What Are Spartanburg Public Schools Doing This Fall?

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Spartanburg County Schools Districts 1-7 just released their Fall 2020 plans yesterday. Our understanding is that the districts collaboratively worked together on their plans. As a result, the plans share many similarities but also have differences.

These school plans are all subject to change and still must be approved by the Department of Education.

Need information on all the education options for families in the Upstate? In our School Decisions Guide you’ll find a collection of local return to school plans from public and private schools in the area, plus information on virtual charter schools and homeschooling.

When are Spartanburg County Schools starting?

All Spartanburg County Public Schools will start school on Monday, August 17, 2020.

What options are Spartanburg County Schools Offering?

All Spartanburg County Schools are offering both a in-person (though in-person can include some at-home learning) school option and a 100% virtual option. All traditional school models also include plans for 5 day, Hybrid (some in-person but not 5-day), and virtual learning. These plans can be implemented during the school year based on COVID-19 spread in the community or school.

L.E.A.P. Days – d1 august 10, d3 august 10, d5 august 3, d4 august 3

100% Virtual School Options in Spartanburg

Spartanburg One Online Academy – The deadline to enroll in the Online Academy (100% virtual school is July 29th. The Online Academy will include live and recorded lessons by D1 teachers. The Online Academy will run for at least half of the school year. Once you choose the Online Academy, you may not alter your choice. Devices will be provided for 2-12 and for K-1 as appropriate.

Spartanburg Two Virtual Academy – Families must commit to the D2 Virtual Academy by July 20th. Commitment is for a 9 week term. It does not appear that the virtual academy will have a live teaching component but teachers will be available to assist students.

Spartanburg Three Virtual Program – The deadline for the D3 Virtual Program is July 28th. Elementary students will have live and recorded sessions but middle school and high school students will work through online modules. The placement in virtual will be for the semester. In the elementary level, students will be allowed to return to the classroom after nine weeks if space allows.

Spartanburg Four Virtual School – Parents are required to attend an in-person meeting at the school to enroll their child in virtual school to sign a “Declaration of Intent”. This paperwork must be turned in by July 31st. The placement for the youngest students (preschool-5th) will be reviewed every three weeks. The placement for (6th and up) will remain until the end of the semester. Students must confirm that they have an electronic device as only limited computers for primary and elementary students will be available. Students in 6th through 12th may be required to come on school campus for APEX assessments.

Spartanburg Five Virtual Academy – The deadline for registering for virtual school in D5 is July 29th. Families’ decisions will remain in effect for the entire school year though placement changes may be allowed at the semester break as space allows. Live instruction and a daily schedule will be provided. An electronic device will be provided.

Spartanburg Six Virtual Academy – You must sign up for the D6 Virtual Program by July 29th. Computers will be provided. Students will be expected to attend live virtual classes at specific times.

Spartanburg Seven Virtual School – The deadline to enroll in virtual school in D7 is July 31st. Families must commit for the entire school year though shifts back into the classroom will be accommodated at the semester as space is available. Students will be required to attend during normal school hours. Elementary students will have instruction from teachers but middle school and high school students will work through self-paced modules.

In-Person School Options in Spartanburg

All Spartanburg County Public Schools have multiple plans that include more or less days of in-person school. These plans will be implemented depending on COVID-19 spread. Even if your child is attending school in-person, they may have periods of virtual school.

