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Portrait of a GCS Graduate: Wisdom for the New Year

January is a time of renewal. It is a time to start fresh, dream big and for students to finish the remainder of the year strong.  

At Guilford County Schools (GCS), January marks a renewed commitment to preparing students to tackle the challenges of an ever-changing world, and GCS students are evidence of that commitment. They graduate as responsible citizens and step confidently into the future as leaders, innovators and community members equipped with all the tools they need to succeed.  

Throughout 2025, GCS will illustrate the vibrancy, complexity and exceptional abilities of GCS graduates. Students and alumni will share their Guilford Experience to inspire the next generation of learners to dream boldly and achieve greatly while reminding parents, teachers, and staff of the critical role they play in shaping these outcomes. 

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Our History

Paving the way for the future 

Over decades and centuries, Guilford County has pushed through challenges to come together for the education and betterment of our entire community — and for that, we are stronger than ever.

From the early days of our state and nation, public education has played a vital role in American democratic society. Before a system of public schools emerged, children were educated through a disconnected and inconsistent collection of private institutions often made possible by churches, charities or community and parent groups. This disjointed approach to schooling resulted in overwhelming inequities that have taken decades and centuries to overcome. 

A look through our history as a public school district shows much effort, transformation and growth over time. In more recent decades, as we have worked together to educate, serve and support all children across the county, we have become, without a doubt, Better Together. Guilford County Schools is now a thriving, nationally leading public system of education, serving every kind of learner and a multitude of ways — all while consistently earning top honors for having some of the best schools in the state and nation for academics, programming, character and service.

A Timeline of Public Schools in Guilford County

Bibliography


Arnett, Ethel Stephens. For Whom Our Public Schools Were Named, Greensboro, North Carolina. Greensboro, N.C.: Piedmont Press, 1973.

Batchelor, John E. The Guilford County Schools: A History. Winston-Salem, N.C.: John F. Blair, 1991.

Chafe, William H. Civilities and Civil Rights: Greensboro, North Carolina, and the Black Struggle for Freedom. Oxford University Press, New York, 1981.

Greensboro Historical Museum. 130 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. Phone: (336) 373-2043.

Guilford County Schools. 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, N.C. Phone (336) 370-8100.

 

Annual Reports 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016.

Hawkins, K. & Dowell, C. “Desegregation and Integration of Greensboro’s Public Schools, 1954-1974,”Retrieved from www.uncg.edu

High Point Enterprise. 210 Church Avenue, High Point, N.C. Phone: (336) 888-3500.

News and Observer, “School Mixing Total in 43 NC Counties,” August 8, 1968.

High Point Museum. 1859 East Lexington Avenue, High Point, N.C. Phone (336) 885-1859.

Love, Bayard. “Groundwater Analysis: Examining the Prevalence of Racial Inequity in Guilford County Schools.” Prepared for the Guilford County Board of Education’s Achievement Gap Committee.  Greensboro, NC, 2017.

News & Record (Greensboro). 200 East Market Street, Greensboro, N.C. Phone: (336) 373-7000.

Noble, M.C.S. A History of the Public Schools in North Carolina. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 1930.

Pierce, Michael G. History of the High Point Public Schools 1897-1993. Charlotte, N.C.: High Point Public Schools, 1993.

Stockaru, Sallie W. The History of Guilford County. Guilford College. 1902.

Tabor, Mary B.W. “In Era of Smaller Schools, One County Finds Improvement From Consolidating.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 June 1996, www.nytimes.com/1996/06/12/us/in-era-of-smaller-schools-one-county-finds-improvement-from-consolidating.html.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Civil Rights in Greensboro, www.uncg.edu