Students are assigned to a specific counselor by a student's last name. School Counselors help support a student's academic learning and personal growth and development throughout their time in high school.
School Counselors work with students to promote social, emotional, and academic learning. We provide academic advising, monitor graduation and college requirements, help with planning beyond high school, and assist with social and emotional well-being. There are approximately 350 - 400 students on the School Counselor's caseload.
Please refer to the Contact Your Counselor tab above to get in touch with your School Counselor.
If you have any counseling questions about enrollment, scheduling, community service hours or transcripts, please reach out to the school counseling secretary at 707-792-4763.
School Counselor Appointments
Counselors are available to speak with students regarding academic and/or personal concerns. Students are invited to drop-in at lunch Monday-Friday for quick questions. For more in depth needs:
Students: find your counselor below by your LAST NAME and e-mail them in order to book an appointment.
Parents/Guardians: please email your student's counselor to request an appointment.
The College & Career Center (CCC) is also open at lunch for quick in-person questions or to pick up resources. Please stop by K-2!
Contact Your School Counselor
(Click on your counselor for more information)
Amber Bowman
Counselor: A - Cir
Linda Ruder
Counselor: Cis - Hac
Yodite Gebre
Counselor: Hai - Mer
Jamie DeFrank
Counselor: Mey - Rosa
Chris Nicolaou
Counselor: Rose - Z
Samantha Brown
Counseling Secretary: 707- 792-4763
Amber Bowman
Counselor: A - Cir
Get to know Ms. Bowman!
Outside of school, Ms. Bowman enjoys spending time at the softball field watching her daughters play. A favorite pastime that brings her great joy. If she could travel anywhere, she’d choose somewhere tropical with a beautiful beach. She loves Mexican food and is an avid fan of the Giants and the Niners. At home, her lively terrier mix, Reggie, keeps the family entertained with his endless energy and playful antics. To unwind, she enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, which always helps her relax and recharge.
Yodite Gebre
Counselor: Hai - Mer
Get to know Ms. Gebre!
Ms. Gebre loves a good rom-com and enjoys unwinding by binge-watching her favorite Netflix series. If she could travel anywhere in the world, Ireland, Greece, and Bali are at the top of her list. One of her favorite quotes is by Maya Angelou: “You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise.” At home, she spends time with her lovable treeing Tennessee brindle mix, Daisy. To relax and de-stress, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.
Jamie DeFrank
Counselor: Mey - Rosa
Get to know Ms. DeFrank!
Ms. DeFrank loves kickboxing and staying active outside of school, always enjoying the energy and focus it brings. Her favorite snack is shelled edamame, a satisfying treat she can’t get enough of. If she could have a superpower, it would be flying and explore a bunch of different places. When it’s time to unwind, she enjoys being a couch potato and binge-watching her favorite shows, savoring the chance to relax and recharge.
Chris Nicolaou
Counselor: Rose - Z
Get to know Mr. Nicolaou!
Mr. Nicolaou enjoys exploring new hiking trails and dreams of taking a backpacking trip across Asia to experience different cultures and landscapes. His favorite book series is A Song of Ice and Fire, and he loves eating tofu, especially when trying new recipes. A dedicated fan of the 49ers, he is also a huge metalhead and enjoys discovering new bands and attending live shows whenever he can. If he could have a superpower, it would be flying. There’s nothing like the idea of soaring above it all! While he doesn’t currently have any pets, he is a big dog lover, especially golden retrievers. To relax, he enjoys playing board games with his family, listening to music, and sitting in his rocking chair to unwind, appreciating the simple moments that bring him joy.
Samantha Brown
Counseling Secretary: 707- 792-4763
Get to know Ms. Brown!
Ms. Brown loves spending time at the lake swimming and wakesurfing. During the winter, she enjoys snowboarding, even though she’s still learning, she has a great time on the slopes. Her dream travel destination is anywhere tropical with warm weather, palm trees, and clear blue water. One of her favorite meals is a full Thanksgiving spread, so much so that she makes it several times a year. She lives by the motto, “Keep on keepin’ on.” At home, she has a 14-year-old dog named Diesel, who is an expert napper. When it’s time to relax, she enjoys taking a vacation to recharge and unwind.
The CCC is also open at lunch during the school year for quick in-person questions or to pick up resources. Stop by K-2!
2026-2027 Course Selection
Incoming 9th Grade Students
During the 8th grade year, Rancho School Counselors will be helping 8th graders with their 9th grade course selection at the 3 CRPUSD middle schools. School Counselors will give in-person presentations and on the second day hold workshops for picking classes at the middle schools. Parents/guardians will also be able to view the presentation via Parent Square and ultimately need to approve their students' selections in powerschool.
