Original Research by School Decision on Cedar Springs Academy
Cedar Springs Academy is a public special education school serving students from preschool through 12th grade in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It is part of the Deaf & Blind School, a state-operated agency funded through legislative appropriations rather than local property taxes, which means it is not a typical school district configuration. The school's mission is distinct from a neighborhood public school: it is designed for students with disabilities who require a specialized setting that a general education campus cannot provide.
The school is very small, with a total enrollment that places it among the smallest educational settings in Spartanburg County for its grade span. The student body is racially and ethnically diverse, with a mix that includes Black, Hispanic, White, Asian, and multiracial students. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is notably lower than what is typical for most public schools in the area. Because the school serves a special education population, data on students with individualized education programs (IEPs) and English learners are not reported in a way that would be meaningful for comparison.
State testing data is absent from the available records. This is common for a special education school of this type, as standard statewide assessments are often not administered to all students or are not reported at the school level. Any parent considering Cedar Springs Academy would want to discuss directly with the school how academic progress is measured for each student and what alternate assessments or benchmarks are used.
A graduation rate is also not reported. The school serves students through 12th grade, so some high school students are present, but typical cohort-based graduation metrics may not apply when students follow individualized pathways. A parent should ask about post-graduation outcomes, such as transition services, vocational training, or continuing education placements.
Cedar Springs Academy is located in Spartanburg, a mid-sized city that serves as the county seat and a regional hub for the Upstate. The local economy once centered on textile manufacturing but has shifted toward healthcare, higher education, and corporate headquarters, with a major BMW plant in nearby Greer. Downtown Spartanburg is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with a restored Morgan Square, murals, and a new minor league baseball stadium that opened in 2025. The housing market in the area is typical for the state. The school sits on Cedar Springs Road, on the eastern side of Spartanburg.
The district that oversees the school, the Deaf & Blind School, is a state-level entity rather than a locally governed school district. No recent curricular changes, bond referendums, or policy shifts were found in public records. The school's operations are stable and driven by state funding and special education mandates.
For a family considering Cedar Springs Academy, the central question is whether the school's specialized program matches a child's needs. The absence of conventional test scores and graduation rates is not a sign of weakness; it reflects the fact that this is not a general education campus. The school appears to serve a small, diverse population with a low-income eligibility rate that is well below most public schools, which may reflect the specific eligibility criteria for this type of placement. A parent would want to visit, speak with staff, and understand how the school addresses each student's academic, behavioral, and therapeutic needs within a setting designed for students who require more support than a standard school can offer.
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