The Ewing Marion Kauffman School is a free, public charter school serving more than 1,000 students in 5^th through 12^th grades. Focused on student achievement and strong character, the school’s mission is summarized in three words: create college graduates. The school serves a student population of which 87% qualify for free and reduced lunch and 90% identify as students of color. Students are accepted by a lottery that prioritizes the six highest-need zip codes within the district.

Students entering Kauffman School in fifth grade typically scored in the bottom third of the state on their fourth grade exams. After four years at Kauffman School, 8^th grade students score at the very top in state exams; in 2015-2016 Kauffman School 8^th graders ranked #1 in math, #3 in science, and #12 in ELA in the state of Missouri. Our founding freshman class was the #1 ranked district in Biology and the #2 ranked district in Algebra on Missouri’s end of course exams. These results have allowed us to create a high school that offers AP courses for all students, meaning 100% of students participate in AP courses by the time they graduate from our high school.  

In 2015, the Kauffman School was recognized as Missouri Charter School of the Year. In 2016 and 2017, the Kauffman School earned a perfect score on its statewide Annual Performance Rating, one of only 7% of districts statewide to do so. In 2017, Teach For America named the Kauffman School a School To Learn From. Additionally, the Kauffman School became the first charter network outside of New York City to earn the top tier “Platinum” rating from the Leverage Leadership Institute, an extension of the Relay Graduate School of Education. Our school and student results demonstrate our students’ incredible brilliance, passion, creativity, and work ethic. Kauffman School students are empowered by their identities and place in the community and develop a critical consciousness of the world around them. Kauffman School staff actively partner with families to be a school, not just in the community, but of the community.

Kauffman School is seeking a highly effective College Counselor to join its team of committed educators willing to do “whatever it takes” for students to succeed. Kauffman School staff believes all students can meet high academic expectations in the right school environment. The College Counselor works to provide a seamless transition from high school to college by providing students and families with the tools, resources and opportunities for them to be competitive and ready for the college application and matriculation process.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

College Preparation

• Educate students, families, and team members about basic requirements to be admissible to college for in-state four-year programs, selective four-year programs, and two-year programs
• Support students in creating individualized college plans based on student data and student and family preferences for college options, including setting goals for GPA and ACT based on current standings and long term goals
• Ensure that 100% of seniors sign up for and complete the ACT until they reach their goal
• Counsel each student to identify the right list of reach, match and safety schools
• Educate families about the application, admissions and enrollment processes. Help families prepare organizationally and emotionally well in-advance
• Work with senior advisors and teachers to develop and implement college preparation curriculum that will teach non-academic skills needed to be successful in college

College Applications and Enrollment

• Create programming differentiated to address the needs of students prepared for in-state four-year programs, selective four-year programs, and two-year programs
• Support students in collecting and crafting documentation needed for college applications: score reports, transcripts, personal statements and other supplemental documents as needed
• Work to prepare students eligible for multicultural school visits and scholarships provided through community based organizations (CBOs like Posse, Gates, and Questbridge) for successful interviews and visits
• Ensure students complete 100% of their applications
• Support teachers and advisors in writing meaningful recommendations for students applying to schools where recommendations are needed
• Work with students to ensure that once a college is chosen, all forms and fees – housing application, enrollment form, etc. – are turned in on time for 100% of students

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Educate students and families about the financial aid application process and the range of finances they can expect to encounter with the different schools to which they have applied
• Work with families to ensure all students apply for the FAFSA successfully. Ensure all colleges receive financial aid information and that all students accept their financial aid packages in a timely manner
• Build relationships with financial aid offices at colleges and universities where students will attend to facilitate a smooth enrollment process for 100% of students

External Stakeholder Management

• Build relationships with admissions officers from in and out-of-state schools to which our students will apply; arrange visits and presentations for those schools on campus
• Create a college profile to disseminate within NACAC, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and build relationships there to build our brand among colleges who are recruiting
• Build relationships with admissions officials at state and private universities expecting applications to facilitate completed applications
• Work with colleges with multi-cultural visit programs and with other scholarship programs, including Posse, Questbridge, and Gates to ensure they consider our students
• Continue to maintain relationships with admissions officials and officers to advocate for students through their application processes

Building School Culture

• Believe deeply in the mission of the Kauffman School and that all children can meet high academic expectations
• Discuss, celebrate, and reinforce the school’s PREP (Perseverance, Results, Empathy, Passion) values
• Implement school-wide behavior management system consistently with all students
• Embrace feedback and constructive criticism in the spirit of constant improvement
• Demonstrate maturity, humility, professionalism, confidence, and a strong work ethic inside and outside the classroom

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
• At least three years of relevant experience working with low-income, minority, or historically underachieving students (Preferred: experience teaching in an urban high school and/or multicultural admissions experience)
• At least two years of relevant experience coaching and mentoring students on college application, matriculation and persistence

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Able to build positive relationships with students, families and colleagues
• Commitment to and complete belief in the Kauffman School’s mission to create college graduates as well as in the School’s organizational success
• Personality should project enthusiasm, professionalism and a high level of credibility
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in the face of competing demands and external pressures
• Ability to take feedback well and implement changes immediately
• Ambition and desire to grow and to work both autonomously and collaboratively
• Commitment to getting the job done right and willingness to do whatever it takes to create and maintain an orderly, effective school organization
• Acute attention to detail coupled with the ability to think and act strategically
• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues and community members
• Must have a strong personal value system that encompasses high integrity, honesty, a solid work ethic, high professional standards and strong moral character

This role requires the a bility to work at the location as assigned by the School (e.g., on-site or remote) and the ability to accept re-assignment to an alternative work location as determined by the School. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Kauffman School offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with relevant experience and anticipated duties and responsibilities, including comprehensive health benefits

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should complete a formal application through the Kauffman School Careers page at  http://www.kauffmanschool.org/.  In your cover letter please address the following topics:

• Describe a time and the specific action steps you took when working with students to set and achieve a counseling goal
• Highlight your experience working with low-income, minority, or historically underachieving students
• Provide specific evidence of your alignment with the Kauffman School’s missions of “creating college graduates” and/or the Kauffman School’s PREP Values (Perseverance, Results, Empathy, Passion)

The Kauffman School is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming people to flourish in an open and inclusive work environment. A diverse pool of candidates is welcomed and encouraged.