Academic Guidance Counselor for 9th Grade Success
ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:
By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes.
Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We believe students and teachers best succeed when surrounded by an ecosystem of supports, including our central headquarters team that supports KIPP DC’s 20 schools and two programs, 7,500 students, and 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Ninth grade is a critical year in each student’s PK-12 journey. KIPP DC seeks a 9th grade guidance counselor who is uniquely skilled and trained in adolescent development, understands the complexities, challenges, and opportunities of 9th grade students’ transitions to high school, and thoroughly enjoys working with 9th graders, their teachers, and their families. A 9th grade guidance counselor’s emphasis is on securing a strong start to high school academically and socially. This role is exempt and will report to the high school principal.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strong Academic Start to High School (75%)
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Collect, monitor, and manage data and information about students’ grades, attendance, work completion, and study skills to ensure students have every success possible starting high school; collaborate with the data team to create a data dashboard for 9th grade metrics of success
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Support summer bridge programming for incoming 9th grade students.
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Communicate regularly with students and parents/caregivers about students' progress academically; create action plans for students and design a tiered approach to parent/caregiver conferences to ensure each student has at least one academic conference in the first quarter and students who require more frequent touchpoints have consistent parent/caregiver outreach
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Create and execute on intervention systems of support to ensure students stay on track academically, which could include after school and weekend study hall, tutoring, etc.
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Collaborate with teachers to ensure students are clear about standards of course success
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Collaborate with the 9th grade teaching team to design study habits tools and organizational systems
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Monitor attendance as a contributing factor in grades earned
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Host student and parent/caregiver events emphasizing the importance of strong GPA and attendance; host weekly afternoon office hours
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Collaborate with teachers, mental health practitioners, school leaders, and the college counseling team
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Teach sessions for 9th graders on all topics within the scope of this position’s charge
Early College & Career Planning (20%)
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Implement college and career interest surveys to assist students in setting a path for high school academic and enrichment programming and post-secondary success; support the management of 9th-10th grade course requests
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Plan and execute on college tours and experiences for 9th graders; ensure each 9th grader experiences one college tour
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Support students in accessing programs like SYEP
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Design and execute on a KIPP DC-sponsored SYEP program to launch summer 2025
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Ensure each 9th grader has a road map for community service completion; progress monitor towards a goal that puts each student on pace to completion of community service by the start of the second semester of their senior year
General School Support (5%)
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Participate in regular extracurricular and family events as a member of the KIPP DC high school staff community
REQUIREMENTS:
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Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
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2-3 years of relevant experience required
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Experience with data collection, organization, management, quality control, and process documentation for multiple programs and/or large-scale projects
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Strong data analysis and reasoning skills to surface actionable insights and trends, including advanced proficiency with Excel and Google Sheets
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Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions and communicate decisions to key stakeholders
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Belief that every child can succeed
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Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP DC’s mission and to advancing its antiracist ambition through their work with staff, students, alumni, and families
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Strong interpersonal skills and ability to take initiative, work autonomously, receive feedback, and seek out creative ideas in order to problem-solve regularly
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Strong cultural competency skills, including the ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and cultivate relationships with many stakeholders and across differences
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Detail and results-oriented team player who is dedicated to getting the job done
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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Comfort with working in a fast-paced school environment along with an outstanding ability to multitask, prioritize, manage and execute projects at a high level
KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:
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When it comes to compensation, at KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. We look at compensation benchmarks in schools across DC. This role is exempt and salaries start at $86,238 and increase with years of experience. Please see the salary scale here (page 12 - Dean and Instructional Coach Scale). This position can earn up to $5,000 in renewal add-ons to their base salary each year they return to KIPP DC.
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KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer-paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
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KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
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Currently, individuals in this role have up to 10 paid sick days, 12 paid holidays, paid Thanksgiving week break, winter break, spring break, and part of summer break. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.
TO APPLY:
All interested applicants should visit online at https://www.kippdc.org/join-kipp-dc-team/apply-now/all-roles/, and click the job posting. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at careers@kippdc.org.
All interested applicants should visit online at https://www.kippdc.org/join-our-team/apply-now/, and click the job posting. If you have any questions, please contact us via email at careers@kippdc.org.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim or survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation, or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.
Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.
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