Five Central Oregon schools have achieved a distinguished milestone in school counseling, earning the coveted Recognized ASCA Model Program certification from the American School Counselor Association.
This national recognition underscores their commitment to comprehensive, data-driven counseling programs that support student success.
The honored schools include Redmond School Districts’ Sage Elementary (counselors: Faith Seals and Angie Chown) and Obsidian Middle School (counselor Shawn Diez and Hannah Imrem from student services). In Sisters, Sisters Elementary and Sisters Middle School (counselors Kate Kuitert, Brook Jackson and Kelsey Jaeckel), and in Bend Caldera High School (counselors Morgan Davis, Lesley Zavala, Belle Hodgert, and Justin Calbreath). With this achievement, these five schools join an elite group of only seven other RAMP certified schools in Oregon. These five are the only schools east of the Cascades to receive the honor.
What is RAMP?
The RAMP certification is a prestigious national distinction recognizing schools that implement outstanding school counseling programs aligned with the ASCA National Model. Schools earning RAMP status demonstrate a commitment to student-centered counseling in three critical areas:
Academic Development – Helping students set goals, enhance study skills, and prepare for college or career success;
Career Readiness – Providing career exploration opportunities to ensure students are well-prepared for the future workforce; and
Social-Emotional Learning – Delivering counseling services that promote student well-being, personal growth, and mental health.
Achieving RAMP certification is a rigorous, multi-year process that requires schools to align their counseling programs with the ASCA National Model, utilize data-driven practices to measure and improve student outcomes, and provide comprehensive student support tailored to academic and personal success.
“RAMP is the gold standard for school counseling programs,” said Jim Boen, regional director of Mental and Behavioral Health for the High Desert Education Service District (HDESD). “It represents a deep commitment to helping students thrive, not just academically, but in their personal and future professional lives.”
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
This article appears in Source Weekly April 10, 2025.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
