Spartanburg Day School

At its 2025 Annual Celebration: A Season of Impact, OneSpartanburg, Inc. celebrated Spartanburg County’s continued momentum, along with the dedicated community leaders, exemplary local businesses, and shining stars that showcase the countywide impact of the organization’s mission.

Spartanburg Day School's Chris Duncan was celebrated as the 2025 Teacher of the Year for the school. Dave Skeen, Head of School at SDS, noted Mr. Duncan "expertly guides young people through some of the most challenging material they will face in high school. He is clearly passionate about the work he does in the classroom. The level of conversation around solving a particularly challenging question is incredible to witness. It is clear that Duncan relishes his role as a guide on the side who helps students find their way based on the principles and concepts he's imparted along the way." It’s master teachers like Chris Duncan that make Spartanburg Day School a place where curiosity thrives, challenges are embraced, and students grow into confident learners.

Spartanburg Day School seniors Mary Ella Bullington and Samuel Kitchen have been named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, an honor earned through their outstanding performance on the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

More than 1.3 million juniors in nearly 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 competition by taking the exam, which served as the initial screening. From this group, approximately 16,000 students nationwide — representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors — achieved scores high enough to be named Semifinalists.

Mary Ella and Samuel now have the opportunity to advance to Finalist standing, with the announcement of National Merit Finalists expected in February.

We are proud to celebrate their hard work and achievement and congratulate them on this exceptional honor.

Big things are happening in campus dining at Spartanburg Day School — and it’s all about enhancing the experience for students, faculty, and staff throughout the day.

At the heart of these exciting updates is a refreshed vision for Griffins Table, the school’s main dining service, now reimagined to offer even more nutritious, locally sourced, and student-friendly options. While Griffins Table has long been part of the SDS experience, this year’s revamp brings a new energy to lunch hour — one that reflects both our community’s evolving tastes and our commitment to wellness, sustainability, and connection.