The National Postsecondary Institute (NPSI) and Reach Higher announced the Moreno Valley Unified School District as one of six recipients of the first-ever Power of Hope Award. The award recognizes school districts that engage school counselors in leadership roles that effectively organize and implement grades 6-12 college and career postsecondary enrollment strategies.
“The Power of Hope Award is built on the belief that the nation’s economic growth is dependent upon continuing to get more low-income and predominantly minority students to and through college,” said Eric Waldo, Executive Director of Reach Higher and Chief Access and Equity Programs Officer at Common App. “We’re proud to partner with NPSI to recognize these 6 amazing school districts and the work their counselors are doing to change students’ lives.”
The Moreno Valley Unified School District has organized a postsecondary strategy around a PreK-12 college and career readiness framework. At the center of this work is the district’s focus on the role of the school counselor. Counselor work is organized around standards and there is strong collaboration between administrators and counselors. The district has organized structures and processes around the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) milestones and school counselors start in middle grades to make sure that all students know what they need. There is also strong collaboration between internal and external partners.
“We know what a critical role school counselors play in ensuring our students are on the path to college or successful career,” said Moreno Valley Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora. “We are honored to be recognized with the Power of Hope Award.”
“Our district has made sure that counselors play an integral role in our schools,” said Moreno Valley Unified School District Board President Darrell Peeden.
“We are proud to recognize school districts that have moved school counselors from the periphery of leadership into a centralized role, engaging them as data informed leaders who are empowered with resources to help all students receive the support and experiences to reach for an educational credential beyond a high school diploma,” said Joyce Brown, founding partner of NPSI.
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