More information, including dates will be announced via your child's middle school after December.
(Please email your middle school counselor with any questions about any of this process.)
Current Students
Current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be choosing classes for the 2026-27 year during their 2nd period classes in February.
All students will view a grade-specific presentation from counselors regarding class selection, graduation requirements, and college requirements. Students will have a chance to review their transcripts. Credit recovery for classes needed for graduation and college will be discussed at this time.
Slideshow presentations and handouts students receive will be available for viewing mid February.
Course Catalog
Please refer to the 2026-2027 RCHS Course Catalog for descriptions of classes, CTE pathways, graduation requirements, college eligibility requirements and other important information.
(26/27 Course Catalog Coming soon!)
Check out your grade specific presentation to make sure you are on track for graduation and college; explore pathways at Rancho!
Important Information
RCHS Graduation/A-G (College) Requirements
What are high school graduation requirements?
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Graduation requirements are the classes, credits, and community service hours required to graduate high school and earn a diploma.
What are the minimum A-G (college) admission Requirements?
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The A-G/College Admission Requirements are a sequence of high school courses that students must complete (with a grade of a "C-" or better) to be minimally eligible for admission to the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), and most out of state or private colleges. To be competitive for admission, you should expect to do more than the minimum requirements.
Transcript Requests
What is it?
A high school transcript is a student’s official academic record of grades for courses completed. Students earn a grade and credits for each class they are enrolled in for all eight semesters while in a high school. Additional information is also on the transcript including gpa (grade point average) and graduation date. Use the links below for additional transcript information.
Why do I need it?
When a student is applying for a scholarship or award, they may be required to attach a transcript to their application. Transcripts must be submitted to a university before admission.
What is the difference between an Official Transcript versus an Unofficial Transcript?
An Official Transcript means the transcript is embossed and sealed in an envelope. Universities require official transcripts as does the NCAA Eligibility Center. An Unofficial Transcript is the same transcript, but that document is not embossed and not in a sealed envelope.
How to request your transcript:
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During the school year: please email Samantha Brown at Samantha_Brown@crpusd.org
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During the summer: please contact our district office at (707) 792-4700.
Community Service
Students can pick up a community service form from the Counseling Department, have it signed by the agency or official you work with, and return it to the Counseling Department to have their hours logged.
Letter of Recommendations
A letter of recommendation is written by a teacher, counselor, or another adult who knows you well. It highlights your strengths, skills, and accomplishments to support you for college applications, scholarships, jobs, or special programs. The letter explains why you would be a good fit and helps reviewers learn more about you beyond grades and test scores.
To request a letter of recommendation from your assigned school counselor, complete the Brag Sheet for your counselor and then send them a seperate email to let them know you’ve submitted it.
School Profile
A school profile is a snapshot of RCHS that colleges see along with students transcript when they apply to college. It shows your school’s grading system, the classes you can take, graduation requirements, etc. Basically, it helps colleges understand students achievements in the context of our school.
Check out RCHS's school profile below!
Counseling Presentations
Fall Video Presentations
Course Selection Presentations
Our Course Selection Presentation helps students make informed choices about their classes for the upcoming school year. It provides important information on graduation requirements, college and career pathways, and tips for selecting courses that support students’ goals and interests.
Resources
Our district connects students and families with trusted community resources that provide support beyond the school day. These include mental health services, crisis and suicide prevention hotlines, counseling programs, family support services, and other helpful community organizations. These resources are available to support students and families with the challenges of adolescence, high school stress, mental health concerns, and life outside of school.
These resources can be found on the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District website at www.crpusd.org under the “Family Resources” tab. Families are encouraged to explore and use these supports whenever additional help is needed.
Homework Help with Tutor.com
Sonoma County Library cardholders have free online access to Tutor.com. Tutor.com’s expert tutors offer one-on-one, real-time tutoring in over 40 subjects and test preparation
areas.
Connecting with an online tutor is easy and free. You just need a library card and a computer or mobile device with internet
access.
Live one-to-one help is available 1-10 pm (Sunday to Saturday). SkillsCenter resources are available 24/7.
Tutoria a tu disposition, en linea con Tutor.com
Math Tutoring on Wednesdays in the RCHS Library
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Before School: Wednesdays from 7:30 am to 8:25 am
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During 4th Period: Wednesdays from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm ((only if you have a free period)
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After School: Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
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Sign up for tutoring here: Sign-Up Link