About GCS

Guilford County Schools

GCS is celebrating great success, including achieving GCS’ highest-ever four-year graduation rate of 89.3 percent and being named a 2013 National District of Character, the North Carolina District of Character. In addition, the compassion and generosity of our students and staff earned GCS the 2013 and 2014 United Way Spirit of North Carolina Award.

Our incredible student achievements ranged from nationally recognized energy-conservation programs to launching science experiments into space. Nearly 1,000 students danced, acted, sang, painted and drew during the Summer Arts Institute.

Our employees have earned fellowships, state and national awards and we are ranked ninth in the country for the number of teachers with national board certifications. Ninth!

The 2013 North Carolina Teacher of the Year is a GCS teacher. The 2012 North Carolina Principal of the Year is a GCS principal.

GCS is achieving educational excellence, inside and outside the classroom. We are proud to be GCS.

In GCS, It’s Personal

GCS is the third-largest district in North Carolina, serving more than 72,300 students across 127 schools in urban, suburban and rural areas. But don’t let those numbers intimidate you. Our district is divided into four regions, each with its own regional superintendent, office and support staff to provide personal attention to our schools.

Because we are a larger district, we are able to offer opportunities that smaller districts, charter and private schools just can’t. We have 46 magnet and choice schools with 54 programs, from Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to performing or visual arts, advanced academics, Spanish immersion, Montessori, health sciences or aviation.

We also offer 192 Career and Technical Education courses in 50 schools, including programs in culinary arts, business, nursing, computers and automotive technology, among others.

High schools across GCS offer more than 30 Advanced Placement courses. These college-level classes prepare students for the higher-level courses they will take after graduating from high school and moving on to colleges and universities.

GCS also offers the prestigious International Baccalaurate program at four high schools – and it’s open to all students who qualify. Only a small number of districts in North Carolina are authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the Diploma Programme, and GCS has been a part of it since 1996.

Nine early/middle colleges allow students to earn up to two years of college credit while attending high school – and it’s free.

Personalizing learning is what we are all about, and we are committed to personalizing learning for each of our students. The Strategic Plan 2016: Achieving Educational Excellence: Personalizing Learning focuses on reaching each student at his or her academic or interest level, then providing the tools to move them ahead.