McLean School
Location
Montgomery County, Maryland
Salary
$70,000 - $100,000 / YEAR
The Upper School Counselor supports students' social, emotional, and behavioral development, providing direct counseling services and collaborating with faculty and families. They also contribute to social-emotional learning initiatives and assist with wellness programming.
Candidates must have a Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field, along with Maryland licensure or eligibility. Experience working with adolescents in a school setting and knowledge of adolescent mental health are also required.
Student Support Support students with executive functioning, organization, time management, and strategies related to academic demands. In consultation with the administration, provide short-term individual and small-group counseling to Upper School students to address anxiety, stress management, peer relationships, self-advocacy, and school adjustment. Assist students in navigating transitions, including entry into Upper School, changes in academic placement, and preparation for postsecondary settings. Provide crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning in collaboration with school leadership.
Maintain timely and appropriate documentation consistent with school policies and professional standards.
Collaboration & Consultation Work closely with Upper School faculty, advisors, Learning Services team, college counseling, and administrators to develop and implement student support plans. Participate in student support meetings and grade-level meetings. Consult with teachers on classroom strategies that promote wellness, engagement, and independence. Partner with families to support adolescent development and reinforce strategies across home and school.
Professional Responsibilities Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards consistent with licensure requirements and best practices for work with adolescents. Engage in ongoing professional development related to adolescent mental health, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and supporting students with learning challenges. Uphold McLean School’s mission, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field. Maryland licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Counselor, Social Worker, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Experience working with adolescents in a school setting. Knowledge of adolescent development and mental health, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges. Knowledge of Individualized Education Plans and 504’s. Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Experience supporting students with self-advocacy and preparation for college or other postsecondary pathways.
Attributes Warm, steady, and developmentally attuned to adolescents. Proactive, flexible, and solutions-oriented. Committed to fostering student independence, resilience, and self-awareness. Strong alignment with McLean School’s inclusive and student-centered philosophy.
$70,000-$100,000 McLean School is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability, genetic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability during recruitment, please contact Director of Executive Support and Recruitment, Robin Speller.
Market context
In Maryland, Grades 9-12 school counselor roles are typically driven by student mental health, academic planning, and college or career readiness needs. These positions are competitive because districts often look for a master’s degree, Maryland licensure or eligibility, and direct experience supporting adolescents in a school setting. Review the school’s counseling caseload and student support model, and note that the job requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original posting to save research time.
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