys, and an on-stage tornado that whips Dorothy into the air!
Our talented students have been working tirelessly to bring this classic to life, and you won’t want to miss it...
🎭 Performance Dates:
April 23–25 at 7:00 PM
April 26 at 3:00 PM
📍 Location: District 7 Fine Arts Center, Spartanburg High School
🎟️ Tickets - $12 adults/$5 students and seniors: Reserve your seats now at our.show/D7Wizard
✨Saluting Our Assistant Principals ✨
As we return from Spring Break, we’re taking a moment to celebrate National Assistant Principals Week and recognize the incredible leaders who help our schools shine brighter every single day.
Assistant Principals are the steady heartbeat behind the scenes and at the center of it all, supporting teachers, encouraging students, partnering with families, and helping principals lead thriving school communities. They navigate challenges with strength and compassion, always keeping student success at the forefront.
In Spartanburg School District 7, their impact is felt in countless ways, through relationships built, problem-solving, and opportunities created for students to grow and succeed. Their leadership is a big reason 7Shines across our district.
To our Assistant Principals, thank you for showing up, stepping in, and lifting others up day in and day out. Your work matters, and our schools are stronger because of you. 💙
As we return from Spring Break, we’re taking a moment to celebrate National Assistant Principals Week and recognize the incredible leaders who help our schools shine brighter every single day.
Assistant Principals are the steady heartbeat behind the scenes and at the center of it all, supporting teachers, encouraging students, partnering with families, and helping principals lead thriving school communities. They navigate challenges with strength and compassion, always keeping student success at the forefront.
In Spartanburg School District 7, their impact is felt in countless ways, through relationships built, problem-solving, and opportunities created for students to grow and succeed. Their leadership is a big reason 7Shines across our district.
To our Assistant Principals, thank you for showing up, stepping in, and lifting others up day in and day out. Your work matters, and our schools are stronger because of you. 💙
We wrapped up Music in Our Schools Month with outstanding performances of “The Jungle Book” and “Pinocchio” musicals at Cleveland Academy and Mary H. Wright this week, and we shine our final spotlight on our elementary music program. It is so easy to celebrate the joy, creativity, and discovery happening every day in our elementary music classrooms!
Our youngest musicians are just beginning their journey, exploring a world of sound through singing, movement, instruments, and imagination. From learning their very first notes, often starting with classics like “Hot Cross Buns” (and sometimes even enjoying the real treat afterward!), to experimenting with rhythm through drumming, clapping games, and coordinated movement activities, students are building skills while having fun.
Elementary music is all about discovery. Students get hands-on experience with a variety of instruments, explore different musical styles from around the world, and learn how music connects to culture, storytelling, and self-expression. As they grow, many take the exciting step of joining beginning band or orchestra, where they prepare for their very first concerts—an unforgettable milestone for students and families alike.
Beyond the classroom, our students shine on stage in school musicals and performances, gaining confidence, teamwork skills, and a sense of pride in what they’ve accomplished.
Music in our elementary schools is more than just learning notes and rhythms—it’s about sparking curiosity, nurturing creativity, and helping every child find their voice. Our hats are off to the music teachers who guide their journeys and instill a lifelong love of making and enjoying music!
Our youngest musicians are just beginning their journey, exploring a world of sound through singing, movement, instruments, and imagination. From learning their very first notes, often starting with classics like “Hot Cross Buns” (and sometimes even enjoying the real treat afterward!), to experimenting with rhythm through drumming, clapping games, and coordinated movement activities, students are building skills while having fun.
Elementary music is all about discovery. Students get hands-on experience with a variety of instruments, explore different musical styles from around the world, and learn how music connects to culture, storytelling, and self-expression. As they grow, many take the exciting step of joining beginning band or orchestra, where they prepare for their very first concerts—an unforgettable milestone for students and families alike.
Beyond the classroom, our students shine on stage in school musicals and performances, gaining confidence, teamwork skills, and a sense of pride in what they’ve accomplished.
