Guilford County Schools

Message from Superintendent Whitney W. Oakley, EdD

We are excited to be a proud partner district with DonorsChoose and build on a relationship that has enriched our classrooms since 2005.

This program empowers educators by providing them with the necessary resources to tailor their classrooms to their students – and our educators know their students’ unique needs better than anyone. DonorsChoose also creates an important bridge with our community and with public education supporters across the U.S.

Guilford County Schools is committed to ensuring all students graduate college, career, and community ready. We're grateful for this partnership and for the caring donors who help our school communities become stronger.

About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools’ mission is to graduate students as responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or in the careers of their choice. The district, located in central North Carolina, is the third largest in the state and one of the 50 largest in the nation.

Guilford County Schools (GCS) has 126 schools serving nearly 70,000 students. Our large county is a longtime refugee resettlement area, which is reflected in the 124 languages and dialects spoken in the district. Our children are very diverse: 71.5% identify as students of color and come to us from urban, suburban, and rural communities. Some 68% of our students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common indicator of economic disadvantage.

At GCS, learning is personal. We offer students 66 magnet and choice programs to meet a range of interests, including STEM, culinary arts, advanced learning, fine arts, foreign language concentration, and career academies aligned to local industries.

We believe that each student deserves to learn in a classroom of high expectations, engagement, and equity. We strive to teach our children that talent and ability are not fixed, but continuously growing, through challenge, effort, and feedback. This foundation guides GCS toward its vision to transform learning and life outcomes for all students.

We believe that DonorsChoose is a transformative opportunity for teachers and students. Thank you for taking time to learn about our fantastic students and dedicated teachers —and the innovative ideas they can achieve in their classrooms, thanks to your generous support!