Guilford County Schools Gains Momentum in Student Outcomes

Guilford County, N.C. – Guilford County Schools (GCS) continues to accelerate student success, celebrating strong academic gains across the district.  

Wednesday, the district celebrated its academic gains while outlining what it will take to continue to help students succeed and graduate prepared to thrive. A few highlights include:  

• Early Literacy: Every student group showed double-digit percentage point increases in early literacy skills as measured by the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS). 

• Math Recovery: GCS students outpaced statewide recovery in math for grades 3-8, with Math 3 scores surpassing pre-pandemic levels.  

• Gradation Success: GCS achieved a 92.1% graduation rate, maintaining a 10-year streak of outpacing the state average (87.7%) and other large districts. Also, for the second year in a row, the district reached its highest-ever graduation rates for Black students and students with disabilities. 

• Broad Academic Gains: End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) results showed gains across grade levels, subjects and student groups.  

• Widespread Progress: The district saw increases in 13 out of 18 tested areas compared to last year with the largest gains – ranging from three to 10 points – in 3rd grade math, 4th grade reading, 5th grade reading, and 7th grade reading. 

• Academic Growth: 77% of schools met or exceeded expected growth in 2024-2025, an increase of four percentage points over pre-pandemic levels in 2018-2019. 

Continuing What Works  

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is offered in every traditional middle and high school with more than 60 pathways and nearly 24,000 students participating. Industry-recognized credentials earned by students have surged from fewer than 3,000 in 2020–21 to 12,583 in 2024–25, a five-year increase of more than 324%. Each credential represents a skill, certification or a real-world qualification that equips students with skills and preparation for the workforce and postsecondary success for college, career, the military and beyond.  

Beyond coursework, another powerful way we measure college readiness is through how well our students are preparing financially for life after graduation. The graduating class of 2025 earned more than $233 million in scholarships, the highest in district history. That’s a sharp increase from $183 million in 2023, reflecting both stronger student preparation and expanded access to postsecondary opportunities. 

“We are seeing real progress for our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley. “From early literacy to high school graduation, our students are prepared and achieving at higher levels. This is a testament to the hard work of our educators, families, and students.” 

You can review a copy of the accountability report here.