Spartanburg is divided into seven school districts, while Greenville is only one big school district.
Spartanburg 1-Chapman/Landrum High Schools (Inman, Landrum, Capobello, Gramling)
Really good school system... small schools... Nice people.
A plus is that if you live in this school district they tend to allow students to go to any school they would like. (So, say you're districted for Campobello-Gramling, but you want your child to go to Inman Elementary, then they will allow you to do so.)
Spartanburg 2- Boiling Springs/Chesnee
Boiling Springs is very BIG and is growing by a LOT. This would probably give you the best 'suburban' life style, but you could easily live in District 1 and easily access Boiling Springs.
Chesnee is a much more small-town feel and there in not really a suburban-type feel.
Spartanburg 3-Broome (Cowpens, Pacolet)
I went to school here and loved it. It has a bunch of small schools and they are all really good. They have a lot of arts programs and gifted programs, but they aren't very diverse. Cowpens is about 10 minutes outside of Spartanburg, so you could easily access Hillcrest and whatnot.
Spartanburg 4- I have no idea.
Spartanburg 5- Byrnes (I think)
I think they're known for their football? I don't honestly know much about this district.
Spartanburg 6- Dorman (Roebuck, Westside, Fairforest, Arcadia)
HUGE school district. Dorman is one of the largest high schools in the state. (I believe it's number 2, right behind Wando in Mt. Pleasant?) However, because it is so big... there are some very
solid programs. However, it may be too competitive? There aer many schools that you want to stay away from with this district though. There are three 'sections'. One is the Fairforest area which is very Spanish-dominated, another is Dawkins, which is a fairly good school, but not such great elementary schools, and the last is Gable which is probably the 'shining star' of the bunch. Of course, you would have to look at the schools to decide for yourself.
Spartanburg 7- There is Pine Street and Jesse Boyd Elementary schools. Do not consider any other school. I've been there. The school district says that it allows school choice, but the reality is that it is very limited... and if you don't live in the Pine St district, you're not getting in... (Ex: This year... 32 requests were put in for transfer to Pine Street... only
five were approved.) However, every one of Jesse Boyd's requests were approved. (link:
School choice opening doors | Spartanburg, South Carolina | GoUpstate.com | Spartanburg Herald-Journal)
Also consider the Spartanburg Charter School. It doesn't matter where you live. They are state-supported. As long as you live in SC, you can apply for the school.
Spartanburg Charter School - Home
They should still have spaces available for grades 2-5, and may even have spaces available for grades k and 1.
As far as Greenville schools go... I have no idea. But I hope I provided incite on the Spartanburg schools. =)