Dear Spartanburg Day School Learning Community,

At Spartanburg Day School, honor is more than a concept discussed in assemblies; it is a value lived out daily. Our school year began with a focus on this very idea, exploring how honor is defined not just by what we refrain from doing, but by what we actively choose to do. The SDS Honor Code establishes a foundational "community of trust" by asking students to commit not to lie, cheat, or steal. But it goes further, calling on each community member to actively promote the behaviors we value and encourage others to do the same. This is honor in action—a living commitment to excellence, leadership, individuality, passion, and curiosity.

The primary way our students practice this commitment is through the Learning Lived prism of our programming. Our goal is to design a suite of immersive experiences designed to connect what students learn in the classroom with the complexities and opportunities of the real world. From the Farmers’ Market in 3s to Exhibition and TED Talks in 4th grade to Special Studies opportunities that have included internships at NASA, Spartanburg Regional Hospital, service work with Habitat for Humanity and cultural studies in Montreal, Learning Lived challenges students to step beyond their comfort zones and put their values to the test. These are not just field trips; they are formative, hands-on experiences that cultivate agency, leadership, and discernment in our students. By placing them in real-world scenarios, we empower them to take risks, learn from missteps, and build meaningful relationships with peers and educators, strengthening our community of trust.

This emphasis on integrity is more critical than ever when we consider the future our students will inherit. The world is on the cusp of unprecedented change, driven by the rapid integration of artificial intelligence, robotics, and bioengineering. In this emerging landscape, technical tasks may increasingly be handled by machines, but the need for uniquely human skills—emotional intelligence, adaptability, compassion, judgment, and originality—will become paramount. This future will present not only incredible opportunities for innovation but also profound ethical challenges.

Navigating such a world requires more than knowledge; it demands a steadfast moral compass. The timeless words of educator John Dewey, written in 1897, ring especially true today: "To prepare [a child] for the future life means to give him command of himself... so that he will have the full and ready use of all his capacities".

This is the ultimate goal of our mission at Spartanburg Day School. Through Learning Lived, we provide the experiences that allow students to gain command of themselves and practice living honorably. They learn that true leadership is shown through action and that excellence is achieved through perseverance and sacrifice. By grounding our students in a community of trust, we are preparing them not just for college and careers, but for a life well lived—a life of purpose, confidence, and integrity, ready to make their own honorable contributions to the world.

Sincerely,

Dave