KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 255 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating at 3x the national average for low-income students.

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently serves nearly 2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  The mission of KIPP Columbus is to create a system of schools where students develop the intellectual, academic, and social skills needed to understand and take action on issues they encounter in everyday life. 

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top five schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our second class of graduating high school seniors in the spring of 2021, 100% of students were accepted to college with over $20 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with more than 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy.  

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

The Opportunity

The KIPP Forward College and Career Counselor serves as a key member of the KIPP Forward team, who works to support our high school students in their postsecondary pathways.  We believe in career exploration and exposure throughout high school so all students leave with a strong sense of their passion, purpose, and plan for a strong start in college or a progressive professional pathway of their choosing. We know that truly preparing students for college and career requires an intense focus on student GPAs and ACT results, experiential learning opportunities such as summer programs and dual enrollment courses, excellent college & career counseling, and strong relationships with and programming for students and their families.  

The College & Career Counselor’s job is to support a college and career-ready trajectory for our students. We expect that this leader builds strong and trusting relationships with students, and uses effective advising skills to support students in taking all necessary steps to graduate from high school and ultimately matriculate to a post-secondary program of highest aspiration.

Job Description

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

College and Career Matching:

• Conduct ongoing 1:1 check-ins (at least 2-3 per quarter) with a caseload of 11th and 12th-grade students to support them through the application process and to help them maintain momentum for a strong finish to their senior year

• Guide each student through the process of applying to “right fit” colleges and/or career programs

• Maintain consistent engagement and partnership with families of 12th-grade student

• Support students and families in filling out financial aid applications, scholarship paperwork, and applications to special programs

• Complete Letters of Recommendations for students, and train teachers on writing quality recommendations

• Support students in preparing for and completing key application steps, including interviews and document submission

• Hold College & Career Decision meetings with students and families, sharing key information and guiding students and families in making decisions that are aligned with students’ passion/purpose/plan

• Support each student’s transition to college or their post-secondary pathway through the completion of pre-college & career benchmarks as well as matriculation checklist tasks (such as making their tuition deposit, engaging in loan counseling (if applicable), etc.)

• Support HS juniors with learning more about the college financial aid process, writing personal statements, and researching colleges and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs

• Teach a Junior Seminar or Senior Seminar class 

Student & Family Programming:

• Support students in learning about career and college options, including participating in college/career visit programs, attending open houses and information sessions, and touring campuses

• Support and co-plan school-wide match events (College & Career Fair, College & Career program representative visits, Senior Decision Days, family nights, senior activities, ACT testing days, etc)

• Plan and lead workshops for families on the essential topics related to financial aid, high school, and postsecondary success 

Data Management:

• Track meeting notes and student data - both qualitative and quantitative - consistently and accurately

• Analyze student academic data to drive action planning and support plans

• Utilize financial aid tracker to track all financial aid packages and provide families with a clear comparison of options from a financial perspective

• Constantly assess student progress and consistently communicate results to the high school leadership team, KIPP Forward Director, families, and teammates

School Support:

• Attend grade-level meetings and support 12th grade team and school functions as needed

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

• Two years of teaching experience in education or related fields is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions

• Commitment to building relationships and trust with leaders, teachers, students, parents, and the community of Columbus

• Adept at thinking strategically, translating plans into action, and exhibiting excellent judgment

• Detail oriented with exceptionally strong follow-up and follow-through skills

• Belief that outstanding school leaders, staff, and teachers can achieve excellent outcomes for all students

• Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a collaborative professional learning community

• Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond to prove the possible with students.

• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities

• Model the values of KIPP Columbus (Imagine, Navigate, Seek, Persevere, Integrity, Responsibility, and Empathy)

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance, as well as group term life insurance, retirement plan and paid time off. 

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.