What Every Parent Should Know About Dunwoody High's Counseling Team
In this episode of the What’s Up Dunwoody podcast, host Matt Weber talks with head counselor Luke Ingram and fellow counselor Denise Spain about what makes Dunwoody High School’s counseling department so unique. Learn how their team helps students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially in one of North Atlanta’s most diverse public high school communities.
Who's Who in the Counseling Office?
First off, let me tell you — these folks are the real deal. I sat down with Luke Ingram, head counselor at Dunwoody High School (and conveniently, my neighbor), and Denise Spain, one of five full-time counselors who guide students through the high school journey. If your last name starts with a W like my son Micah, Luke’s your guy.
Here’s how the counseling caseloads shake out:
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Deanna deRoux: Last names A–C
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Rhashida Bunyan: D–J
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Samantha Wright: K–O
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Denise Spain: P–T
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Luke Ingram: U–Z, Dual Enrollment, Virtual Learning
Each student is matched with a counselor by last name and sticks with them all four years. That continuity means the counselors really get to know the kids—not just their schedules, but their goals, their worries, and what kind of candy cheers them up on a rough day (spoiler: it’s all of them).
And while she’s technically not in the counseling department, Ms. Wickman oversees all 504 plans, helping students who need accommodations thrive in the classroom【13†source】.
A Dunwoody Welcome for Private School Families
Here’s some real talk. A lot of Dunwoody families send their kids to private middle schools but come back to public high school for Dunwoody High. The jump from 50 kids in a grade to 600 is intimidating. That’s exactly the kind of thing the counseling team is ready to walk you through.
They have tailored support for students transferring from private schools, helping with everything from course selection to social adjustment. And they get it—the culture shock is real. Luke and Denise both emphasized how important it is to schedule a meeting early to smooth that transition. I’ll be doing that soon with Micah.
A High School That Reflects Dunwoody’s True Diversity
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was hearing Denise Spain talk about the diversity at Dunwoody High. This school is kids from every background and every walk of life, and the counseling department is committed to supporting every single one.
They’ve launched student-led initiatives like the Cares Club, which runs a food pantry and partners with Backpack Buddies to feed students on weekends. When a student needed slip-on shoes because of a disability, they made it happen. That’s the kind of wraparound care that can change a kid’s entire high school experience【13†source】.
Not Just Academics: Real-Life Support
High school counselors do more than help with college apps. The Dunwoody team supports students academically, emotionally, and socially. That means scheduling classes, yes—but also checking in on mental health, mediating peer issues, and helping teens deal with real life stuff.
The caseloads are big (about 450 students per counselor), but they make it work by keeping an open-door policy. As Luke put it, no two days are the same. One day might be college planning, the next might be helping a student in crisis. They see it all.
And when it comes to academic advisement? They’re pros. Whether your kid wants to dual-enroll, take online classes through Georgia Virtual School, or just survive 9th grade algebra, they’ll build a plan that works【13†source】.
High School Isn’t Like It Used to Be
Let me tell you, high school is way more complex than it was when we were in school. Denise reminded me that once kids hit 9th grade, every grade counts. There’s no social promotion anymore. Fail a class? It affects your GPA and your graduation timeline.
Freshman year is on your transcript, and if your child is taking high school courses in 8th grade, those go on there too. I just realized that the classes my 8th grader is taking will affect his college applications, and that's crazy we're there already. It’s a lot to think about. That’s why Denise and Luke urge parents to schedule those early meetings. They’ll help you map out a four-year plan and catch any issues before they become real problems.
A Heart for Service, A Plan for Every Student
One of my favorite moments was hearing how the team goes above and beyond. When Denise says Dunwoody is blessed with community support, she means it. Thanks to help from folks like Tracy Nash, the school’s registrar, they even secured a permanent space for the food pantry this year.
The team also works closely with post-secondary transition specialist Mr. Logan, senior advisors Terry Sanders, Patrice Goodlow, and Vickie Collins, and social worker Mr. Garner. It’s not just five people. It’s a whole web of support.
The Real Dunwoody Experience
The more I hang around Dunwoody High, the more I see what makes it special. It’s not just the new stadium (though that helps—shoutout to Coach Tom Bass and our Bring It Home episode). It’s the people showing up every day with big hearts.
We’re lucky to have folks like Luke and Denise, who see every student—whether they’re coming from Cornerstone Christian Academy, Dunwoody North, or halfway across the world. Dunwoody High School reflects the full picture of this city. That’s something worth celebrating.
Call to Action
If your family is relocating to Dunwoody or considering making the switch back from private school, schedule a meeting with your Dunwoody High counselor. They’re eager to walk you through what high school looks like today.
To get in touch:
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Visit the DHS Counseling Department site
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Or call 678-874-8532 to speak with someone in the office
And if you’re thinking about moving to Dunwoody, I’m around. Call me at 404-502-8683 or grab a time here.
Show Notes
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Meet Luke Ingram, head counselor for students U–Z
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Hear from Denise Spain, counselor for students P–T
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Overview of all five DHS counselors and support staff
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How Dunwoody supports students from private school backgrounds
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The diverse student population and community wraparound programs
About What’s Up Dunwoody
What’s Up Dunwoody is hosted by REALTOR® Matt Weber, spotlighting local businesses, events, and neighbors across Dunwoody, Georgia. Follow along at whatsupdunwoody.com for new episodes and community updates.
