Eligibility

The applicant must:

1. Be employed as a full-time, practicing school counselor on Oct. 1, 2026 and have completed at least three years as a practicing school counselor.
2. Hold a master's degree in guidance and counseling or equivalent and be certified as a school counselor by the state, district or U.S. territory.
3. Be an ASCA professional member as of Oct. 1, 2026.
4. Be submitted by a state school counselor association; and must reside and/or work in that state as of Oct. 1, 2026.
5. May not be a current member of the ASCA Board of Directors as of Oct. 1, 2026.
   
   *If an applicant's eligibility status changes after Oct. 1, 2026, ASCA reserves the right to withdraw the applicant from the School Counselor of the Year process.

Selection Criteria:

1. The applicant must demonstrate evidence of implementation of a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program (such as the ASCA National Model®) and have been responsible for school counseling innovations or further development of programs supporting students' academic, career and social/emotional development.
2. The applicant must demonstrate leadership and collaboration in his or her work and promote belonging and access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students to maximize student achievement. Applicants must also demonstrate collaboration with stakeholders. The activities or accomplishments recognized must have taken place within the previous five years.
3. The applicant must demonstrate continual professional development as well as proof of advocacy for the profession and/or students.
4. The applicant must have the ability and skills necessary to represent the school counseling profession in a professional manner, including but not limited to high-quality written communication and presentation skills.
5. The applicant should maintain the highest standards of personal conduct and recognize that his/her personal conduct is held up to public scrutiny. Applicants strive to be model citizens of their community as well as the school counseling community and their broader professional community. They maintain high moral standards in their personal and professional conduct.

All applications are screened for eligibility prior to review. All finalists agree to participate in ASCA-sponsored professional development activities including but not limited to webinars and podcasts.

ASCA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation or genetic information in any of its activities or operations.

The School Counselor of the Year and Finalists cannot benefit monetarily during the year of serving as the School Counselor of the Year or a School Counselor of the Year Finalist.

The applicant grants permission to ASCA and the state school counselor association to use the application packet to promote and advocate for the profession and associations.