Webpage banner showing clasped hands of a young person and an adult with text School Counselors on grey background

OUR MISSION:

School counselors, through collaborative efforts with parents/guardians and stakeholders, will establish nurturing relationships with all students and facilitate comprehensive data driven programs supporting academic, personal/social and career development.

Light blue background with text "I'm all in for building, an equitable, an inclusive school, because… every child deserves a school experience where they feel like a valued member of the community and have access to the resources they need to reach their full potential!"

Portrait of lead elementary school counselor Meredith Draughn

Meredith Draughn

Student Services Counseling Lead

(336) 570-6130 ext. 37860

The Difference Between a School Counselor and a Guidance Counselor

Guidance Counselor

  • Developed in the  mid 1900s primarily for vocational guidance

  • Not originally inclusive of or trained in effective prevention and early interventions to address social emotional needs or provision of mental health counseling and career guidance training was minimal

  • Guidance services provided to some students

  • Reactive, not data-driven

  • Average semester hour requirement for a master's degree in the 1970's - approximately 36 hours

School Counselor

  • Evolved over the years to be more comprehensive, collaborative programs based on identified needs and inclusive of prevention and early intervention services for every student in career, academic and social emotional growth and skills

  • Trained in human growth and development, individual and group counseling and counseling theories, social and cultural foundations, student appraisal, research and program evaluation, professional orientation, and career development

  • Average semester hour requirements for a master's degree in the 21st century - 48 to 60 hours

 Student Enrollment , Transfers, Graduation Requirements, & More

School Counseling Resources