Newark: KIPP Forward 12th Grade College & Career Match Counselor

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, 80 fifth graders walked through the doors of our first middle school in Newark, New Jersey and KIPP New Jersey has since grown to educate 8,135 students in grades K-12 across 17 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 provide a world-class education to over 10,300 students across fifteen schools in Newark and five in Camden. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

Job Description

Here's what you need to know:

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 trust 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. 

Here's what you'll be doing:

Outcomes

• College & Career matriculation and enrollment: students matriculate to and enroll in quality post-secondary programs, aligned with their long-term career goals
• Avoiding Undermatch: students matriculating to college matriculate to schools with high graduation rates, maximizing their likelihood of college completion
• Strong relationships: counselor has strong relationships with students
• Avoiding College & Career melt: students who matriculate to quality post-secondary receive the support necessary to avoid barriers to enrollment
• Early Applications: students with strong academic profiles apply early to selective colleges with quality applications, maximizing their likelihood of admission
• Financial Aid: students complete financial aid applications and steps necessary for matriculation to quality post-secondary programs

Match

• Conduct ongoing 1:1 check-ins (at least 2-3 per quarter) with caseload of 12th grade students (~80 students) to support them through the application process and to help them maintain momentum for a strong finish to their senior year
• Provide feedback on students’ writing and applications, levering strong editing skills to ensure students ultimately have quality applications
• Guide each student through the process of applying to “right fit” colleges and/or career programs using students’ balanced wishlists from 11th grade
• Maintain consistent engagement and partnership with families of 12th grade students
• Support students and families in filling out financial aid applications, scholarship paperwork, and applications to special programs such as EOF
• Complete Letters of Recommendation for students, and train teachers on writing quality recommendations
• Support students in preparing for and completing key application steps, including interviews and document submission
• Hold College & Career Decision meetings with students and families, sharing key information and guiding students and families in making decisions that are aligned with students’ passion/purpose/plan
• Support each student’s transition to college or their post-secondary pathway through the completion of pre-college & career benchmarks as well as matriculation checklist tasks (such as making their tuition deposit, engaging in loan counseling (if applicable), etc.)
• Support HS juniors in May and June with learning more about