  • D1 has three plans.
    • Traditional: Students attend 5 days in-person school.
    • Hybrid: Students attend on an A/B schedule. They will attend two days a week and complete virtual learning the other 3 days.
    • Virtual: Students complete school virtually at home.
  • D2 has different plans depending on the age of child.
    • Family Model (preK-5th): Students attend 5 days a week.
    • Traditional (6th-12th): Students attend 5 days a week.
    • Hybrid (6th-12th): Students attend on an A/B schedule. They will attend two days a week and complete learning at home the other three days.
    • Distance Remote Learning (all students): Students learn at home.
  • D3 has different plans based on grade level and disease spread. Their plan is more complicated and involves a lot of possible combinations.
    • Traditional: During low disease spread all D3 students will attend 5 days a week.
    • Family: In the Family Model, students will attend school 5 days but will stay with their classroom. In the D3 plan, preK-2nd children might attend school in the Family Model even in the event of high disease spread.
    • Hybrid: Students attend on an A/B schedule. They will attend two days a week and complete learning at home the other three days.
    • Virtual: Students attend school virtually.
  • D4 has three plans.
    • Traditional: Students attend 5 days in-person school.
    • Hybrid: Students attend on an A/B schedule. They will attend two days a week and complete virtual learning the other 3 days.
    • Virtual: Students complete school virtually at home.
  • D5 has four plans.
    • Traditional: Students attend 5 days in-person school.
    • Family: Students attend 5 days in-person school but stay with their classroom.
    • Hybrid: Students attend on an A/B schedule. They will attend two days a week and complete virtual learning the other 3 days.
    • Distance Learning: Students complete school virtually at home.
  • D6 has not announced plans but has stated that they will utilize an A/B Hybrid Schedule and a Traditional Schedule.
  • D7 has three plans.
    • Family: Students attend 5 days in-person school but stay with their classroom as much as possible.
    • Hybrid: Students attend on an A/B schedule. They will attend two days a week and complete virtual learning the other 3 days.
    • eLearning: Students complete school virtually at home.

What is the starting plan for Spartanburg schools?

  • D1 will start with the Hybrid Model. The plan will be reassessed after Labor Day with the goal of returning to 5-day in-person instruction.
  • D2 will start with the Hybrid Model for 6th-12th and with the Family Model for preK-5th.
  • D3 will start with the Hybrid Model. Beginning on September 8th, D3 will begin a weekly review to determine if they can move to a Family Model or Traditional Model.
  • D4 will start with the Hybrid Model.
  • D5 will start with the Hybrid Model.
  • D6 will start with the Hybrid Model but states that they hope to move to a full 5-day plan on September 8th.
  • D7 will start with the Hybrid Model.

Masks in Spartanburg Schools

One of the biggest questions we have seen online is whether or not students will be required to wear masks at school. Here are the current mask regulations:

  • D1 students will be encouraged to wear masks during transitions and when social distancing is not possible. D1 will expect students and drivers to wear masks on the bus.
  • D2 has purchased masks for all students and staff. Masks will be considered essential to wear for certain times of the day such as transitions and riding the bus.
  • D3 will require masks during all transitions and when social distancing is not possible. Masks will be strongly encouraged at all times. Families are encouraged to provide masks but the schools will provide them if necessary.
  • D4 will require masks on the buses. Students will be strongly encouraged to wear masks in the buildings but it will not be required.
  • D5 will require masks on all buses. Students will be required to wear masks during transitions and when social distancing is not possible. The school will provide masks to students that need them.
  • D6 will require masks on the bus, during transitions, and when social distancing is not possible.
  • D7 students are expected to wear masks on the bus and when arriving at school via bus or car. They will be required to wear masks in all hallways and common spaces. The teachers will direct students to wear masks when social distancing is limited in the classroom.

Other things to expect this year in Spartanburg Schools

We did not have the time to confirm that these policies are consistent across the Spartanburg Districts but we have noticed them commonly appearing in local plans:

Meal Schedules: Students may eat in their classrooms during some of the plans. Virtual school may still include free or reduced meals.

Visitors: Visitors beyond the office will be highly restricted. Even volunteers inside the building may not be allowed. You will likely be required to wear a mask to enter the building.

Sickness Policies: Your child will be sent home or asked to not attend school for a wide range of symptoms including coughing.

Field Trips: Students will be unlikely to leave school campus for field trips this year.

This summary includes only portions of the school plans. You can access the full plans below:

About the Author
Bethany Winston is the owner and editor-in-chief of Kidding Around Greenville & Kidding Around Spartanburg. She enjoys exploring parks, discovering local events, and meeting the people who make Greenville an amazing place to live. You can contact her directly at bethany@kiddingaroundgreenville.com.

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