Educational Counselor - North Chicago HS

If you want to help showcase the difference a college education can make in the lives of our talented high school students, apply today as your first step to join our Scholar Program as an Educational Counselor.

Who We Are

Schuler is a private, non-profit foundation in the northern suburbs of Chicago. We currently serve over 800 high school and college Scholars in partnership with 16 high schools located throughout the northern suburbs and the city of Chicago and Milwaukee, WI.   

What Our Goal Is

The Schuler Scholar Program equips high-achieving and underrepresented students to gain access to and succeed at highly selective colleges and beyond.

What We Stand For

• Always Personal Best: We believe in lifelong learning – personal improvement never ends.
• One Scholar at a Time: We believe in the boundless promise of every Scholar.
• All In: We believe shared success drives superior results for all our stakeholders – Scholars, families, partners, and staff.
• Innovative Mindset: We believe in pursuing new and imaginative solutions to benefit our Scholars.

What A Day in the Life of What an Educational Counselor Is Like

The Schuler Scholar Program is seeking an Educational Counselor (EC) whose primary responsibility is the success, retention and college readiness of Scholars at their school site. The EC will assess Scholar’s academic progress and determine individualized support and interventions, based on data-informed learning strategies, for Schuler Scholars. The EC role is rooted in a case management model that is focused on assessing Scholar needs and progress, while managing and coordinating Scholar support, in collaboration with the school team: School Director, College Counselor, Scholar Coaches, Program Associates and school personnel, to ensure students are positioned to meet the academic, personal and college readiness requirements to successfully complete the program. The Educational Counselor will deliver exceptional student services to guide Scholar academic preparedness, individual growth and development, while honoring and expressing sensitivity to the multicultural, socioeconomic and regional differences of each Schuler Scholar. The position is full time and year round. 

• Primary:
  • Provide comprehensive advising of every Schuler Scholar at the school site, paying special attention to the academic and engagement on-track status and persistence 
  • Track, assess and implement Scholar support and interventions to develop positive relationships, academic mindsets, Scholar accountability and SEL/support that lead to successful completion of the Schuler program
  • Identify and address Scholar academic and engagement concerns by providing action plans/contracts alongside Scholars
  • Consult, facilitate and maintain communication with parents/guardians, teachers, counselors and pertinent agents on students matters related to academics and Scholar development 
  • Create and adjust, as needed, a 4-year course plan for each Scholar that meets the requirements of the school’s rigor guidelines to ensure viability of Schuler colleges/universities
  • Oversee grade tracking and data collection systems at school site
  • Lead discussions on Scholar status and make recommendations, in collaboration with school-based leadership team 
  • Assess and carry out withdrawal process for Scholars who are no longer on track with Schuler’s requirements
  • Collaborate with EC Lead to ensure that strategies and best practices are implemented at the school level
• Secondary: 

• Collaborate with Educational Counselors across school sites to ensure consistency of best practices and policies are executed 
• Ensure that a strengths-based support approach is followed and maintained at partnership site 
• Ensure that equitable best practices and established standards are followed and maintained in all academic programming 
• Facilitate Transitions to High School program with new Scholars and other group programming
• Participate in family engagement efforts, and communicate with families regarding Scholar progress

• Occasional:
  • Support Scholar selection process at school site
  • Provide support, as needed, for camp planning and programming. Camp attendance will be determined on a case by case basis.

What Core Competencies Make an Educational Counselor Successful 

●   Providing Consultation

● Relationship Building

●   Listening

● Attention to Detail

Education 

Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree in a related field a plus.

What We Offer

Comprehensive medical/dental/vision plans, generous PTO, disability insurance, 403(B), Life and AD&D insurance, EAP, and more.

Work and Covid Policy

The Schuler Scholar Program is currently operating on site at all of our locations.  Staff are required to be vaccinated and will consider accommodations for medical and religious-based reasons.