250-to-1: That’s the ratio of students per school counselor that experts believe to be sufficient to meet students’ needs for critical social-emotional and academic supports.

And if you know what counselors do — if you know what students truly need — even that seems like a tremendously large ratio.

But, in reality, the average student-to-counselor ratio is nearly twice that — 464 to 1. And, what’s more, about 20 percent of students don’t have access to a school counselor at all.

The first full week of February is National School Counseling Week — a time to highlight and celebrate the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. At Graduation Alliance, we see every day the difference that school counselors make, particularly for students who are under-credited and running short of options, to catch up in time to graduate with their peers — or to graduate at all. 

“The passion they put in, the hours they put in, the thoughtfulness they give to every student — it really is inspiring,” said Greg Harp, Graduation Alliance’s chief development officer. “Counselors are often the first advocates for alternative pathways that are flexible and supportive, and they are also often the strongest champions of programs that don’t cut corners when it comes to rigor and meaningful educational experiences.”

To learn more about National School Counseling Week, visit www.schoolcounselor.org/nscw

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In everything it does, Graduation Alliance works for one common goal: creating opportunity through the power of education. To learn more, click here.