From the Student Services Support Staff: 

     As we begin the 2023-2024 school year, the Guidance Department at the Academy of Richmond County would like to welcome back all our students from what was hopefully a healthy, restful, and productive summer. Additionally, we would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our incoming freshmen and transfer students. We are glad each of you has chosen the Academy of Richmond County. We look forward to working with all of you throughout the year.  We strive for excellence, and in doing so, we hope to provide your students with the help and support that will ensure their educational needs are met, whether it is distance learning(E-School) or the transitional method of learning.  

     The philosophy of counseling at the Academy of Richmond County is that all students experience academics to their greatest individual degree and graduate college and career ready with a plan to fulfill their post-secondary goals.  The comprehensive, developmental curriculum provided through this program is designed to meet the identified needs of students in grades 9 through 12.  The program seeks to promote a positive school climate in which students feel safe, accepted, challenged, and encouraged. Counseling is concerned with the individual, and his or her spiritual, educational, vocational, personal, and social needs. It is a continuous (grades 9-12) process within the school. We view counseling as a team effort which consists of counselors, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents and students.

     Counselor Assignments are for targeted information and consistency amongst the cohort in the areas of academic, social, moral, and emotional issues a student may encounter.  It is imperative that you make an appointment to see your child's counselor unless it is an extreme emergency.  

• Patrice Gude --------  All  Grade Levels Last Name A-G
• Sonya Weaver ------- All  Grade Levels Last Name H-O
• Juretta Thomas ----- All  Grade Levels Last Name P-Z
• Danielle Hawkins -- School Social Worker
•  
• ARC Guidance Support Staff

•      Mrs. Denise Jenkins ----- Guidance Secretary
•      Mrs. Dorothy Johnson --- Registrar

     During the school year, a student may be asked to meet with his/her counselor for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the following:

• Academic: progress/difficulties

• College counseling and placement

• Student-Athlete: advice and monitoring

• Course selection and scheduling

• Dual Enrollment

• Social and Peer Issues 

• Depression, Stress & Anxiety

• Conflict Resolution

• GCIS/Career Counseling/You Science

• Peer Mediation

We look forward to the new school year, as well as meeting and seeing you at various guidance related functions we sponsor.  For a list of Calendar of Events, click on the Calender of Events tab each August of the new school year, scroll down to activity/workshop list (pending updates).    If questions, please contact us at ext 1571.  The Guidance Office Fax number is (706) 737-7155. 

 Every effort is made by the department to meet as often as possible with each student and be accessible to them at all times. Parents and guardians are also welcome to meet with the counselors via appointments to discuss any concerns they may have. If you would like to make an appointment with your son/daughter's counselor, please scan the barcode below.  

WE HAVE MOVED!!!

Due to construction, our offices have relocated to the far end of the school near the baseball field. We are in the process of moving in and preparing for the new school beginning. Be mindful that email and text REMIND are our best methods of communication right now and any questions about schedules should be handled through the drop/add link provided on the mail school page. IF you are participating in dual enrollment, it is important that you communicate with your counselor ASAP.

We have REMIND messages for students to keep up-to-date on various news from the Guidance Department.  Please Text 81010 and enter the codes below to access information from your assigned counselor:

Gude:    All Grade Levels Last Name A-G - @gude-ag

Thomas:   All Grade Levels Last Name P-Z  - @thomaspz

Weaver:   All Grade Levels Last Name H-O  -  @weaveho

SENIORS ONLY:         @sr2024arc

Dual Enrollment :      @4degrees

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Scan Barcode to schedule an appointment with your counselor!

  "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world."

                                                                                                  ~Nelson Mandela~