Middle School Guidance Counselor

Jupiter Christian School Middle School Guidance Counselor

Job Description

Founded in 1963, Jupiter Christian School is committed to excellence in teaching the mind, reaching the heart, and inspiring servant leaders to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Jupiter Christian School distinctively educates students in a Nurturing Community to Excel in life and Engage the world. Job Summary: The Jupiter Christian School Guidance Counselor must be a spiritually sensitive individual who understands the mission and philosophy of Jupiter Christian School and is committed to help see it become a reality in the lives of our students by manifesting, by precept and example, the highest Christian virtue and personal decorum, serving as a Christian role model (I Timothy 4:12) both in and out of school (Luke 6:40), and as an example to parents and fellow employees in judgement, dignity, respect, and Christian living according to the Conditions of Employment outlined in the JCS staff contract. The Counselor must be a born again Christian with spiritual maturity in academic and leadership abilities that will enable him/her to teach God’s truth. The ability to communicate well with diverse types of people, handle confidential information appropriately, maintain a courteous, professional, and respectful attitude and integrity in all situations are pre-requisites.

General description of duties & responsibilities

• The Middle School Guidance Counselor is a 10-month position reporting one week prior to New Teacher Orientation and one week following the last day of students.
• Additional remote work may be required with advance notice.
• The Middle School Guidance Counselor leads and implements a comprehensive, data-informed counseling program aligned with American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) standards.
• Serving students in grades 6–8, this role emphasizes proactive, developmentally appropriate support for students’ academic, social-emotional, spiritual, and future readiness growth through Tier 1, Tier 2, and short-term Tier 3 interventions within a school-based setting.
• The counselor partners closely with faculty, administration, and families to remove barriers to learning, strengthen student support systems, and equip students to successfully engage in their educational experience.
• This role is relational and preventative in nature and is not intended to provide long-term therapeutic counseling.
• The Middle School Guidance Counselor reports directly to the Middle School Principal.

Essential job responsibilities

• Program leadership & delivery
• Design and implement a comprehensive guidance curriculum for grades 6–8 aligned with ASCA and ACSI standards.
• Deliver Tier 1 classroom lessons focused on executive functioning, academic readiness, social-emotional development, digital citizenship, and college/career awareness.
• Facilitate Tier 2 small groups addressing identified student needs, including organization, peer relationships, and transition support.
• Utilize academic, behavioral, and survey data (including Bloomsights) to identify trends, guide programming, and prioritize student support.
• Develop and maintain counseling schedules, annual programming calendars, and systems that prioritize proactive student support.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through data analysis, reflection, and administrative reporting.

• Academic support & school systems
• Partner with the Assistant Principal in academic planning, student placement, scheduling, course selection, appeals, and middle school transitions.
• Lead the course registration process for rising 6th–8th grade students, including communication and parent/student education.
• Monitor academic progress data, including D/F lists, eligibility, probation, and report cards, and implement targeted interventions as needed.
• Support students in developing executive functioning, goal-setting, self-advocacy, and academic ownership skills.
• Assist with quarterly academic recognition programs, including Honor Roll and Principal’s List.
• Maintain accurate documentation of academic interventions and support plans.

• Social-Emotional support
• Provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 counseling support that promotes resilience, life skills, healthy relationships, and emotional well-being.
• Coordinate mentorship and transition initiatives in collaboration with Spiritual Life and High School administration.
• Respond to student crises, behavioral concerns, bullying incidents, and mental health needs while coordinating appropriate referrals and follow-up support.
• Provide short-term, solution-focused individual support to remove barriers to student learning and engagement.
• Refer students and families to outside counseling resources when needs exceed the scope of school-based counseling.
• Collaborate with administration and Learning Services (as needed) regarding safety concerns, threat assessments, and high-level student needs.
• Maintain appropriate and confidential student documentation.

• Collaboration & communication
• Partner with teachers and staff to support student success while minimizing disruption to instructional time.
• Communicate proactively and professionally with families regarding student progress, concerns, and support strategies.
• Collaborate with Learning Services to support students with accommodations and learning plans.
• Serve as a liaison between students, families, and school personnel to ensure clear communication and consistent follow-through.

• College & career readiness / Discipleship
• Develop and implement a developmentally appropriate college and career readiness program for grades 6–8 utilizing tools such as Naviance.
• Guide students in identifying their strengths, interests, and God-given gifts.
• Coordinate career exploration opportunities including guest speakers, panels, and the Middle School Career & Calling Pathway Series.
• Support initiatives that promote character development, service, leadership, and community engagement.

• Admissions & community engagement
• Partner with Admissions to support onboarding, student transitions, and scheduling.
• Participate in admissions and community events including shadow days, open houses, and transition programs.
• Contribute to a welcoming, Christ-centered, and mission-aligned middle school culture.

• Data, accountability & systems management
• Maintain organized systems for tracking academic interventions, student support plans, and counseling program outcomes.
• Use data to guide decision-making, prioritize services, and measure program effectiveness.
• Ensure counseling resources and communication are updated through Canvas, newsletters, and school communication platforms.

Qualifications

• Spiritual qualifications
• Clear testimony of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior
• Active membership and involvement in a local church
• Alignment with the Jupiter Christian School Statement of Faith

EDUCATION • Required

• Graduate degree in counseling, education, or related field
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Counseling

• Experience
• Minimum three years of successful experience in school counseling or related educational support services
• Experience working with middle school students and preventative counseling models preferred

• Skills & competencies
• Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to develop and implement counseling programs and interventions
• Experience with student information systems, Naviance, Microsoft Office, and Canvas
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
• Commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment