East High School Earns National Counseling Excellence Recognition

East High School in Des Moines, Iowa, has received the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) for its comprehensive school counseling program. This recognition highlights the school’s commitment to providing a data-driven and supportive educational environment for its students.

What is the RAMP Designation?

The RAMP designation is awarded to schools that align with the criteria set in the ASCA National Model. Schools earning this designation demonstrate a commitment to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program and fostering an exemplary educational environment. The application process is rigorous, requiring a year-long effort to collect data and document program alignment with the ASCA National Model. Des Moines Public Schools announced the achievement.

East High’s Counseling Program

East High School’s counseling department offers resources and support to students and families in academics, college and career planning, and social-emotional well-being. The department’s website provides information and contact details for each counselor, organized by student last name.

A District-Wide Commitment to Counseling

East High is not the only school within the Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) to achieve this honor. Hoover High School, Goodrell Middle School, and Madison and Wright elementary schools have also earned the RAMP designation. According to Erin Cavazos, K-12 School Counseling Coordinator at DMPS, this achievement reflects the district’s dedication to creating supportive educational environments and promoting student success through exceptional counseling services.

Comprehensive Student Support at East High

East High School, serving over 2,400 students, utilizes a comprehensive student support team. This team includes five counselors, five administrators, a behavior specialist, a social worker, a community-school coordinator, and an at-risk coordinator. The team collaboratively develops and implements interventions based on data from various sources, including the district’s early indicator system, BrightBytes, and Infinite Campus.

National Impact

Nationwide, more than 600 schools have earned the RAMP designation since the program’s inception. East High School will be formally recognized at the ASCA Annual Conference in July.

Key Takeaways

• East High School has earned the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation for its counseling program.
• The RAMP designation recognizes schools committed to comprehensive, data-driven counseling programs.
• Des Moines Public Schools has a strong commitment to counseling excellence, with multiple schools earning RAMP recognition.
• East High’s student support team utilizes a multi-tiered system to address the needs of over 2,400 students.