SC Biz News Top Projects 2025 – Wellford Academy of Science and Technology

Spartanburg School District 5 completed construction of the Wellford Academy of Science and Technology in August 2024, delivering a 126,867-square-foot elementary school designed to serve grades PK-5. Located at 684 Syphrit Road in Wellford, the $46.4 million facility represents a significant investment in the district’s educational infrastructure.

Thompson Turner Construction tackled substantial site challenges on the 32-acre property, which required 29 acres of construction area behind an existing occupied school. The team constructed a 20-foot-tall, 750-foot-long retaining wall to accommodate 70,000 cubic yards of import fill, creating a stable foundation for the two-story structure. The active school environment necessitated installing new stacking lanes first to redirect traffic and maintain safety separation during construction.

LS3P architects designed the building with load-bearing CMU walls and structural steel roof structure, incorporating a two-pipe fully welded HVAC system. Interior finishes include terrazzo, LVP and sports flooring throughout the facility. The science-centered design features themed corridors for each grade level with corresponding colors, creating environmental graphics that help orient younger students while fostering community identity.

The project addressed multiple complexities including high-power transmission lines, regulatory easements and the challenge of fitting ground-floor programs like the gymnasium, cafeteria and early elementary grades within site constraints. Engineering support came from Crow & Bulman for mechanical and electrical systems, Budette Engineering for electrical work and Seamon Whiteside for civil engineering.

Built with a 50-year lifespan expectation, the school joins Abner Creek Middle School and Tyger River Elementary School as part of the district’s architectural family.