East High School Earns National Counseling Program Recognition

Des Moines school receives prestigious RAMP designation from American School Counselor Association

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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East High School in Des Moines, Iowa has received the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation from the American School Counselor Association. The RAMP designation recognizes the school's counseling program for aligning with the ASCA National Model and demonstrating a commitment to student support.

Why it matters

The RAMP designation is a prestigious honor that signifies a school's dedication to providing a high-quality, comprehensive, and data-driven counseling program. This commitment is likely to foster a more supportive and successful learning environment for students.

The details

East High School is now one of only six schools in Iowa to achieve the RAMP status after a rigorous, year-long evaluation process conducted by a national review panel. Four other schools within the Des Moines Public Schools district have also earned the RAMP designation: Hoover High School, Goodrell Middle School, and Madison and Wright elementary schools.

  • East High School will be formally recognized at the ASCA Annual Conference in July 2026.

The players

East High School

A high school in Des Moines, Iowa that has received the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation from the American School Counselor Association.

American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

A professional organization that represents school counselors and awards the prestigious RAMP designation to schools that align with the ASCA National Model and demonstrate a commitment to student support.

Des Moines Public Schools

The school district in Des Moines, Iowa that includes East High School and four other schools that have earned the RAMP designation.

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What’s next

As East High School prepares for formal recognition at the ASCA Annual Conference, it will be interesting to see how this achievement may influence counseling practices and student outcomes within the Des Moines Public Schools district.

The takeaway

The RAMP designation is a prestigious honor that highlights East High School's commitment to providing exemplary educational support and resources for its students. This achievement sets a high standard for counseling programs in the Des Moines area and demonstrates the value of comprehensive, data-driven approaches to student success.