An Academic or Guidance Counselor provides guidance to students in elementary, middle and high schools to help them succeed academically and socially. Works with school teachers and administrators to address problems that affect student performance, and identifies resources for students and families. Helps high school students to plan academic course work and advises on the college search and application process.
Tempe, AZ Job Details Full-time 21 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Life insurance Qualifications Student-centered approaches (student motivation techniques)
Full Job Description Location:
Pinnacle Charter Schools - Tempe, Arizona (On-site)
About Us:
MGRM Pinnacle operates Pinnacle Charter Schools, a Cognia-accredited network of public charter schools serving students across Arizona. Established in 1995, we have supported students for more than 30 years through flexible, student-centered educational options. Our students complete their coursework through a technology-supported instructional model, supported by school staff who help students remain engaged, make consistent academic progress, and successfully navigate their path toward graduation.
The Opportunity:
We are seeking a proactive, organized, and student-centered Academic Advisor - Student Success & Retention to manage an assigned caseload of students and provide consistent advising, academic planning, progress monitoring, intervention, and support throughout each student's enrollment. This is a hands-on role requiring strong relationship-building, follow-through, and accountability . You will get to know your students, understand their goals and barriers, monitor their academic progress, intervene when they begin falling behind or disengaging, and help them maintain a clear path toward graduation.
What You'll Do:
Caseload Management & Student Success:
Maintain ownership of an assigned caseload of students and serve as a consistent point of contact throughout their academic program. Conduct individual advising sessions to understand student goals, progress, challenges, and barriers, developing individualized action plans when additional support is needed. Maintain regular contact with assigned students and provide proactive guidance rather than waiting for students to request assistance. Coordinate with families, teachers, site staff, attendance personnel, and other departments to address student needs. Maintain consistent and professional communication with students and families through phone, email, text, virtual meetings, and other approved communication methods.
Academic Progress Monitoring & Intervention:
Monitor ETPG, course activity, completion, and other indicators to identify students who are falling behind, becoming inactive, or moving off their expected academic trajectory. Conduct timely, tiered interventions based on the severity and persistence of identified concerns. Collaborate with teachers, site personnel, attendance staff, and other departments to address barriers, escalating chronic or unresolved cases within required timelines.
Retention & Re-Engagement:
Conduct direct interventions with students and families considering withdrawal, identify underlying concerns, and determine whether appropriate school-based solutions can support continued enrollment. Conduct outreach to inactive or disengaged students and work to restore participation and academic progress. Support schoolwide retention and re-engagement initiatives, including appropriate student and family events, orientations, conferences, and outreach activities.
Academic & Graduation Planning:
Review verified academic records and maintain an individualized graduation plan for assigned students. Help students understand graduation requirements, remaining credits, course sequencing, and their anticipated path toward graduation while monitoring credit completion and graduation trajectory. Identify students falling off their graduation plan and coordinate appropriate interventions with academic, records, and other relevant personnel. Support graduation-readiness reviews and ensure students approaching completion understand remaining requirements and next steps.
Course Assignments & Academic Scheduling:
Complete course assignments for new and continuing students based on verified academic records, graduation requirements, and established academic plans. Coordinate with appropriate academic and records personnel when transcript information, credits, prerequisites, or other academic information requires clarification. Manage yearlong course assignments and make appropriate assignment adjustments based on academic records, student progress, and graduation planning.
Documentation, Compliance & Collaboration:
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of advising sessions, interventions, student contacts, action plans, and other assigned activities. Complete required reporting accurately and on time while maintaining student confidentiality and compliance with FERPA and school procedures. Collaborate with instructional, attendance, enrollment, records, site, and administrative teams and participate in required meetings and training.
Who You Are:
You may be a strong fit for this position if you: Enjoy building meaningful relationships with students while maintaining clear expectations and accountability. Are comfortable managing a caseload and taking ownership of consistent student follow-up. Are proactive—you notice when a student is beginning to fall behind and act before the situation becomes a crisis. Are comfortable making frequent outgoing calls and having supportive but direct conversations about academic progress, attendance, withdrawal, and graduation. Are highly organized, persistent with follow-up, and able to manage multiple students, deadlines, and priorities. Can review academic information carefully and translate it into understandable next steps for students and families. Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree preferred; a combination of relevant education and experience may be considered. 2+ years of experience in academic advising, student services, education, case management, youth services, enrollment, retention, or a related student-facing role preferred. Experience managing an assigned caseload or providing ongoing individualized student/client support is strongly preferred. Experience reviewing transcripts, graduation requirements, academic plans, or course assignments is a plus. Strong communication, organizational, technology, documentation, and follow-through skills.
Why This Role Matters:
Success in this position means knowing the students on your caseload and knowing where they stand . Students do not always need someone to simply tell them what classes they need—they need someone who understands the larger picture, notices when something changes, and helps them determine what comes next. As an Academic Advisor - Student Success & Retention, you will provide that continuity while helping students remain engaged, overcome barriers, and progress toward graduation.
Compensation & Benefits:
Compensation for this position is competitive and based on qualifications and prior experience. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and life insurance coverage, as well as an employer retirement contribution.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
MGRM Pinnacle Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, or any other status protected by applicable law. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
