Spartanburg Academic Movement

10/26/2026

Who helped open a door for you?

Sometimes one connection can change the direction of a life.
As we prepare for THRIVE 2026, we're celebrating the people who help create pathways to opportunity.

Who made a difference in yours?

10/22/2026

💡 When the school day ends, opportunity doesn't.

Across Spartanburg County, learning, connection and discovery continue long after the final bell rings.

This , we're celebrating the collective impact of the Out-of-School Time Collaborative, supported by SAM's Center for Youth Engagement and Partnerships, and the organizations working together to expand opportunities for young people.

Together, we're making a difference:

💡 2,528 unique young people served

💡 28 organizations working together

💡 548 youth reached through Summer Shakedown scholarships and minigrants

💡 190 participants in full-service afterschool programs at Carver and Clifdale, with an 86% retention rate

Behind every number is a young person gaining access to new experiences, building meaningful relationships and discovering what's possible.

That's the power of collaboration. That's why we keep the lights on.

10/20/2026

Center the Student. Strengthen the System. Close the Gaps.

Two days of intentional conversations, collaboration and strategic thinking have helped set the course for 2027 at SAM.

Our SAM team came together across Centers to reflect on our progress, align our priorities and establish meaningful goals that will guide our collective work in the year ahead.

At the heart of every conversation was a shared commitment: keeping students at the center, strengthening the systems that support them and closing the gaps that stand in the way of opportunity.

Strategic planning is about more than setting goals. It's about building shared ownership, connecting our work across Centers and ensuring that every effort moves us closer to lasting impact for children, families and our community.

A special thank-you to Openfields for thoughtfully facilitating our two days together and to Milliken & Company for being such a gracious host and providing an exceptional space for our team to think, connect and plan.

We're energized by the work ahead and the collective commitment to making 2027 a year of meaningful progress.

10/19/2026

What if the answers to stronger literacy outcomes are already in our classrooms? 📚

Across Spartanburg County, educators are demonstrating what's possible when students have access to rigorous instruction, responsive interventions and high expectations.

Through a partnership between SAM and Clemson University, research into seven local literacy Bright Spot schools is revealing promising practices that can help strengthen literacy outcomes for more students.

But identifying what's working is only the beginning.

In our latest blog, "From Bright Spots to Better Systems," we explore how SAM's Wardlaw Center for Improvement Science is helping turn local insights into meaningful, measurable change to move from promising practices in individual classrooms to stronger systems across schools and districts.

The goal isn't simply to replicate success. It's to learn from it, test new approaches and build on what works.

Because when educators, school leaders and districts learn together, more students have the opportunity to thrive.

🔗 Read the latest blog: https://bit.ly/4sl5BCY

Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary Reading Coach Hillary Thompson speaks on how the school has used strategies to create an authentic learning environment.

10/15/2026

Finding their voices. Understanding their influence. Learning to advocate for change.

On Tuesday evening, SAM Director of Advocacy Juantavia Padgett joined the Youth Philanthropy Board to lead a conversation about policy advocacy and the power of using your voice to make a difference.

Padgett introduced students to the role advocacy plays in shaping public policy and the importance of shepherding thoughtful, effective legislation through the policymaking process.

Students also put those lessons into practice, developing their own elevator pitches and learning how to build a compelling case for policies and issues that matter to them.

At SAM, we believe young people have an important role to play in shaping the future of their communities. Helping students understand how decisions are made, communicate their ideas and engage in the policy process is an important part of developing the next generation of leaders.

Their voices matter. And learning how to use them is a powerful first step.

10/14/2026

🍎 Happy National Principals Month! 🍎

This October, SAM proudly celebrates the dedicated Spartanburg County principals who lead with purpose, and make a lasting difference in the lives of students, educators, and school communities. Your leadership, commitment, and passion help create environments where students thrive and teachers succeed.

Thank you for all you do to make a difference every single day! We appreciate you and celebrate the incredible impact you make. 💙

Spartanburg School District One
Spartanburg County School District Two
Spartanburg County School District 3
Spartanburg County School District 4
District Five Schools of Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County School District Six
Spartanburg School District 7

10/13/2026

The research. The real-world impact. You want to be in the room.

What does it take to create a community where more people have the opportunity to thrive?

On October 29, Spartanburg will welcome two national leaders helping answer that question.

Dr. Raj Chetty, Harvard economist and director of Opportunity Insights, has transformed our understanding of how opportunity, neighborhoods and social connections shape economic mobility.

Christian Rhodes of Harlem Children's Zone brings a powerful perspective on turning research into action and connecting children, families and communities with the relationships and opportunities they need to succeed.

Their insights will help us explore what's possible when research, relationships and collective action come together to drive economic mobility.

Big ideas. National voices. Local impact.

This is more than a conference. It's an opportunity to learn, connect and help shape what's next for Spartanburg.

You want to be in the room.

⏰ Registration closes Oct. 19!

Register today: https://learnwithsam.org/thrive-2026

10/12/2026

We're proud of Meghan Smith, director of SAM's Center for Postsecondary Success, for representing Spartanburg Academic Movement at the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) Conference!

Meghan joined leaders from Chicago Public Schools and the National Student Clearinghouse to explore how organizations can use postsecondary enrollment, persistence and completion data to strengthen student support, improve programs and drive better outcomes.

Through , we're working to ensure more Spartanburg County students have the opportunities and support they need to succeed beyond high school.

👏 Way to represent Spartanburg, Meghan!

10/12/2026

Turning data into action to improve student outcomes!

We're proud to recognize Meghan Smith, director of SAM's Center for Postsecondary Success, for sharing her expertise at the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) Conference!

Meghan joined leaders from Chicago Public Schools and the National Student Clearinghouse for a panel discussion on how organizations can move beyond simply reporting data to using it strategically to support student success.

The conversation explored how postsecondary enrollment, persistence and completion data can strengthen advising, inform program design and help identify students who need additional support.

At SAM, this work is central to Movement 2030 and our commitment to ensuring more students have the opportunities and support they need to succeed beyond high school.

We're proud to see Meghan representing Spartanburg and contributing to a national conversation about turning insights into meaningful outcomes for students.

10/10/2026