The future is getting brighter for families in Spartanburg District Five, thanks to an historic development in the heart of our community. On April 25, Middle Tyger Community Center (MTCC) officially broke ground on the Middle Tyger Education Center - a 44,500 square foot facility designed to address the pressing need of early childhood education and family services in western Spartanburg County.
Located on South Danzler Road in the heart of Duncan, the $19 million center will not only expand high-quality childcare access in a region designated as a “childcare desert,” but also support the families who make up the very heart of District Five schools. "This center is going to provide the most infant spaces and 1 year old spaces than anywhere else in the state. We're going to have children from six weeks, all the way up through 4K," says MTCC Executive Director Haley Grau.
Spartanburg District Five is a proud partner in this initiative, recognizing the valuable connection between early childhood support and long-term student success. With 73% of South Carolina kindergarteners entering school not ready to learn, the district sees this investment as essential in laying a stronger academic foundation for its youngest learners. "What we're building right now is a future for students in our community, for kids, and for parents," says Superintendent Dr. Randall Gary. "We've seen what kids that have the good early childcare, the difference it makes when they enter our doors in kindergarten, and we want to expand that."
District Five families stand to benefit directly. Many parents and caregivers served by MTCC either live or work within the district, and some are even employed by the district itself. By alleviating the overwhelming financial burden of childcare—currently averaging $14,000 annually in our region—the Middle Tyger Education Center will empower parents to pursue employment, education, and stability with peace of mind.
The project is backed by significant community and corporate partners, including SEW Eurodrive, Spartanburg Academic Movement, and District Five. This collaboration highlights how public-private partnerships can create lasting impact—not just in education, but in economic mobility and community health.
"We need centers like Middle Tyger not just here in Spartanburg, but in every community in our state," said State Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver, who attended the event. "We need it to help stabilize and strengthen those families, because the backbone of a strong school and a strong community, is a strong family."
Once open, the Center will offer not just early learning opportunities, but also adult education, family counseling, kinship caregiver support, and other services that align with District Five’s own mission: empowering families, building strong relationships, and preparing all children for a lifetime of learning.
With construction now underway, the Middle Tyger Education Center is expected to become a key hub for family support and educational readiness. The doors to the new facility are expected to open in August of 2026.
For more on the programs offered through MTCC or to learn how to support this initiative, visit www.middletyger.org.