Washington Earns Program of Promise

Washington Middle School counselors earned the prestigious Program of Promise award from the Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA).

School counselors Sandra Gavin, Charles Gille, and Jessica McCullough make up the team at Washington.

The award is given to school counseling programs that meet or exceed the requirements in a submitted Wisconsin School Counselor Accountability Report (WSCPAR).

To be considered, the school counselor(s) must submit an accountability report fulfilling stringent data expectations. The peer-reviewed report illustrates the school counseling program's impact on students' academic, social-emotional, and career development.

Gavin, Gille, and McCullough will be recognized during the WSCA National School Counseling Week breakfast on Friday, February 6, 2026.

“All students benefit from comprehensive school counseling programs as they focus on supporting student academic achievement, school attendance, and behavioral growth," WSCA Executive Director Stacy Eslick said. "Completing and submitting a WSCPAR shows a commitment to advancing, creating, and maintaining a comprehensive and data-driven school counseling program."

The award recognizes the impact on students. During the 2024-2025 school year, the Washington Middle School counseling program supported eighth-grade students in successfully completing a course that counts toward high school credit.

The counseling team recognized students who were struggling academically with the course and implemented a targeted Academic and Career Planning intervention to help students identify barriers to success.

The counselors developed individualized plans to strengthen self-direction, motivation, and learning strategies. This resulted in a 35% increase in students earning high school credit while in middle school.