Spartanburg High returns to its roots with new joint program with SCC
It's been more than 50 years since Spartanburg High School students walked the hallways inside the historic Evans Building — the high school's original location — but come fall, that's going to change.
A select group of Spartanburg High students will become the first to enroll in the Viking Early College, a program that will allow students to earn up to two year's worth of college credits while working their way toward a high school diploma. The initiative is a partnership between Spartanburg School District 7 and Spartanburg Community College, which is in the process of renovating the Evans Building for its new downtown campus.
The early college will be located on a portion of the building's third floor and open to its first class of about 20 male students this fall. Students selected for the program will earn dual credits and divide time between Spartanburg High and the Community College.
The building, located at the intersection of South Dean and Kennedy streets, was originally Frank Evans High School, then changed to Spartanburg High School in the early 30s. When the high school moved to its current location on Dupre Drive in 1959, the building served as a junior high school and later housed county offices.
Spartanburg Community College announced its plans to renovate the building back to its roots as a school in 2009. Already, construction efforts have uncovered the name “Spartanburg High School” etched above the school's Kennedy Street entrance. An engraving for “Frank Evans High School” is visible on the Dean Street side.
“One small part of it is going to be a high school again,” said Cheryl Cox, SCC vice president of academic affairs.
The Viking Early College will target young men who are driven, but may need an extra push toward post-secondary education. Students might come from low-income families, be first-generation college-goers or from groups statistically underrepresented in higher education.
There will be no cost to students to participate, and transportation will be provided. The program's first cohort of 20 will be named in May, and a new class will be added with every following year.
“When we look at our data in terms of students graduating on time and matriculation to college, it's our male students we're looking at,” said Terry Pruitt, District 7 deputy superintendent. “… It's the student we look at and they're a really good student. They may or may not have made up their mind if they're going to college, but they could, and this would give them that push.”
Cox called the early college an “exceptional opportunity” for select students.
“We're looking for students who have the potential to succeed, but they just might not be terribly engaged, or they might succeed in a different environment, like at the Evans Building,” Cox said. “From our perspective, this is an opportunity to address a population we're having trouble attracting … The ultimate goal on both sides is for these students to have an exceptional experience and to be successful.”
Applications for the program will be available to rising ninth-grade students this week, but teachers and counselors can also nominate qualified candidates. Those selected after an interview process will begin taking college-level courses as soon as their high school career begins.
How much time students spend on SCC's campus will increase with time and grade level. Younger students will spend about half their day on the college campus, while upperclassmen are expected to spend most of their academic time at SCC, with the exception of some extracurricular courses.
After four years, early college students will have earned an associate's degree or up to two years of transferable college credit. Pruitt said every course students take must be carefully aligned to both high school and college requirements.
“This will be true dual credit,” Pruitt explained. “When they take English 101 (at SCC), it'll be satisfying a high school English requirement as well.”
The early college portion of the building will include four classrooms, office space and a student common area with seating and study carrels. The district will lease the space from SCC and set aside funds for coursework, personnel, equipment and transportation. District 7 Superintendent Russell Booker said roughly $150,000 has been budgeted for the program's first year, although that figure is expected to increase as students begin taking more courses at SCC. He also hopes to explore community partnerships to strengthen the effort.
Already, a multi-year financial commitment from a local family will set up a scholarship fund for students' coursework. The family of George Dean Johnson, Sr. — chairman of District 7 School Board from 1950 to 1963 and one of the first presidents of the South Carolina School Boards Association — made the gift in his honor.
“The support of the Johnson family in this community has been tremendous,” Booker said. “This is a wonderful way to honor the legacy of Dr. Johnson as well as the Johnson's ongoing commitment to raising the level of college attainment in this community.”
Leaders see the program as an opportunity for community collaboration and involvement, through mentoring, internships, volunteer opportunities, guest speakers and civic engagement. Pruitt and Booker said the district will look to business professionals, area colleges and other community groups to enhance and expand students' overall experience.
“One of the key components of the college will be the students level involvement in the community. We want to expose them to real world opportunities on a regular basis,” Booker said. “We have an extremely supportive community, and this college will take that support to another level.”