Job Title: High School Placement Advisor
About KIPP LA Schools
KIPP LA Schools is a non-profit organization that operates free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public charter schools. Our schools, which serve elementary and middle school students in East and South Los Angeles, are part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network of 109 schools in 20 states and DC. KIPP schools are dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life.
KIPP LA’s mission is to teach the academic skills, foster the intellectual habits, and cultivate the character traits needed for our students to thrive in high school, college, and life. Through the success of our students, the KIPP LA team and family will serve as a model of excellence and collaborate with others to raise the quality of education in Los Angeles.
KIPP LA’s schools feature a “no shortcuts, no excuses” philosophy and a strong culture of achievement. Our curricula are designed to provide students a well-rounded education, with sufficient time dedicated to academics, the arts, enrichment, and physical education.
KIPP LA’s educators are committed to continually improving their teaching skills, and to giving students the support and motivation they need to excel in school and beyond.
In the 2012-13 school year, KIPP LA will operate seven schools – three elementary and four middle schools – and will serve approximately 2,200 students. Our annual consolidated operating budget is approximately $18.5 million. By approximately 2020, KIPP LA will grow to 14 schools serving more than 6,000 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
About KIPP Through College
The KIPP Through College (KTC) program is designed to build a college-going culture for current students and alumni of KIPP LA Schools. The alumni group includes close to 600 students across four grade levels who are enrolled in public, private, and boarding schools across the U.S., with a majority of students at public charter high schools in the Los Angeles area. Our oldest alumni make up a cohort of an additional 101 college-aged students. The KTC team works to support KIPP alumni as they pursue their dreams of higher education by providing high quality college access advising programming, and college retention support. Our mission is to empower underserved students to strengthen the academic skills, intellectual habits, and character traits necessary to thrive in, and graduate from, four-year colleges and universities, giving them the freedom to shape their futures and positively affect their communities.
High School Placement Advisor Overview
The High School Placement (HSP) Advisor is responsible for educating KIPP LA’s middle school students and parents about available high school readiness and high school options. S/he is responsible for providing continual support and resources for KIPPsters throughout their last two years in middle school and first year of high school. S/he is responsible for the overall design of the 7th and 8th grade high school preparation curriculum focusing on KIPP’s five key factors of college success: academic readiness, social and academic integration, college affordability and financial understanding, finding the right match, and developing a powerful set of character strengths. Simultaneously the HSP Advisor oversees the placement of students into college preparatory high schools. This process includes educating families on high school options and the application process, researching and relaying financial aid requirements, and assisting with necessary paperwork. Additionally, the HSP Advisor oversees the placement of middle school students in summer programs and the application process for various KIPP Foundation scholarships and programs.
The individual will report to the Director of KIPP Through College. S/he will collaborate with other KTC staff to develop and foster a college readiness culture amongst KIPP LA’s middle schools.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
High School Application Process (30%)
Work with the Director of KIPP Through College to develop annual goals and benchmarks for the region’s high school placement performance plan;
Lead student and parent education around the high school and financial application processes through group and individual family meetings;
Support and guide students and families working with independent school placement agencies, such as A Better Chance or The Alliance;
Schedule, organize, and chaperone students on shadow visits to local high schools;
Write and coordinate the writing of letters of recommendation by staff members;
Organize high school preparation events such as high school fairs and informational workshops;
Research and assist students with placement in summer opportunities / programs;
Research academic and social expectations in college prep high schools and ensure that the expectations at KIPP LA middle schools are complementary.
Internal Relationship Management (25%)
Promote full social, personal, academic, and artistic development of students by cultivating authentic communication and rapport with students;
Conduct counseling related to all matters of student life, including academic and postsecondary goals, case conferences, crisis intervention, mediation, and personal and character development;
Build and maintain positive relationships with the parent community and communicate regularly with respect, empathy, and compassion;
Inform school leaders, regional staff, and team members about the high school application process and involve team members in various aspects of the process;
Conduct early informative presentations to 5th and 6th grade students and their parents to introduce them to KTC programs;
External Relationship Management (20%)
Work in a manner consistent with other KLA schools to display a united and consistent KIPP LA “front”;
Build and maintain positive relationships with high schools and communicate regularly with high school admissions offices, advisors, counselors, and teachers;
Work closely with Director of KIPP Through College to investigate and identify high performing high schools; this includes cataloguing each high school’s entrance requirements and keeping information current for students and parents to use as a resource;
Establish and manage feeder patterns on behalf of the region and work to place students in KIPP partner high schools whenever possible.
Marketing, Research and Data (15%)
Track and maintain HSP data (high school admissions list, test scores, student report cards, acceptances,
financial aid packages, scholarships, etc.) using the Alumni Services database;
Produce progress reports, dashboards, presentations and other materials which may be requested periodically by KTC Director and other key members of the KIPP LA staff;
Work closely with Program and Data Assistant to collect and assess student data and use this information to support persistence and retention;
Serve as a school liaison for KIPP programs (i.e. CTY, Deerfield STEP, Doris Fisher KIPPster of the Year Award, and Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship) and support students through the application process;
Collaborate in the planning and execution of school-specific alumni reunion and pennant ceremonies;
Research and stay current on higher education programs, trends, and issues with student impact and make recommendations based on best practices and research
Prepare marketing, publicity materials, and report writing as needed
Alumni Advising (10%)
Manage and maintain relationships with the most recent alumni (i.e. promoted 9th graders);
this includes checking-in with students on a regular basis via emails, phone calls, and campus visits;
Provide high school orientation sessions for students attending local area school to ensure an effective transition to high school;
Assist in the development of an effective early alert system for at risk students; analyze attrition and student success outcomes and take action to improve retention;
Track students’ grades and help with any concerns or questions they may have;
Assist 9th grade students and families with any school transfer-related inquiries and processes.
Skills and Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required, with a Master’s degree in Education, Higher Education, Counseling or related field preferred;
Middle or high school teaching experience preferred and experience with high school or college placement/access programs preferred;
Experience working with underserved students and families;
Be conversant in national college-readiness standards and admissions trends;
Extensive contact list and institutional knowledge of the high school landscape in Los Angeles preferred;
Ability to self-direct and prioritize among competing goals and to initiate process improvements;
Demonstrated ability to work well with others and build relationships across teams and schools;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with keen attention to detail and strong organizational skills;
Strong achievement orientation with exceptional time management skills and demonstrated ability to multi-task;
Proficiency in database management, Powerpoint, and Excel;
Ability to deliver dynamic and motivational presentations with ease and confidence;
Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP LA Schools’ mission and values;
Bilingual in Spanish and English highly desired.
Salary & Benefits
This is a full-time exempt position. We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, depending on experience and qualifications. The start date for this position is August 2012.
Please visit http://go.kippla.org/noninstructionalapp to complete a job application. You will be asked to include your resume and a detailed cover letter demonstrating your interest in working for KIPP LA Schools.
Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
KIPP LA is strongly committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff, and we encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. KIPP LA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnic origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law.