Academic Guidance Counselor (Immediate Opening)

Company Description Who we are : KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis City. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission, vision, and equity statement.

Mission:

Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Vision :

Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. KIPP St. Louis currently educates over 2,000 students and at full growth, we will educate nearly 3,600 students and hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of PreK-12th grade. What makes KIPP St. Louis unique? We believe that our educators are proving what's possible in urban education each and every day, by inspiring students and helping them discover the joy of learning. KIPP schools support our educators to help students achieve academic excellence, building the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Together, we are raising the bar for every student, every day. Job Description The Guidance Counselor serves as a key member of the student support team, working closely with KIPP Forward and high school leadership to ensure all students are on track for graduation and prepared to successfully transition to a postsecondary pathway (college, career, or workforce). This role leads academic advising, supports postsecondary readiness systems, and recommends Tier 2/3 social-emotional supports. The Guidance Counselor partners with students, families, and staff to develop clear academic and postsecondary plans, address barriers to success, and ensure students have the support needed to achieve their goals.

Position type:

Full-time, exempt, 12 Month Reporting & Collaboration Reports to: School Leader Collaborates with: Registrar (student data + graduation tracking) KIPP Forward (postsecondary access and persistence) Teachers and Instructional Leaders Mental Health Professionals (for clinical support) Families and community partners Autonomy & Decision Making Owns student-facing academic and postsecondary planning decisions Determines interventions for students who are off-track academically or postsecondary Designs and implements postsecondary readiness programming Recommends (but does not finalize) course pathways and schedule needs

Inputs:

What will I be doing in my day-to-day work? Provide individual and group counseling aligned to academic progress and postsecondary readiness Develop and monitor individualized student academic and postsecondary plans Analyze student data (grades, credits, attendance) to identify off-track students Support postsecondary readiness programming (college applications, FAFSA, career exposure) Co-facilitate workshops for students and families on college, career, and financial aid Partner with families to support academic and postsecondary planning Coordinate with KIPP Forward on college match and persistence efforts Refer students to mental health or external services as needed Support advisory systems and student goal-setting structures

Outcomes:

What will I be evaluated on? 95% of students on track for graduation (in partnership with Registrar) 100% of students have a documented postsecondary plan FAFSA completion and college/career application rates meet regional targets Increased student enrollment in best-fit postsecondary pathways Measurable improvement in outcomes for Tier 2/3 supported students Strong student and family engagement in planning processes What skills should I already bring, i.e., what should I already have a track record around? Strong knowledge of college admissions, financial aid, and career pathways Ability to analyze student data and translate into action plans Skilled in counseling, relationship-building, and culturally responsive practices Strong facilitation and communication skills with students and families Ability to design systems and programming, not just provide 1:1 support High level of organization and case management Qualifications What You Bring to the Table Required Bachelor's degree required Experience working with high school students in academic advising or counseling Demonstrated success supporting students toward graduation and postsecondary outcomes Strong commitment to educational equity and student success Ability to manage a caseload and multiple priorities effectively Preferred Master's in Counseling or related field preferred Additional Information What we bring to the table: KIPP St. Louis is committed to pay equity and to ensuring that we do not unintentionally perpetuate historic wage gaps that persist due to individual negotiations. As a result, salaries are not negotiated. We are transparent about salaries in our job postings so that candidates can make an informed decision before beginning the hiring process. The salary range is $45,000 to $65,000. We are a fast-paced, energetic team and family with passionate people who are leading a movement, and to cultivate their best working environment, we provide the following: $0 deductible healthcare plan option, including medical, vision, and dental. Employer Paid Short-Term Disability. $50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee. Retirement plan through PSSRSSL with an employer match up to 14% and an optional 403b as a supplement to our pension program

Employee Recognition:

When we succeed together, we celebrate together with our annual gala award ceremony, holiday party, and more! Public Service student loan forgiveness program qualified employer. Ongoing professional development.

Generous time off:

Paid leave for illness, personal days, bereavement, jury duty, and military-related leave Paid parental leave for new families Paid holidays, as well as a one-week Thanksgiving break, a two-week winter break, a week-long spring break Wellness days provided throughout the year