Music in our elementary schools is more than just learning notes and rhythms—it’s about sparking curiosity, nurturing creativity, and helping every child find their voice. Our hats are off to the music teachers who guide their journeys and instill a lifelong love of making and enjoying music!
🎻✨ For more than a century, strings have been part of the heartbeat of District 7. ✨🎻
This Music in Our Schools Month, we’re celebrating an orchestra program that doesn’t just perform beautifully; it opens doors to extraordinary experiences.
Founded in 1920, District 7’s orchestra program is the oldest public school strings program in South Carolina, and today it continues to set the standard from our middle schools to Spartanburg High.
And this year, our students are continuing a tradition of excellence…
🏆At McCracken Middle, students earned the Gold Outstanding Performance Award, along with Superior and Superior with Distinction ratings at Concert Performance Assessment. Twenty students were selected for Region Orchestra, with three advancing to All-State.
🏆At Carver Middle, the orchestra earned an Excellent rating at CPA, with students representing D7 in Region Orchestra and performing with the Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
🏆At Spartanburg High School, both orchestras earned Superior with Distinction ratings and the prestigious Gold Outstanding Performance Award. Twenty-eight students were selected for Region Orchestra, with three earning All-State honors.
🏅And this year marked something truly special: a record number of students earning Region Orchestra honors, a milestone that reflects the strength and growth of our program.
But what makes District 7’s orchestra program truly special goes far beyond the accolades.
It’s the experiences our students carry with them…
🎶 Performing for travelers at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport
🎶 Taking the stage at professional conferences and community galas
🎶 Playing alongside and within youth symphonies
🎶 Traveling together from unforgettable trips like Disney to international tours across Europe
And behind every performance is a team of dedicated educators who pour into these students day in and day out. Many of them also serve as leaders in the field, contributing to organizations like the Piedmont Chamber Orchestra, Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the South Carolina Music Educators Association orchestra division.
From their very first notes to standing ovations on big stages, our students are learning more than music. They’re learning discipline, teamwork, and how to be part of something bigger than themselves.
After more than 100 years, District 7 strings are still SHINING on our stages, in our community, and around the world.
#7Shines
This Music in Our Schools Month, we’re celebrating an orchestra program that doesn’t just perform beautifully; it opens doors to extraordinary experiences.
Founded in 1920, District 7’s orchestra program is the oldest public school strings program in South Carolina, and today it continues to set the standard from our middle schools to Spartanburg High.
And this year, our students are continuing a tradition of excellence…
🏆At McCracken Middle, students earned the Gold Outstanding Performance Award, along with Superior and Superior with Distinction ratings at Concert Performance Assessment. Twenty students were selected for Region Orchestra, with three advancing to All-State.
🏆At Carver Middle, the orchestra earned an Excellent rating at CPA, with students representing D7 in Region Orchestra and performing with the Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
🏆At Spartanburg High School, both orchestras earned Superior with Distinction ratings and the prestigious Gold Outstanding Performance Award. Twenty-eight students were selected for Region Orchestra, with three earning All-State honors.
🏅And this year marked something truly special: a record number of students earning Region Orchestra honors, a milestone that reflects the strength and growth of our program.
But what makes District 7’s orchestra program truly special goes far beyond the accolades.
It’s the experiences our students carry with them…
🎶 Performing for travelers at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport
🎶 Taking the stage at professional conferences and community galas
🎶 Playing alongside and within youth symphonies
🎶 Traveling together from unforgettable trips like Disney to international tours across Europe
And behind every performance is a team of dedicated educators who pour into these students day in and day out. Many of them also serve as leaders in the field, contributing to organizations like the Piedmont Chamber Orchestra, Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the South Carolina Music Educators Association orchestra division.
From their very first notes to standing ovations on big stages, our students are learning more than music. They’re learning discipline, teamwork, and how to be part of something bigger than themselves.
After more than 100 years, District 7 strings are still SHINING on our stages, in our community, and around the world.
