Five Central Oregon schools have achieved a distinguished milestone in school counseling, earning the coveted Recognized ASCA Model Program, or RAMP, certification from the American School Counselor Association.

This national recognition underscores a commitment to comprehensive, data-driven counseling programs that support student success.

The honored schools include Redmond School Districts’ Sage Elementary, where counselors Faith Seals and Angie Chown work; and Obsidian Middle School, where counselor Shawn Diez and Hannah Imrem from student service are employed.

Other schools in the Sisters and Bend-La Pine districts were also celebrated. With this achievement, these five schools join a group of only seven other RAMP certified schools throughout the state and became the first 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’s national model. Schools earning RAMP status demonstrate a commitment to student-centered counseling in three critical areas: academic development, career readiness and social-emotional learning.

Achieving certification is a rigorous, multi-year process that requires schools to align their counseling programs, 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.”

The High Desert Education Service District brought in an ASCA trainer to educate school counselors across the tri-county region and provided technical assistance to help schools navigate the rigorous application process.

“This achievement is a testament to the high level of training and the exceptional dedication of our school counselors in Central Oregon,” said Boen. “To see not just one, but four schools successfully complete this process is phenomenal.”