Rita Silva-Ponds,
Counselor (A-La)
rsilva-ponds@cpps.org
Phone: 509-522-3312, ext. 4304

Sam Derting,
Counselor (Le-Z)
sderting@cpps.org
Phone: 509-522-3312, ext. 4007

Heidi Shumate,
Pathway Specialist
hshumate@cpps.org
Phone: 509-522-3312, ext. 4011

Edith Martinez
Pathway Specialist
emartinez@cpps.org
Phone: 509-522-3312, ext. 4016

Kassi Gutierrez
Gear-Up Coordinator, Class of 2026 and 2027
kgutierrez@cpps.org
Phone: 509-522-3312, ext. 4014

Abel Hernandez
21st Century After School Programs Coordinator for CPHS
ahernandez@cpps.org
Phone: 509-522-3312, ext. 4305

NEW: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial '988'

Risk Factors & Warning Signs of Suicide

Depression
National Institute for Mental Health

Anxiety
Anxiety and Depression Association of America

NEW Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Dial 988.

Welcome to the College Place High School Counseling Center. Our goal is to assist CPHS students & their families with social and emotional issues, work with the Pathway Specialists regarding scheduling, academic achievement, college preparation, or post-secondary options. To make an appointment with the counselor please see contact information below. Students may stop by any time & make an appointment.

Request for Letter of Recommendation

Transcript Request Form

Community Service Log

List of available Post-High School Scholarships

Mental Health Network of Walla Walla

SAT Testing 

PSAT Prep

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

ACT Test & Prep

College Place School District made a commitment to meet students needs and assist them in succeeding to graduation and becoming a productive citizen. In doing so, the College Place High School has hired Pathway Specialists for each grade level. This specific focus on each student creates stability, student knowledge and consistency for our kids here at College Place High School.

Pathway Specialists support students in much the same way a counselor would. They can advise them on our course offerings/registration, SeaTech, Running Start, and other programs.

Pathway Specialists also serve as academic support. Creating academic plans for students who are struggling in class, and working with students during Academic Lab, or during Hawk Time.

Pathway Specialists care deeply about the social emotional well-being of all our students and are a resource for students who need to talk to a trusted adult on campus. Often, and depending on the seriousness of the concern, our Pathway Specialists will loop in and partner with counselor Silva-Ponds or administration as well. 

Students and Parents - Please take a moment to check out the many scholarship opportunities available to CPPS students. Some opportunities start as early at 6th grade! This is a good way to begin to save for college!

Contact Mr. Derting for the CPHS Info and Scholarships Google Classroom.

If you want to create accounts with scholarship search engines you can do so at:
The Washboard
Big Future
Unigo
Chamber of Commerce Guide to College Scholarships
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Disclaimer: A scholarship application should never ask you for any money or credit card numbers and should never ask you for your or your parents full social security number!

Students who are in the graduating class of 2026 and 2027 are part of a Washington State University partnership and grant called "Gear-Up". Additional college and career resources are available to Gear-Up students. 

Our Gear-Up Coordinator is Ms. Kassi Gutierrez. She can be reached at kgutierrez@cpps.org or by phone at 509-522-3312 ext. 4014