Graduates who have earned a cumulative average of at least 3.500 in their work at Spartanburg High School will receive recognition at commencement. In order to qualify for recognition, students transferring to SHS must be enrolled in this school their entire senior year. Recognition: 3.000 - 3.499 GPR (no ribbon); Honor Ribbons: White - Cum Laude -3.500 - 3.999 (with honors), Gold - Silver - 4.000 - 4.499 (with high honors), and Blue - Summa Cum Laude - 4.500 or better (with highest honors).

The Scholars Academy is a dual credit program offered through USC Upstate. Students in eighth grade apply for acceptance into this program which allows one to earn approximately 60 hours of college credit while simultaneously completing high school diploma requirements. Students attend classes for part of the day on the USC-Upstate campus and then go to grade 9 for two periods per day and SHS for two periods per day in grades 10 - 12. Students who attend the Scholars Academy would be excluded from all SHS honors associated with class rank. Scholars Academy students cannot compete for valedictorian and salutatorian titles. (Note: Scholars Academy students may compete for the valedictorian or salutatorian of the Scholars Academy cohort at USC Upstate.) Interested students in the eighth grade should meet with their school's ninth-grade school counselor for specific details.

The Principal's Honor Roll is composed of those students that have received a grade of "A" in ALL courses. Honors and AP points are not considered.