Colorado Academy is a co-ed independent day school in suburban southwest Denver serving just over 1,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12. Rich in both tradition and the spirit of innovation, CA offers a college preparatory program that emphasizes 21st century skills, including critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, cultural competence, and character development. The Upper School program combines a strong college preparatory academic curriculum and small classes with extensive programs in athletics, community service, fine arts, advising, and co-curricular activities.

Position Description

The Associate Director of College Counseling should be eager to join an office and a professional community where collaboration is valued, where rich curricular conversations are common, and where openness to growth is the norm. Excellent interpersonal skills are required. Demonstrated intercultural competence, defined as the ability to understand and bridge diverse perspectives, identities, and lived experiences, is a must. Additionally, candidates will be expected to share in the day-to-day life of the school community, which includes organizing and running a one-week Upper School Interim. All CA teachers are expected to carry out the mission of CA, "Creating Curious, Kind, Courageous, and Adventurous Learners and Leaders," and to support the vision of the Upper School.
 

Responsibilities

• Counsel and support a class of approximately 110 students as they navigate the college application and financial aid process, while maintaining a personal caseload of approximately 33 students in grades ten, eleven, and twelve
• Guiding and reviewing Seniors’ applications and essays, following up with colleges, and helping students evaluate their final college choices
• Write recommendation letters for personal caseload
• Actively contribute to all office programs, presentations, and initiatives; plan and run workshops as well as a consolidated few weeks of classes for Juniors and Seniors
• Lead and/or co-lead project areas within the office
• Collaborate with a team that includes College Office staff as well as counseling, advising, deans, principal, assistant head of school, and head of school
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with students, parents, and CA employees.
• Travel to regional and national professional conferences and to individual colleges and universities 
• Maintain relationships with college admissions professionals; host college representatives on campus
• Help maintain the College Office electronic publications and materials database as well as its website and social media accounts.
• Meet the ethical standards of the college admission profession as articulated by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

• Bachelor's degree required, Master’s Degree preferred
• Three to five years in college counseling and/or selective college admissions preferred
• Strong writing and editing skills; a level of comfort coaching students through the writing process
• An understanding of and appreciation for where students are developmentally throughout their secondary school experience
• Extensive knowledge of colleges, academic programs, the application process, and admissions and financial aid policies; an interest in current trends in admission

All staff at CA are expected to carry out the CA Mission, "Creating Curious, Kind, Courageous, and Adventurous Learners and Leaders," to support the vision of CA, and to contribute to the life of the school. 

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required for the position. Colorado Academy reserves the right to modify or revise this job description at any time.

Applicants are invited to visit the Colorado Academy website (www.coloradoacademy.org) to learn more about the program and the school.

About Colorado Academy

Employer Description Colorado Academy, founded in 1906, is a coeducational college preparatory day school for grades PreK-12 located on a 93-acre campus in southwest Denver. Separate buildings house Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. Divisions share art and music facilities, a theater, a dining hall, and an athletic center. A dynamic liberal arts and sciences program is the foundation of Colorado Academy and challenges students ethically, academically, artistically, and athletically. Teachers, students, parents, and staff foster trusting and respectful relationships, enhancing our thriving school family. Students pursue excellence and seek to become life-long learners and contributors in our local and international communities. Our student body is 893 and 22% are students of color. Our class sizes average 17, with no class over 20, allowing a teacher to work with individuals. 100% of our students go on to attend four-year colleges. Our financial aid budget of $2,028,000 supports 134 students. The school rewards teaching excellence and professional development opportunities for teachers are a high institutional priority. Faculty salaries are competitive with local inde...pendent schools; we offer a comprehensive benefits package. Many of our teachers hold, or are at work on, Master’s or advanced degrees.

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Connections working at Colorado Academy