KIPP Massachusetts
Job Title: Director of College Counseling
Reports to: KIPP MA School Leaders and Director of KIPP Through College
Who we are.
KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) is a national network of free, open-enrollment, public schools that are
successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills,
character, and habits needed to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond. There are currently
183 KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia serving 70,000 students. Today, KIPP
Massachusetts serves over 1400 students in our five schools in Boston and Lynn and almost 400 alumni on
their journeys to and through college with our KIPP Through College Program.
What we do & why it matters.
Nation-wide, only 10% of students from low income communities like Lynn and Boston graduate from
college, compared to 84% of their more affluent peers. Preparing our students for successful lives of
independence and impact drives the work of all KIPP school leaders, teachers, and staff. Nationally, KIPP
alumni graduate from college at 4 times the national average, which is good, but not good enough. We
project our Class of 2015, the first to benefit from a 5-12 KIPP education, will graduate from college at 5
times the national average. Our goal is for 75% of our alumni to graduate from college.
Our Schools.
KIPP MA serves over 1,400 students at five schools in 2015-16. KIPP MA will serve over 1,600 students at five
schools in 2016-17.
In Lynn, MA, we are building a K-12 education system across three schools. We currently serve students in
grade K at KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary School, in grades 5-8 at KIPP Academy Lynn Middle School, and in
grades 9-12 at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate High School. We are excited to build our Lynn elementary
school to serve grades K-1 in 2016-2017 and grades K-4 by 2019-2020.
In Boston, MA, we are building a K-8 education system across three schools. We currently serve students in
grades K-1 at KIPP Academy Boston Elementary and in 5-8 at KIPP Academy Boston We are excited to build
our Boston elementary school to serve grades K-2 in 2016-2017 and grades K-4 by 2018-2019.
Across all our schools, 84% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, 14% receive Special Education
services, and 20% are identified as English Language Learners. At KIPP, we believe that all kids can and will
learn, and our staff members are dedicated to ensuring we serve the needs of all our learners. We are at our
best when we are engaging students’ joy and curiosity through rigorous curriculum that will put them on the
paths toward lives of independence and impact.
By 2020, KIPP will serve 10% or more of Lynn public school students and join our charter peers in Boston to
serve 20% of Boston’s public school students. We will also scale our KIPP through College (KTC) program to
serve 857 alumni by 2020, effectively tripling the total number of students served by KIPP Massachusetts.
Work Hard. Be Nice.
Director of College Counseling
The Director of College Counseling is responsible for developing and managing a college counseling
program that will ensure that every KALC student has access to knowledge and information that will allow
them to enter a four-year university/college or alternative post-secondary plan. The Director of College
Counseling will maintain KALC’s mission statements with a college counseling program that will foster growth
in student academic knowledge, interpersonal skills, college readiness skills and character. The Director of
College Counseling is responsible for helping the students utilize these attributes to explore the best match
colleges that will fit their personality and academic profile. The Director of College Counseling is responsible
for building working relationships with the KALC leadership team, KIPP Through College leadership team,
national organizations, college/ universities and corporate sponsors that will lead to resources for KALC
students. It is the ultimate goal of the college-counseling department at KALC, through guidance and
education, to ensure that all KALC graduates have the ability to maintain success in their academic,
professional and personal lives. Finally, the Director of College Counseling is charged with keeping the
college counseling program woven into all aspects of KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate and to ensure that the
program works in collaboration with the school’s mission.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Plan and implement a four-year college-counseling program for all KALC students that is consistent
with the school’s mission.
 Co-plan and teach KALC’s two college readiness courses (Junior and Senior Seminar)
 Support the college counseling team in KALC’s college readiness courses (Junior and Junior
Seminar)
2. Manage, coach and support the college counseling team that will consist of college counselors and an
intern from College Advising Corps Boston University
 Support and train the college counseling team in the areas of college admissions, scholarships,
financial aid, standardized testing and college visits.
 Research professional development opportunities for the college counseling team.
3. Advise and assist a caseload of 20-25 seniors through the college application process
4. Establish and cultivate relationships with college/university admissions offices, scholarship programs,
corporate partners, nonprofit groups and various outreach programs.
5. Maintain a presence and provide guidance to the KALC leadership team to questions that relate to
college counseling.
6. Manage all data that is relevant to college counseling: test scores, transcripts, scholarship dollars, and
college matriculation, including all relevant reports to be directed to school leader and KIPP
Massachusetts leaders
7. Maintain a working relationship with KIPP Foundation and other KTC colleagues across the nation.
And serve as a liaison between KALC college access data and the KIPP Foundation.
8. Work closely with the grade level chairs and department heads to ensure that the KALC college
counseling team enables students to use all their resources and effectively execute the college
counseling planning activities.
9. Manage the coordination of the college visits to KALC campus and college fairs.
10. Coordinate and execute a “college knowledge” education to KALC 9th/10th graders and families.
11. Coordinate all college counseling events including but not limited to parent events and workshops
focused on topics related to college planning, college visits (off campus) and outreach programs.
12. Serve as the school liaison between the school and the College Board, ACT, and Naviance.
13. Work with key faculty on the student graduation requirements and how that fits into their four-year
plan.
14. Remain open to all projects that are deemed necessary by the KALC school leader or Executive
Director, or KIPP Through College.
Work Hard. Be Nice.
General responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
At KIPP, we believe that an excellent staff member does the following:
 Believes that all of us can and will learn and creates a positive learning environment with high
expectations for all students and staff throughout the school;
 Thrives as part of a team-oriented, mission-driven culture;
 Exudes joy and a love of learning every single day;
 Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback, coaching, and
professional development;
 Constantly assesses progress, communicates results clearly, and uses data to inform decisions and set
ambitious goals.
 Has a strong work ethic and commits to doing whatever it takes for students to excel, including
committing to an extended work day and remaining available to colleagues, students, and families
outside of school hours
Qualified candidates have the following:
Experience:
 Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution, Master’s Degree preferred but
not required.
 Prior experience working with high school students/families in the college counseling process
 Prior experience working in college admissions field (preferably 2 years or more specifically in
Massachusetts)
 Previous experience managing and supervising adults
 Previous experience in using data to drive decision making
 Previous experience working with all Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, Power point, and
Outlook.
Skills:
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Ability to work with faculty, families, students, and corporate leaders.
Be analytical and possess strong communication skills.
Comfortable with supervising and managing adults and students
Strong attention to details
Project management and ability to identify key/appropriate projects
Achievement oriented leadership and history of following through on tasks
Ability to implement classroom management practices that are consistent with the culture of the
school
Highly motivated and a self-starter
Strong attention to calendars and timelines/deadlines that relate to college application process
Fast learner with the ability to inquire and be open to feedback
Ability to work in fast paced environment that is deadline driven
Oral and written proficiency in Spanish desired but not required
To apply:
Internal candidates: If you are currently a member of the KIPP MA team, please apply by emailing your
resume to the Recruitment Team at Talent@kippma.org. Be sure to indicate to which position you wish to
apply.
Work Hard. Be Nice.
External candidates: If you do not currently work for the KIPP:MA team, please visit our job board at
http://kippcareers.force.com/jobboard?site=Massachusetts and complete an online application.
Compensation
Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package.
KIPP MA is an employment at-will organization.
KIPP Massachusetts, KIPP Academy Lynn, and KIPP Academy Boston are equal opportunity employers. We do
not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, gender identity, religion, creed, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, special need, proficiency in the English
language, or a foreign language. We are committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and encourage
applications from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.
Work Hard. Be Nice.