If you have ever worked closely with an East High School counselor, you may not be surprised by the news that they are setting the standard for all school counselors.
East High School counselors have received the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation, one of the most prestigious national awards for school counseling programs. The Recognized ASCA (American School Counseling Association) Model Program (RAMP) honors schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to implementing school counseling programs aligned with the ASCA National Model framework.
The counselors applied for this recognition in October 2024 and were notified in January 2025 that they were close to the score they needed but earned POP (Program of Promise) instead. After working with a coach from the ASCA, they were notified in January 2026 that they had received the appropriate score, and East High was now a recognized school counseling program.
One large piece of this designation included an “Advisory Council” meeting which the counselors hosted twice a year. This meeting included East Principal, Mrs. Versteeg, an East parent, East teacher, student, and community member. Counselors felt it is essential to hear feedback from all networks because in the end it will help them grow as a counseling program but also benefit East students all the way.

“I felt like having a student on the advisory committee was very beneficial because I was able to provide perspective from the people who are actually using the tools the counselors provide. I was able to bring up how I felt about senior workshops and college visits and how having more would benefit East. I was also able to bring up how I felt like their team was working well with what they had implemented,” Senior McKenna Danielson said.
During the meeting, East ELL teacher Lisa Kebort was able to get clarity for her students not knowing the required credits that are needed for graduation, when she asked for a physical copy of a credit summary.
“I asked for a printed copy of the required credits to graduate because I said kids still don’t understand. They focus on the 23.5 number, they don’t get that if you have seventeen elective credits and zero English credits, you are not graduating,” Kebort said.
In a press release put out by DMPS, Versteeg acknowledges how hard the counselors have worked throughout to obtain this designation
“I am so fortunate to have a skilled and dedicated team here at East who are very deserving of this national recognition,” Versteeg said.
This recognition highlights years of purposeful, equity-focused efforts by the counseling team to develop a comprehensive, data-driven program that increases student access and improves meaningful outcomes.
In a press release, interim superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Matt Smith said, “The counseling team at East High exemplifies this commitment.”
Five other DMPS schools have implemented the RAMP counseling designation; these schools are; Hoover High School, Goodrell Middle School, and Madison and Wright Elementary Schools. Nationwide, more than 600 schools have earned this recognition since this program was launched.
“Receiving RAMP status is important not only for East students but for any school who has RAMP status because it shows that the school counseling department has kept what’s best for our students in mind,” East counselor Natalie Madsen said.
Counselors set aside two hours every Friday to move forward with this process, but as deadlines got closer, they spent as much time as needed.
“We are very intentional with our time, so it shows both students and staff and other counselors how we’re teaching our students and then what our students are getting out of it and what they are taking away to better students and just better humans in this world,” East counselor Mike Freund said.