Spartanburg Day School

Spartanburg Day School’s Special Studies Week is underway, marking the 30th year of one of the school’s most distinctive academic programs for Upper School students.

A cornerstone of the school’s Learning Lived philosophy, the week moves Upper School students beyond the traditional classroom and into immersive experiences designed to expand perspective and deepen understanding. Through focused, hands-on learning, students explore new interests, engage in meaningful service, and connect their academic studies to life beyond campus.

Head of School Dave Skeen said the program continues to define the Spartanburg Day School experience.

“Special Studies Week represents who we are as a school,” Skeen noted. “For 30 years, it has given our students the opportunity to apply what they learn in meaningful ways, to discover new passions, and to grow in confidence as they step into unfamiliar spaces. It is learning that stretches beyond textbooks and leaves a lasting impact.”

Designed to give students meaningful ownership of their learning, the program centers on immersive experiences across professional fields, the arts, service, outdoor education, and global studies. Students apply classroom knowledge in authentic settings, strengthen critical thinking and collaboration skills, and develop greater independence.

The week also creates intentional space for reflection, giving students time to clarify their interests and make thoughtful decisions about their next steps.

This year’s offerings reflect the wide scope of the program and the many ways students engage with culture and community. Some are discovering global traditions close to home, exploring the diverse heritage represented throughout Spartanburg and the Upstate through food, film, and shared experiences. Others are serving alongside local nonprofit partners, gaining firsthand insight into the needs and strengths of the communities around them.

Beyond campus, students are traveling across the Southeast to study art, architecture, and coastal ecology, while others have journeyed abroad to immerse themselves in the history, language, math, and traditions of places such as Scotland and Mexico. By spending time in these communities, students step out of their comfort zones and expand their learning. In these moments, learning becomes a direct experience rather than classroom discussion alone.

Students are stepping into professional environments as interns, visiting college campuses, and engaging in hands-on experiences that connect academic study with meaningful application. Many are earning certifications and gaining hands-on experience in the medical field, equipping them with practical skills and a clearer sense of direction as they explore potential careers. Whether remaining in Spartanburg or traveling internationally, each opportunity is designed to broaden perspective and deepen understanding.

In every case, Special Studies Week leaves students with new skills, a greater understanding of themselves, and clearer connections between what they learn in the classroom and what happens in the real world. Most of all, Special Studies adds vital brushstrokes to our Portrait of a Graduate by encouraging students to develop a sense of purpose and passion, to grow in confidence and courage, and to balance drive with discernment.

Special Studies remains closely tied to Spartanburg Day School’s core curriculum, turning classroom lessons into lived experience. As the program reaches its 30th year, Special Studies Week continues to leave a lasting impression on students long after the week concludes.

As Special Studies Week moves toward completion, Spartanburg Day School celebrates three decades of a program that challenges students to think deeply, explore boldly, and connect classroom learning to life beyond campus. For more information, visit www.spartanburgdayschool.org.

Accompanying photo: Matthew Roff at The Old Course at St. Andrews earlier this week as part of his Special Studies trip to Scotland.