Assistant Director of College Counseling

Description

The Assistant Director of College Counseling works with The Village School/Quest For Success to oversee all aspects of the college counseling process, and works closely with the Upper School teaching team who assist with college essay writing. The Assistant Director will play a significant role in working collaboratively with academic departments as they continue to refine the dynamic and rigorous college preparatory curriculum aligned with The Village School of Naples’ Portrait of a Graduate.

The Assistant Director will be knowledgeable about all Upper School students’ college selections and will work with Quest to meet with all families in the process of college application.

This is a year-round (12 month), Monday-Friday position beginning Summer 2024.

Join Our Team at The Village School of Naples

The Village School of Naples is a private, co-educational, independent school offering pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade students an innovative and impactful educational experience in an inclusive Christian environment. Our school faculty and staff are on a dynamic journey of growth, and we are excited to invite dedicated and passionate professionals to join our team for the 2024-2025 school year. At The Village School, we take pride in fostering an educational environment that values inquiry-based, student-centered learning. Our commitment is to empower and inspire students to become critical thinkers and innovative problem solvers in the face of challenges in our ever-changing world.

About Us

The Village School of Naples is more than an institution; it is a vibrant community committed to shaping the future leaders of tomorrow. Our educational approach is rooted in hands-on experiences, fostering an atmosphere where creativity and curiosity thrive. We believe in a holistic approach to education, emphasizing not only academic excellence but also the development of character, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning. We are fully accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) and affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). We are also members of the National Honor Society and most recently, we were recognized by the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) program as a Platinum school. Platinum is the highest of four levels of distinction awarded to high schools nationwide.

Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the college search and application process for an Upper School of approximately 130 students with high and varied expectations regarding colleges to help them select a “just right” college or university;
• Working effectively with Quest, the Registrar and with members of the Upper School administrative team;
• Managing the College Counseling budget;
• Advising, guiding, and supporting approximately 45 juniors, seniors, and their families each year throughout the entire college search and application process;
• Coordinating with members of the Upper School administrative team and the Registrar to advise students on course selection;
• Writing effective letters of recommendation and communicating with colleges;
• Organizing and submitting support materials for college and scholarship applications, including recommendations and transcripts;
• Working with Quest to plan and host on-campus programs for parents, students, and college representatives;
• Planning and chaperoning an annual college trip;
• Working with Quest to arrange college visits, hosting college representatives, and orchestrating an annual College Fair;
• Attending regular department, faculty, and division meetings;
• Working effectively with the Office of Admissions and the Office of Communications to accurately and regularly market the school and share college-related news;
• Maintaining an up-to-date content published by Marketing and Communications on the school’s website for all things college-related;
• Overseeing publication of a regular College Counseling newsletter and its dissemination to the larger Village School community;
• Preparing a year-end report for the Upper School administration, the Leadership Team, and the Board of Trustees;
• Leading strategic planning efforts for the Office of College Counseling and ensuring the complementarity of these efforts with the larger educational objectives of the school;
• Representing The Village School of Naples at regional and national conferences, as well as visiting colleges;
• Fulfilling other responsibilities assigned by the Upper School Head or the Head of School as deemed appropriate for the position.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

The ideal candidate possesses an advanced degree in educational administration or fields related to the school’s curriculum, although a bachelor's degree is a minimum requirement. Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Five years of admission and financial aid experience at the college or university level or five years of college counseling experience at a private, independent school
• Demonstrated success in educating young men and women
• Experience in communicating a complex subject to a variety of audiences, both written and verbal forms
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• A sense of humor, humility, and the ability to develop and relate to our students
• A collaborative and collegial leadership style that encourages faculty to take risks and explore passions
• Model the benefits of lifelong learning by actively pursuing professional growth opportunities in accordance with the school’s Professional Growth and Evaluation Plan
• Strong written and verbal skills coupled with excellent interpersonal communication and relationship skills

Why Join The Village School?

• Innovative Teaching Philosophy: We embrace an energetic and hands-on approach to education, providing our teachers and specialists with the freedom to inspire and be inspired by their students.
• Collaborative Environment: Collaboration is at the heart of our educational philosophy. We believe that together, we can achieve more, and our faculty actively engages in ongoing discussions about interdisciplinary S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math) and project-based learning.
• Student-Centered Learning: Our commitment to the whole student goes beyond academics. We strive to create an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Beyond academics, our students are known, nurtured, and loved.
• Experiential Learning Opportunities: As a teacher or learning specialist at The Village School, you will have the opportunity to contribute to student research and experiential learning, creating a classroom experience that extends beyond traditional boundaries.
• Mission-Driven Community: Our mission is clear – to provide an environment that empowers and inspires students to think critically and create innovative solutions. By joining The Village School, you become a vital part of a community dedicated to shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

If you are passionate about education, embrace innovation, and are ready to be part of a community that values gratitude, growth and collaboration, we invite you to explore opportunities at The Village School of Naples. Join us in our mission to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy, religion, disability/handicap, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements of all applicable federal, state, and local laws.