South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind

09/10/2026

There are a lot of new things happening at our Applied Academic Center (AAC) this year! At AAC, we offer classes in nationally recognized career clusters tailored to each student's Individualized Education Plans and career interests.

In this video, our Director of Career Technical Education, Dee Stark, shares all about the new equipment and career clusters we’re introducing this year.

Full video transcript: For the Applied Academic Center, this is one of the biggest growth years we've had in a while. We're expanding hands-on, industry-aligned training across the board. From a new stand-up forklift simulator for our supply chain and transportation students, to two robotic arms for our STEAM program funded by the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation. What excites me most is that our students aren't just learning about careers. They are getting real equipment and real experience that mirrors what they'll encounter in the workforce. The Applied Academic Center and our technical education program is built around six of the new national career clusters: Agriculture and Plant/Animal Science; Construction and Carpentry; Education, Early Childhood Education, and Family Consumer Science; Advanced Manufacturing and Pre-Engineering through Project Lead the Way; Arts, Entertainment, and Design; Digital Arts; Supply Chain, Transportation, Power Equipment, and Logistics. This year, we're adding some new pieces to that foundation. We're launching a brand new Intro to Careers Program for 9th graders, giving students an early start in exploring these fields.

Video description: Photo scroll of students engaging in classes at the Applied Academic Center. Students dive into hands-on activities, collaborate on innovative projects, and engage with cutting-edge technology. Each image showcases the dynamic and interactive environment that fosters creativity and critical thinking.

09/04/2026

What an interactive day with our friends at BASF, who brought the excitement of Kids’ Lab to life for students! Kids’ Lab is all about sparking curiosity and a love for science in children aged 4–12, helping them explore the fascinating world of chemistry.

With fun, hands-on experiments and interactive Q&A sessions, the students learned just how chemistry is part of our everyday lives and how BASF creates chemistry.

A big thank you to BASF for sharing your passion for science with SCSDB!

09/01/2026

Thanks for the shoutout The Roo Crew! 🤟

Image description: Illustration of a kangaroo in a blue SC School for the Deaf and the Blind shirt signing “I Love You.” Text reads: Did you know? September is National Deaf Awareness Month.Did you know Spartanburg has been a pioneer in Deaf education for over 175 years?

September is National Deaf Awareness Month!

Did you know Spartanburg has been a pioneer in deaf education for over 175 years? In 1849, Rev. Newton Pinckney Walker opened a small school in Spartanburg for just five deaf students. That humble start grew into the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB)—a state institution serving thousands of students across South Carolina right from our backyard!

Supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing students goes far beyond the classroom! You can explore SCSDB’s history, see their iconic "I Love You" ASL handshape sculptures on Morgan Square, or connect with their statewide outreach programs to learn how to make our community more accessible for everyone.

Want to learn more or stay connected with everything happening at SCSDB? Check out The Buzz newsletter to follow their latest campus news and student stories:

https://www.scsdb.org/about-us/the-buzz-newsletter

08/21/2026

In celebration of National Hawaiian Shirt Day, our Education Services Department organized an island-style dress-up day. Our staff has done an amazing job building connections with students, collaborating with colleagues, and leading lessons. We wrapped up the week with a touch of fun! 🌺

08/20/2026

The Buzz: Summer 2026 newsletter has been mailed! ✉️ Feel free to read all the amazing stories since May 2026 on our website.

https://www.scsdb.org/about-us/the-buzz-newsletter/summer-2026

- 2026 Graduates
- Summer Camp
- Field Day
- Student Summer Activities
- Competitions and Awards
- Transition Services Achievements
- Dorm Wars
- Stories of impact across the state through Outreach
- Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Show with the SCSDB Foundation
- and so much more!

Have any questions about The Buzz? Email us at [email protected].

Image description: The annual cap toss in the atrium of Walker Hall is a cherished tradition eagerly anticipated by students, staff, and families alike. As the crowd looks on, the senior class of 2026 joyfully throws their caps into the air, celebrating both the occasion and their achievements.

08/14/2026

We've had a great first week back! Our students are diving into their new courses and enjoying the time spent with friends and teachers. Check out this moment: Tony Lee, our SCSDB District Teacher of the Year, engages with a classroom of students at the Applied Academic Center.

08/10/2026

Your home away from home is officially open! We welcomed all of our students and their families back to campus over the weekend. Happy First Day of School Hornets!

Did you know? SCSDB is South Carolina's specialized school for students who are deaf/hard-of-hearing or blind/low vision. Located in Spartanburg, we serve students from all over South Carolina through both our main campus and statewide outreach programs.

Learn more about our school and its programs at www.SCSDB.org!

08/07/2026

We've had a busy week on campus getting everything ready for you Hornets! Thanks to the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation for treating staff to a delicious Fuddruckers lunch on Wednesday.

We can't wait to welcome all of our students and families back to campus today for the day student Open House and on Sunday for our residential students. For more details, please visit our website. https://www.scsdb.org/parents/ecollect-back-to-school-student-registration

08/03/2026

It's always a great day when we have our SCSDB staff back on campus! Summer seemed to fly by, and we hope you found time to recharge and enjoy with loved ones.

This morning, President Jolene Madison addressed staff at the Annual Meeting, and we all enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Sodexo. Welcome back!

07/30/2026

Sarah Davis, the principal of the School for the Deaf, welcomes students and families as we gear up for an exciting new school year! She highlights the key priorities for this year and offers tips on how parents can support both their students and teachers.

Video description: Principal Sarah Davis stands in the School for the Deaf's hallway filled with green lockers, welcoming students and families and signing in American Sign Language (ASL). Her voice can be heard in the background.

Text transcript: My name is Sarah Davis, and I am the principal at the School for the Deaf.

This year, we are most excited about developing foundational language with our students. We want to continue working to match the ASL better. Their teachers will help develop vocabulary, fluency skills, as well as their critical thinking skills.

Again, we really want to build those foundational ASL language skills first. That is the priority... those foundational skills.
We want more independence, for them to become better communicators, and to be better students.

Also, that bridges the gap between English and ASL, and it helps them develop more reading and writing skills, which will improve.

This year, please take time to communicate with your child. Talk with them every day. This is critical. Help them through writing back and forth, communicating, showing them the English, and using capital letters and punctuation at the end of sentences. More writing will help improve their English.

We are thrilled to have the partnership with parents. Please use the child’s agenda for their homework. See what they’re doing in class, as well as using Parent Square for communication with families and the teachers. That partnership is so important. We hope to see you soon! Love you!