The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has designated Charles Ellis Montessori Academy as a Recognized ASCA Model Program® (RAMP®). The RAMP® designation recognizes schools that are committed to delivering an exemplary school counseling program – the first in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.

Honorees are awarded for aligning their program with the criteria in the ASCA National Model®, a framework for a data-informed school counseling program. Since the program’s inception, more than 1,500 schools earned the RAMP® designation. Research findings indicate fully implemented school counseling programs are associated with a range of positive student educational and behavioral outcomes.

Kim McGuire, SCCPSS Executive Director of Student Support Services says, “This rigorous, national recognition indicates that through the school counseling program, the school counselors at Charles Ellis are consistently implementing the ASCA National Model framework which focuses on providing direct and indirect services to students, program planning and improved student outcomes as a result of the school counseling program.”

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

Charles Ellis Montessori Academy is among 208 schools nationwide to receive RAMP recognition in 2026, and stands out by being:

• One of 25 K–8 schools in the nation to earn RAMP in 2026.
• One of 12 schools in Georgia recognized this year.
• The only Georgia school outside the Atlanta metropolitan area to receive the honor in 2026.
• The only Montessori school in the United States to earn RAMP recognition in 2026.
• The first Chatham County school to receive this prestigious recognition.

Principal Patrice Prince alongside school counselors, Rebecca Burkhart and Ava Woodie attended the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) annual conference in New Orleans this week to receive the recognition.

The school counseling program at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy plays a vital role in helping every student thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This achievement underscores the school’s dedication to fostering a supportive learning environment where every student is equipped with the skills and opportunities needed for lifelong success.

RAMP recognition is awarded for five years and celebrates schools that use data to drive decisions, deliver evidence-based services, and continuously evaluate and improve their school counseling programs to meet students’ needs. For more information about the ASCA Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP), visit https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Recognition/RAMP.