11 Georgia Schools Certified for Exceptional Student Support

When school counselors at Durham Middle School noticed students missing too many classes, they didn't just send warning letters home. They visited every single classroom to teach kids why showing up matters, then partnered with parents to make it happen.

The result? Targeted students cut their absences by 36% and slashed course failures in half.

This February, 11 Cobb County schools received the Cobb School Counseling Comprehensive Model certification, a distinguished recognition that takes over a year of preparation to earn. During National School Counselors Week, district staff surprised counselors with the news that their innovative programs had qualified them for this five-year honor.

The certification recognizes counseling programs that excel at supporting students academically, personally, and in their career development. But what makes these programs special isn't the paperwork. It's the creative solutions counselors designed after digging deep into student data.

At Cooper Middle School, counselors noticed discipline referrals were derailing academic success for 7th and 8th graders. They introduced the Zones of Regulation program, teaching students calming strategies to manage stress. Discipline referrals for targeted students dropped 54%.

Dodgen Middle School took an even bolder approach. Counselors created Building Champions small groups to strengthen leadership skills and school connection. The program achieved a stunning 77% reduction in in-school suspensions.

At Lassiter High School, counselors spotted high-achieving 10th graders who weren't challenging themselves with rigorous courses. Through one-on-one meetings focused on confidence and growth mindset, they inspired a 210% increase in Honors and AP enrollment.

McCleskey Middle School counselors created the Dragon Behavior Academy after identifying students who needed better conflict resolution skills. In this safe space, students built trust and emotional well-being. Both discipline referrals and core class failures dropped by 50%.

The Ripple Effect

These aren't just impressive statistics. They represent thousands of students who gained tools to manage emotions, show up consistently, and believe in their own potential. When one student learns to resolve conflicts peacefully or discovers they're capable of AP-level work, that confidence spreads to classmates, siblings, and eventually their own children.

The certification validates what these counselors already knew: small interventions, delivered with care and backed by data, can change the trajectory of a student's entire life.

Eleven schools down, and the model is just getting started.