9th - 11th grade KIPP Forward Counselor - Newark

Company Description

About KIPP New Jersey

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate 7,035 students in grades K-12 across 15 schools in Newark and Camden. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. 

By 2025, KIPP New Jersey will have fifteen schools in Newark and five in Camden providing a world-class education to over 10,300 students. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

Job Description

At KIPP NJ, our mission states that we prepare our students to change the world.  We believe that, for most of our students, a Bachelor’s degree is the stepping stone for students to pursue professional and personal success. We also believe that this is not the only path to professional and personal success, and are committed to supporting 100% of our students, including those who choose a non-college post-secondary pathway. We believe in career exploration and exposure throughout high school so all students leave with a strong sense of their passion, purpose, and plan for a strong start in college or a progressive professional pathway of their choosing. We know that truly preparing students for college and career requires an intense focus on student GPAs and ACT results, experiential learning opportunities such as summer programs and dual enrollment courses, excellent college & career counseling, and strong relationships with and programming for students and their families.  

The College & Career Match Counselor’s job is to support a college and career-ready trajectory for our students. We expect our Match Counselor to build strong and trusting relationships with students, and use effective advising skills to support students in taking all necessary steps to graduate from high school and ultimately matriculate to a post-secondary program of highest aspiration.

METRICS OF SUCCESS     

Outcomes:

• Relationships: counselor builds strong, trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues
• Strong GPAs: students understand the importance of GPA and are striving to reach GPAs that allow them access to strong postsecondary options
• On-Time Graduation: students are on track to graduate high school on time
• Experiential Learning: eligible students participate in experiential learning opportunities, including dual enrollment, pre-college summer programs, and internships
• College & Career Wishlists: students in 11th grade create college and career wishlists aligned with their desired, quality postsecondary pathway

ESSENTIAL DUTIES &  RESPONSIBILITIES

Advising:

• Conduct ongoing 1:1 check-ins with identified cohorts of students in grades 9 - 11th to assess their passion, purpose, and plan
• Guide 11th-grade students through the process of creating a strong, balanced wishlist that is aligned with their individual interests and takes their academic profile into consideration AND uses it as motivation to positively impact students’ academic profile for the remainder of the year
• Maintain consistent engagement and partnership with families of 11th-grade students

Student & Family Programming:

• Coordinate school-wide college and career exposure events (special programming days, family night, etc) in collaboration with  KF team
• Plan and lead college visits and workshops in collaboration with KF team
• Plan and lead workshops for families on the essential topics related to high school and postsecondary success in collaboration with KF team
• Plan and lead workshops and small group advising sessions for 9th and 10th-grade students focused on building key College and Career knowledge, skills, and beliefs

Data Management:

• Track meeting notes and student data - both qualitative and quantitative - consistently and accurately
• Analyze student academic data to drive action planning and support plans
• Present key data trends to school staff and Regional Director of Match

ACT:

• Manage accommodation request process through Learning Specialist Coordinator
• Oversee execution of interim ACT testing in 9th and 10th grade in conjunction with AP/SL
• Oversee execution of ACT prep in 11th grade in conjunction with AP/SL
• Collaborate with ADSO and Assessment coordinator for practice ACT exams

College & Career Prep:

• Coordinate with CCR t