Know Us

SAM is a nonprofit organization and a community movement adopted in 2013 as an all-in partnership of education, business, government, foundation, community and faith leaders across Spartanburg county, all working together in pursuit of high levels of academic success for ALL of our children.

Learn about our mission, history, our vision and leadership.      

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Any donation to SAM makes a vital contribution to the long-term success of our community and its residents.


The Latest News

Find out what we've been up to and hear some of Spartanburg's success stories.

Go To Our Newsroom →


How It Works

Learn more about the national model that drives our organization.

Learn More →


Our Publications: Chapters Tell the Story

SAM publishes progress updates on academic performance, and on our partners’ efforts to reach our county-wide goals.  Each update reveals more of the picture of education in our community and how it is changing.

Chapters of SAM's story may be downloaded by clicking on the Publication Image.

The StriveTogether Continuous Improvement Case Study, though not published by SAM, provides a deep look at the work of the Wardlaw Institute, SAM’s training hub. 

Our most recent report, Chapter 5: IMPACT 2020-21, is the sixth report of the Spartanburg Academic Movement. Beginning with our preface, the collective publications provide an in-depth look at SAM’s progress as an organization and county-wide initiative while also providing updated Spartanburg County academic achievement data.

In 2017, the Southeastern Council of Foundations featured SAM's history and relationship with the Spartanburg County Foundation as representative of a revolutionary mindset within philanthropy that is beginning to accelerate progress in the South.  Though not produced by SAM, the chapter within the Fulfilling the Promise report, included here and provides a look at the driving forces behind our organization and its impact on the community. 


Parents or Guardians

For helpful information and resources, be sure to check out our resource room