Graduation Awareness - The Value of Education

What Is The Value Of Your Education?

The mission of Guilford County Schools (GCS) is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. 

GCS hopes all students experience success. One of the most powerful tools a person can have is a quality education, which can vastly improve your life. Without a high school degree, career choices and income potential are negatively affected. Today, approximately 84 percent of all adults ages 25 and over have a high school degree.

To be competitive in today’s workforce, a college degree is vital. In 2002, approximately 27 percent of Americans over the age of 25 had a college degree. In 1972, that number was only 12 percent.

What Is Your Earning Potential?

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, high school dropouts have the lowest earnings — approximately $19,000 a year. This is just $2,000 more than the poverty level for a family of four. High school graduates with no additional education earn an average of $26,200 a year.

People with an associate’s degree earn an average of $33,400 a year — $7,200 more than the average high school graduate and $1,900 more than the average full-time worker aged 18 and over. The kind of lifestyle you could afford on this income would depend on where you live, whether you are single or married and whether you have children. If you live somewhere other than a high-cost city, you could live in an apartment or house, own a car and cover other basic expenses. You could raise a family, especially if your spouse works too.

People with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $42,200 a year — $16,000 more than the average high school graduate. At this income level, you would be earning more than the average household income in the U.S., representing middleclass living.

How Can GCS Help You Be Successful In High School And Beyond?

GCS will help you strive, achieve and excel. Throughout the district, there are numerous resources available to encourage success and help all students graduate, including:

• Individual “Student Success Plans” in cooperation with teachers and school staff to support academic options like credit recovery as well as improve participation in school activities
• Parent conferences and home visits to involve parents
• Student support sessions like the “Why Try Program” to help students plan for their future
• Comprehensive registration process to assure course selection and preparation for pathways
• Increased access for students to SATURN program
• Increased use of retired teachers and college tutors during school hours
• More effective use of benchmark data and increased training for teachers on data
• Increased training for teachers on ways to differentiate lesson delivery
• Increased opportunities before school and after school for extra student help
• Saturday opportunities for small group work