High School Success Counselor

Madison, WI
Full Time
Mid Level

ABOUT ONE CITY SCHOOLS

One City Schools, Inc. is a dynamic educational organization committed to providing high-quality, innovative education to prepare students for college, career, and life success. Our mission is to seed a new model of public education that ensures young children become strong readers and mathematical thinkers by third grade, and older children receive the academic foundation, support and opportunities they need to succeed in college and beyond.

 

POSITION OVERVIEW

As part of "The One City Promise: Supporting Success Beyond its Walls" initiative, the High School Success Counselor will play a pivotal role in ensuring One City scholars successfully transition to and through high school. This unique position serves as a long-term advisor, advocate, and guide for One City graduates throughout their entire high school journey. Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, the High School Success Counselor will maintain ongoing relationships with our scholars from their final semester of 8th grade through high school graduation, providing consistent support, guidance, and advocacy to ensure college and career readiness.

 

TERM OF POSITION

This is a full-time, 12-month position beginning Spring 2025. The successful candidate will commit to supporting the current 8th grade cohort of 25 scholars through their entire high school journey (Spring 2025 through Spring 2029).

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

8th Grade Transition Support (Spring-Summer 2025)

  • Develop individualized high school transition plans for each 8th grade scholar
  • Assist scholars and families with high school selection, application, and enrollment processes
  • Guide course selection aligned with scholars' strengths, interests, and postsecondary goals
  • Facilitate connections with key personnel at receiving high schools
  • Coordinate and lead summer bridge programming to prepare scholars for high school success
  • Support scholars in navigating high school orientations and initial adjustment period
  • Establish baseline data and metrics to track scholars' progress through high school
 

Ongoing High School Support (2025-2029)

  • Maintain regular individual check-ins with all scholars throughout their high school years
  • Monitor academic progress, course selection, and credit accumulation toward graduation
  • Collaborate with high school counselors and teachers to ensure scholars receive appropriate support
  • Advocate for scholars' needs within their high schools when necessary
  • Help scholars navigate challenges and develop problem-solving strategies
  • Facilitate access to tutoring and academic support resources when needed
  • Coordinate regular group activities to maintain cohort connections and peer support networks
 

College and Career Readiness

  • Guide scholars through year-appropriate college and career readiness activities and contribute to building and implementing the middle schools College & Career Exploration Program
  • Assist with standardized test preparation and registration (PSAT, ACT, SAT)
  • Support exploration of postsecondary options including two-year colleges, four-year universities, trade schools, apprenticeships, and career pathways
  • Facilitate college search, application, and selection processes
  • Provide guidance with scholarship research and applications
  • Assist with FAFSA completion and financial aid navigation
  • Support scholars in making informed decisions about postsecondary options
 

Enrichment Opportunity Coordination

  • Research and share information about relevant summer programs, internships, and enrichment opportunities
  • Assist scholars with application processes for competitive programs
  • Support study abroad and exchange program applications
  • Connect scholars with community service and leadership development opportunities
  • Facilitate job shadowing and career exploration activities
  • Help scholars secure and succeed in part-time employment that complements their academic goals
 

Family Partnership and Communication

  • Maintain regular communication with families regarding scholars' progress and opportunities
  • Host information sessions on topics relevant to high school success and college preparation
  • Provide resources to help families support their scholars' high school journey
  • Facilitate parent engagement with high schools when needed
  • Conduct home visits and family meetings as appropriate
  • Create and distribute newsletters and regular updates on important deadlines and opportunities
 

Documentation and Program Development

  • Track key metrics on scholar progress, achievements, and challenges
  • Document effective strategies and approaches for supporting high school success
  • Develop resources and materials to support future cohorts of One City graduates
  • Contribute to the refinement of One City's high school preparation curriculum based on observed needs
  • Prepare regular reports on scholar outcomes and program effectiveness
  • Assist in designing scalable systems for supporting future cohorts of One City graduates
 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

 

Required

  • Master's degree in School Counseling, Educational Psychology, College Counseling, or related field
  • Valid school counselor certification/license
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in high school counseling, college advising, or related role
  • Demonstrated success in supporting students through college application and selection processes
  • Experience working with diverse student populations and families
  • Knowledge of college admission requirements and financial aid processes
  • Strong understanding of high school course sequencing and graduation requirements
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
  • Ability to establish rapport with adolescents and their families
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Proficiency with educational technology and student information systems
  • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
 

Preferred

  • Experience in college access programs or college readiness initiatives
  • Background in competency-based education models
  • Knowledge of local high school systems and programs in Dane County
  • Multilingual abilities, especially Spanish proficiency
  • Experience with data tracking and program evaluation
  • Background in mentoring or youth development work
  • Knowledge of scholarship and financial aid opportunities
  • Familiarity with test preparation strategies and resources
  • Experience supporting students with internship and job placement
  • Connections to local business and community organizations
  • Background in social-emotional learning and youth development
  • Experience with study abroad or international education programs
  • Knowledge of specialized academic programs (IB, STEM, arts academies, etc.)
  • Experience with athletic recruiting and NCAA eligibility requirements
 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

 
  • Passionate commitment to educational equity and student success
  • High level of cultural competence and sensitivity
  • Exceptional relationship-building abilities across diverse constituencies
  • Initiative and self-direction balanced with collaborative team approach
  • Flexibility and adaptability in responding to evolving student needs
  • Patient, persistent, and resilient in supporting students through challenges
  • Creative problem-solver with a growth mindset
  • High ethical standards and professional boundaries
  • Willingness to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends
  • Commitment to long-term support of students throughout their high school journey
 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

 
  • Ability to travel to multiple high schools, college campuses, and community sites
  • Computer use for extended periods
  • Occasional evening and weekend work for events and student/family meetings
  • Ability to transport materials and resources between locations
 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

One City Schools, Inc. offers a competitive salary range of $65,000-$75,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Retirement plan with employer match
  • Generous paid time off
  • Professional development allowance
  • Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
  • Cell phone stipend
  • Flexible scheduling during school breaks

Review of applications will begin on March 31, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is May 1, 2025, to allow for transition planning and relationship-building with the current 8th grade class.

 

One City Schools, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.


 
Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume or Paste resume
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*