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!

What an amazing first day back with our McCracken Middle School Ohana! 🌺💚💛 Today was all about reconnecting, collaborating, and preparing for an incredible school year. We can’t wait to welcome our Eagles back and make this our best year yet! Thank you to our PTO for a wonderful breakfast. Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. 🦅

🦅Fall sports are here, Eagles! 🦅 Our Eagles are ready to compete, grow, and represent McCracken Middle School with pride this season! 📅 Fall Athletic Schedules are posted below. We can’t wait to see you at the games!🦅

What an incredible day at our Welcome to the Flock 6th Grade Orientation! It was wonderful meeting our newest Eagles and their families as we kicked off an exciting school year together. The energy, enthusiasm, and smiles made today truly special, and we can’t wait to see all that our 6th graders accomplish this year! Tomorrow, we look forward to welcoming our 7th and 8th grade families for our drop-in orientation from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Stop by to pick up schedules, visit classrooms, and get ready for an amazing year at McCracken Middle School. We are so excited to welcome everyone back! 🦅

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!

Save the Date

📚✏️ School Supply Lists Are Here! 📚✏️

The 2026-2027 McCracken Middle School School Supply Lists are now available!

Now is a great time to start checking items off your list and getting ready for another amazing school year. Whether you're a returning Eagle or joining us for the first time, we're excited to welcome you back soon!

📋 Check out the supply lists below and start preparing for a successful school year.

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! 🇺🇸

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!

✨ 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

🎻✨ 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

🎺✨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

✨ They didn’t just perform… they made history. ✨

This March, as we celebrate Dance in Our Schools Month, District 7 is SHINING a little brighter on the statewide stage.

D7 Dance made history at the first-ever State Dance Performance Assessment, hosted by the South Carolina Dance Association. Middle school ensembles from across the state were evaluated on movement acquisition and stage performance and our dancers delivered.

💙 McCracken Middle earned a Superior with Distinction
💛 Carver Middle earned an Excellent rating

This moment reflects the passionate educators leading the way:
✨ Caroline Pruitt – Pine Street Elementary (District Dance Coordinator)
✨ Demery Trantham – Carver Middle
✨ Ivey Whitaker – McCracken Middle

From our youngest dancers to our middle school performers, the arts are alive, growing, and thriving across D7 and this is just the beginning.

#7Shines
#DanceInOurSchoolsMonth

As Music in Our Schools Month continues, we celebrate the united voices of middle school students from all seven Spartanburg County School Districts, who joined together to give a beautiful concert at the annual "Spartanburg Sings!" The event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Spartanburg, and we were thrilled to bring it to our District 7 Fine Arts Center this year.

For well over a decade, Spartanburg Rotarians have provided this unique opportunity for middle schools to collaborate. Congratulations to all our singers and their teachers, including Spartanburg High School students who were guest solo performers: Reese Crocker, Javian Smith, and Moss Evelyn Wise.

Thank you to the Rotary Club for sponsoring this wonderful concert!

#7SHINES

🎶🏆 Outstanding Achievement in Band! 🏆🎶 We are incredibly proud of our 7th and 8th Grade Band students for their exceptional performance at Concert Performance Assessment! Both groups earned a rating of Superior with Distinction — the highest honor possible! 🌟 This achievement is a true testament to the dedication, discipline, and talent of our students, along with the unwavering support from their families. A special thank you to Mrs. Kuntz for her leadership, passion, and commitment to excellence in music education. 👏 Join us in congratulating our amazing band students, supportive parents, and incredible director on this well-deserved recognition! Your hard work truly shines! 🎺🥁🎵🦅

🎻✨ Celebrating Our Orchestra Students! ✨🎻 We are incredibly proud of our McCracken Middle School Orchestra students for their outstanding performances at Concert Performance Assessment (CPA)! Our 7th Grade Orchestra earned a Superior rating, demonstrating excellent musicianship and dedication. In addition, our 8th Grade Orchestra earned a Superior with Distinction, the highest rating possible! These achievements are a testament to the hard work of our talented students and the guidance of our amazing orchestra directors. Thank you to everyone who supports our music program and helps our students shine. We are so proud of our Eagles! 💛🦅💚

🍀 Lucky to Have You! 🍀 Our Beta Club spread a little early St. Patrick’s Day cheer this week by hosting a “Lucky to Have You” breakfast for our amazing faculty and staff! 💚💛 A huge thank you to our wonderful parents who donated so many delicious breakfast goodies to make this event special. Your generosity means so much to our school community, in addition to those who volunteered to provide a duty free lunch to our staff as well! We also want to give a big shoutout to Grumpy Goose Coffee for providing the coffee that kept everyone energized and smiling this morning. ☕ Our teachers and staff truly felt the appreciation. We are so lucky to have such supportive families and students at McCracken!🦅