Yorkville High School earns prestigious RAMP designation from the American School Counselor Association

Fewer than five percent of the counseling programs in Illinois schools have earned the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation. Yorkville CUSD 115 is proud to announce that Yorkville High School has joined this elite group as the latest school to receive this prestigious honor.

During the past five years, Yorkville High School’s student services team has modernized its four-year developmental guidance program to best meet our students’ post-secondary college and career needs,” said Superintendent Dr. Tim Shimp. “Notable increases have been seen in the on-time graduation rate, students’ FAFSA completion, and students’ completion of a viable post-secondary plan.”

The RAMP designation from the American School Counselor Association is an intensive process that identifies schools across the nation that have proven to deliver comprehensive, data-driven school counseling programs and exemplary educational environments to its students. Research findings indicate that fully implemented comprehensive school counseling programs are associated with a range of positive student educational and behavioral outcomes. Since 2004, only 63 Illinois schools have earned this designation.

“This year’s RAMP honorees have shown their commitment to students and the school counseling profession,” said Jill Cook, ASCA assistant director. “These schools used data to drive their program development and implementation so all students can achieve success. RAMP designation distinguishes these schools and encourages school counselors nationwide to strive for excellence.”

The RAMP application process is the culmination of the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program. Once a school has a program in place, at least one entire academic year is required to collect the data and information needed to fulfill the RAMP application requirements. RAMP applications are reviewed once a year by a panel of school counseling professionals, who assess the school counseling programs in 12 different areas of expertise. Once received, the RAMP designation is good for five years, after which time schools must reapply to maintain their RAMP status.

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) professional organization based in Alexandria, Va. ASCA promotes student success by expanding the image and influence of school counseling through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change. ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic achievement, career planning and social/emotional development to help today’s students become tomorrow’s productive, contributing members of society. Founded in 1952, ASCA has a network of 50 state and territory associations and a membership of approximately 36,000 school counseling professionals. For additional information on the American School Counselor Association, visit www.schoolcounselor.org.