The counselor supports scholars and families through the entire high school placement process, including curriculum teaching, application support, test preparation, and managing necessary documentation. This role involves establishing strong partnerships with school leadership, staff, and parents to ensure every scholar is placed in the best-fit high school.
Requirements summary
Candidates must be dedicated to the mission, possess a strong sense of urgency, and have experience in high school admissions, education, or the nonprofit sector, with prior teaching experience preferred. A Bachelor's degree is required, and knowledge of various high school admissions systems is highly valued.
bachelor degreepostgraduate degreeAttention To DetailCommunication SkillsCollaborationIntegrityStakeholder ManagementJudgmentCurriculum DeliveryMicrosoft Office ProficiencyAcademic AdvisingCultural SensitivityProject SupportPortfolio DevelopmentFinancial Aid KnowledgeTest PreparationHigh School AdmissionsEssay Writing Support
Job description
Who We Are
Excellence Community Schools (ECS) is a Charter Management Organization (CMO) supporting schools in the Bronx, NY and Stamford, CT. Our programs are based on a proven, nationally recognized model, which originated in our flagship school, the Bronx Charter School for Excellence, a National Blue Ribbon School.
Our Mission and Vision
Our schools prepare young scholars to compete for admission to and succeed in top public, private, and parochial high schools by cultivating their intellectual, artistic, social, emotional, and ethical development.
We accomplish this by offering a challenging and rigorous academic curriculum, which at the earliest of grades has an eye towards college preparation.
To achieve this, our schools create a supportive and caring environment that at all times has high expectations of all students.
We offer a differentiated, project-based learning environment that seeks to develop high-level analytic and critical thinking skills in all of our students.
Our engaging and rigorous approach to educating our scholars is implemented by a collaborative team of teachers.
Who We Need
We are seeking individuals who are dedicated, ambitious, and committed to student success and education reform. Qualified candidates must demonstrate records of achievement, high degrees of personal responsibility, and the drive to do whatever it takes to ensure that every child achieves academic success. This individual must be committed to excellence, lead by example, and see collaboration as a key component of success.
The Position
Reporting to the Director of High School Placement, the High School Placement Counselor is responsible for providing program support to educate scholars and families on the high school placement process. The successful candidate will be responsible for programming in service and support of middle school scholars within our network. The High School Placement Counselor establishes close partnerships with Excellence Community Schools’ school leadership, teaching staff, parents, and guardians.
Qualifications
Dedicated to our mission. Committed to ensuring that each scholar is placed in the best fit high school.
Willingness to make things happen with a sense of urgency to ensure that each scholar is provided with optimal opportunities.
Benefits
Life Insurance
Dental
Vision
Paid Time Off
Health Insurance
Parental Leave
Tuition Reimbursement
Paid Sick Leave
403b Retirement Plan
FMLA
Short-term Disability benefits
Long-term Disability benefits
Experience in high school admissions, education, or nonprofit industry.
Prior teaching experience preferred and/or working with 5th through 8th grade students.
Knowledge of independent, selective public, specialized, charter, or catholic school admissions, academic advising, and financial aid.
Ability to work collaboratively and be a proactive team player.
Demonstrated commitment to educational opportunities and equity for underrepresented youth.
Excellent attention to detail, good judgment, a high level of integrity, adhering to deadlines.
Familiarity with MySchools, Ravenna, the SAO, and Gateway, preferred.
Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate and work with multiple stakeholders within and outside the organization.
Enthusiasm to support new projects and see them through.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Maintain a high level of sensitivity to different family cultures and dynamics.
Candidates who do not meet the above requirements will not be considered.
Responsibilities
Support in all aspects of the high school admissions process, including scholar essays and portfolios, test preparation, interviews, financial aid support, and school selection.
Collaborate with the Director of High School Placement to ensure a comprehensive and integrated high school placement process for all scholars.
Teach and assist with middle school (5th-8th grade) high school prep curriculum, preparing scholars for competitive independent day and boarding schools, Catholic, Specialized, and selective public schools.
Develop relationships with middle school parents through group and individual meetings regarding the high school placement process, which includes high school options, test prep, the application process, financial aid, etc.
Prepare scholars for various high school admission exams (SHSAT, ISEE, SSAT, and TACHS), essays, and portfolios.
Support, coordinate and proctor practice exams and mock interviews for scholars.
Record meeting notes for each scholar and parent interaction.
Create and maintain scholar profiles.
Nominate scholars for academic enrichment, performing and visual arts, and competitive athletic programs.
Prepare scholars and families for open houses, visitation days, and registration for entrance exams.
Communicate closely and regularly with parents regarding the high school application process via phone, email, text, and in-person meetings.
Support with network High School Placement office hours for application support on occasional Saturdays or after school.
Process admissions documents and ensure timely submission of applications.
Support in the execution of High School Placement departmental summer programming.
Attend education fairs with scholars and families.
Provide support to the Director of High School Placement as needed.
Perform other associated duties and projects as assigned by the Director of High School Placement.
Working Conditions
This is a year-round position, requiring working during the summer, occasional evenings, and weekends to meet the needs of our scholars and their families.
Ability to travel within our network as needed for high school placement support and coverage.
This position will be based on-site at one of our middle schools and report to the Managing Director of High School Placement and the Principal.
Compensation & Benefits
Starting Salary $65,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Retirement: 403(b) retirement plan – Employer Match
Leave: Paid time off, paid sick leave, parental leave, and FMLA.
Additional Benefits: Short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and $5,000 annual tuition reimbursement.
Market context
NY high school placement roles stay competitive
In New York, high school placement counselor roles often draw candidates with admissions, education, or nonprofit experience, and prior teaching can strengthen an application. These positions are competitive because schools look for mission alignment, urgency, and familiarity with admissions systems, while benefits like health, dental, vision, life insurance, and paid time off add to the appeal. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your resume to show direct admissions or student-placement experience.