#7Shines
🎺✨Excellence isn’t occasional in District 7 bands… it’s the standard.✨🎺
This Music in Our Schools Month, we’re celebrating a program that is SHINING from middle school to high school, where students aren’t just learning music, they’re finding their rhythm, their voice, and performing at the highest levels.
At Concert Performance Assessment (CPA), our bands delivered in a big way:
🎶Spartanburg High School Wind Ensemble — Superior Rating
🎶McCracken Middle (7th & 8th grade) — Superior with Distinction
🎶Carver Middle (7th & 8th grade) — Superior with Distinction
The highest honors. Across the board!
And the excellence continues…
🎷Viking Jazz Band earned a Superior Rating at the SCBDA Jazz Performance Assessment
🔥Gold Winter Guard — CWEA SAA Class State Champions
When it comes to marching season, Viking Band doesn’t just play the part; they take center field and own it. This season was nothing short of dominant:
🏆Reservation Tournament of Bands
First Place: Music, Guard, Percussion, In Class and Spirit Award. Top 3 Overall
🏆Chase Tournament of Bands
First Place: Visual, Overall Effect, Music, Percussion, Colorguard, and In Class. 2nd Place Overall
✨ Finished the season with an Excellent rating at State
What makes this program truly special goes far beyond the trophies.
This is a program on the rise—130 students strong—where students find their place, their passion, and their people.
✨ 22 Region Band students
✨ 4 All-State or alternates
✨ 5 selected for the USC Honor Band Clinic
From Friday night lights to the Spartanburg Christmas Parade, from the GSP Airport to performance stages across the state, these students are representing District 7 with pride everywhere they go.
With multiple ensembles having completed recent assessments and a culture built on excellence, this program continues to build momentum and hit every note along the way.
This is more than band.
It’s a family. A standard. A legacy in motion.
At the heart of it all are our incredible middle and high school band educators, guiding, inspiring, and setting the tone for every note of excellence.
This is what it looks like when passion meets precision. This is D7 Band.
#7Shines
This Music in Our Schools Month, we’re celebrating a program that is SHINING from middle school to high school, where students aren’t just learning music, they’re finding their rhythm, their voice, and performing at the highest levels.
At Concert Performance Assessment (CPA), our bands delivered in a big way:
🎶Spartanburg High School Wind Ensemble — Superior Rating
🎶McCracken Middle (7th & 8th grade) — Superior with Distinction
🎶Carver Middle (7th & 8th grade) — Superior with Distinction
The highest honors. Across the board!
And the excellence continues…
🎷Viking Jazz Band earned a Superior Rating at the SCBDA Jazz Performance Assessment
🔥Gold Winter Guard — CWEA SAA Class State Champions
When it comes to marching season, Viking Band doesn’t just play the part; they take center field and own it. This season was nothing short of dominant:
🏆Reservation Tournament of Bands
First Place: Music, Guard, Percussion, In Class and Spirit Award. Top 3 Overall
🏆Chase Tournament of Bands
First Place: Visual, Overall Effect, Music, Percussion, Colorguard, and In Class. 2nd Place Overall
✨ Finished the season with an Excellent rating at State
What makes this program truly special goes far beyond the trophies.
This is a program on the rise—130 students strong—where students find their place, their passion, and their people.
✨ 22 Region Band students
✨ 4 All-State or alternates
✨ 5 selected for the USC Honor Band Clinic
From Friday night lights to the Spartanburg Christmas Parade, from the GSP Airport to performance stages across the state, these students are representing District 7 with pride everywhere they go.
With multiple ensembles having completed recent assessments and a culture built on excellence, this program continues to build momentum and hit every note along the way.
This is more than band.
It’s a family. A standard. A legacy in motion.
At the heart of it all are our incredible middle and high school band educators, guiding, inspiring, and setting the tone for every note of excellence.
This is what it looks like when passion meets precision. This is D7 Band.
#7Shines
Our partners at the City of Spartanburg and Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM) are offering a fun and safe spring break camp for elementary students and teenagers! Registration is required but both camps are free of charge.
