A little rain did not stop a beautiful groundbreaking ceremony for the new Wellford Academy of Science and Technology recently! Joined by Wellford students and staff, Spartanburg District Five leaders celebrated a new campus for the district's oldest elementary school on Friday, April 14.

The ceremony began with Wellford students leading the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by cadets from Byrnes High School's JROTC presenting the colors.  A chorus of Wellford students then sang a beautiful rendition of the song "Possibilities", giving attendees a glimpse of the many possibilities the future holds for this new school. 

Principal Angie Showalter wrapped up the ceremony by presenting a time capsule, filled with items from current Wellford students, to be opened in 25 years on the new campus.  "In 25 years, we want people to be able to go back and look at what it took to have this happen and what it was like and get a feel for how excited everybody was," says Showalter.

District Five Superintendent Dr. Randall Gary, along with Board of Trustees members, then officially broke ground on the new campus, located directly behind the current school off Syphrit Road in Wellford.off Highway 29 in Duncan.  Representatives from Thompson-Turner Construction, along with LS3P Architects, who are both leading the project, were also on hand for the event.

Dr. Gary called it an "exciting day", as the project is one of seven to be funded by the passage of District Five's $295 million bond referendum in November 2021.

The 118,000 square foot school is being built right before Wellford students eyes', and will eventually house at least 600 students.   Plans for the school feature updated, larger classroom spaces that will focus on collaboration between students and teachers.  The new campus is scheduled to open at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.