Heritage and Promise

The promise of our $20 million Capital Campaign

Increase the endowment for scholarships, professional development and faculty salaries
Construct a free-standing Upper School building
Renovate and expand the existing Middle School
Add a gymnasium complex and renovate existing locker rooms
Enlarge and update the dining commons

Today, we stand on the threshold of opportunity and promise. As the school enters the next 50 years of its existence, we must be proficient in preparing our students to adapt to the economic, technological, demographic, and political forces that transform the way people work and live.
Our need is great. Our need is clear. Our need is now.” ~ Chris Dorrance, Headmaster

The school retained the services of fundraising consultant Bill Joyner to conduct a feasibility study and determine the readiness and capacity of the school to conduct a Capital Campaign. His findings were presented to the Board of Trustees in September, 2005 and they unanimously approved the beginning of the “Heritage and Promise” Capital Campaign.

Two matching gift challenges totaling $10 million positioned the school community to succeed in raising $20 million.

The crucial matching challenges of $5 million each were issued by Billy and Lindsay Webster and George Dean and Susu Johnson and 100% of Trustees contributed to the campaign, which is poised to change the face of Spartanburg Day School.

Ricky(’71) and Betsy (’71) Richardson were selected as co-chairs for this endeavor.

The Promise of the Dining Commons

A fully renovated kitchen and dining area.
A newly designed kitchen facility that will serve 300 people at one time.
Spacious serving facilities and comfortable seating areas.
Creation of a new design for the commons area to accommodate multiple uses, including performances, after-school activities, club meetings, a student union and other school events.

The Promise for the Upper School

A 30,000 square foot facility that will be a signature building on the SDS campus.
Prominent entrance and welcoming area.
Extensive accessibility to appropriate technology.
A study room with individual and group work areas and access to technology.
Expanded office space and work areas for faculty.
A variety of spaces to accommodate different learning approaches.
State of the art science laboratories.
Attractive open space and gathering areas for the school community.

The Promise for the Middle School

A new entrance that will connect the two existing wings with important common and meeting spaces.
Doubled square footage for classroom space.
Spacious, state of the art, science laboratories.
Improved access to technology across the curriculum.
Faculty offices and meeting spaces designed to foster collaboration.

The Promise of New Athletic Facilities

A new air-conditioned gymnasium with a lobby and concession area.
7,000 square feet of renovated locker room space.
An expanded weight and physical training room.
Team rooms and expanded storage space.
The opportunity to reconstruct the floors in the Seth Milliken Gymnasium and provide air-conditioning for the existing facility.

Our children have long graduated from Spartanburg Day School. When asked what motivates us to remain so involved, the answer is that we recognize the people who founded the school and provided the opportunities that we enjoyed as students. Our children followed and received an education that has positioned them to be successful, contributing members of society. We feel an obligation to join with those giants to continue the pursuit of excellence in education at this fine Spartanburg institution. ~ Ricky ’71 and Betsy ’71 Richardson, Capital Campaign co-chairs