Welcome to the Castle Rock High School Counseling Program!

Our mission is to provide a comprehensive, data-driven counseling program that equips all students to become resilient learners and responsible citizens in our diverse world. Our dedicated counselor collaborates with students, parents, staff, and the community to address academic, social/emotional, and college/career needs. Castle Rock counselors are committed to advocating for equity and ensuring every student’s success.

Together, we’ll navigate the path through high school and beyond, empowering students with the skills they need to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s journey.

Programs & Plans

Ignite Open Doors is a re-engagement program that provides education and services to youth who are significantly credit deficient or are more than one year past their original cohort graduation date.

Castle Rock High School is partnering with LCC to offer the Ignite program, which makes a GED, HS Diploma, and vocational training available to eligible students in need of re-engagement.

Open Doors reengages disconnected youth through programs that:

  • Create multiple pathways for students to realize success
  • Provide an on-ramp to post-secondary achievement through a performance-based, individualized support model.
  • Offers flexibility to complete classes morning, afternoon, evening or online.

To Qualify for an Open Doors Program:

  • Students must be between 16-21 years old
  • Students must NOT have earned a high school diploma
  • Students need to be significantly credit deficient OR more than one year past their original cohort graduation date

To see if you qualify, please contact your school administrator or counselor.

Running Start is a Washington State program that allows current high school 11th and 12th-grade students to take college courses at Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges. Students earn both high school and college credits for these courses.

Running Start students and their families do not pay tuition. They are responsible for mandatory fees, books, and transportation. Students receive high school and college credit for these classes, accelerating their progress through the education system.

  • You must be a Junior or Senior as determined by your high school and/or school district.
  • You must be currently enrolled in a Washington State public high school.
  • If you are home-schooled or in a private school, you will need to enroll in your district public high school.
  • Students must submit an LCC Admissions Application and a Running Start Application.

A 504 plan outlines specific accommodations, modifications, and support services that are provided to students with disabilities to ensure they have equal access to education. Unlike an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is designed for students with more significant disabilities who require specialized instruction, a 504 plan is for students who need reasonable accommodations to access and participate in the general education curriculum.

Some common accommodations outlined in a 504 plan include extended time for tests, preferential seating, note-taking assistance, use of assistive technology, modified assignments, and more.

The goal of a 504 plan is to provide a supportive educational environment that allows students with disabilities to participate and succeed in school alongside their peers fully. It’s important to note that the specific details of a 504 plan can vary depending on the individual needs and circumstances of the student.

To evaluate your student for a 504 plan, you need to follow these steps:

  • Gather documentation of your student needs, such as medical diagnosis, grades, and any private evaluations that have been done.
  • Send a request in writing to the school 504 coordinator, Mr. DeGraaff.
  • Upon receiving your request, school officials will review the documentation as well as collaborate with your student’s teachers.
  • If your child qualifies for a 504 plan, they will work with you, the student, and the teachers to create the best accommodations for your child.

Meet Mr. DeGraaff

Hi! My name is Garrett DeGraaff. This is my second year as the school counselor here at Castle Rock High School. Before this, I worked at Woodland Middle School for seven years. I graduated from Eastern Washington University with my bachelor’s degree and George Fox University with my master’s in School Counseling.

My wife and I have three kids. We have lived in Castle Rock for the past six years. I’m excited to be able to work in the same community that we are raising our family in. I look forward to getting to know everyone and building quality relationships with staff, students, and families going forward.

Request a meeting with the Counselor

If you need to see Mr. Garrett DeGraaff, please click the button below and fill out the Google Form. He will call you to his office when he is available.