High School Counselor - Arkansas Connections Academy

Position Summary

Working from the office in Bentonville, Arkansas, the High School Counselor will virtually assist students and parents/learning coaches with course selection, scheduling, and will be the initial point of contact for student concerns that span multiple subject areas as well as non-academic issues.

Responsibilities

• Advises students and families related to academics, career planning, and graduation;
• Keeps abreast of all high school graduation requirements, including special requirements such as community service, and communicates this information to the High School Coordinator and principal;
• Aids students and parents with the secondary school course selection process according to specific state credit and graduation requirements and student needs and interests;
• Reviews student transcripts and the entry of credits into the online transcript system;
• Fulfills procedures to ensure that Connections Academy transcripts are accurate and up-to-date;
• Works with administrative assistants to obtain school records from the student’s previous school (where applicable) and forwards student records when appropriate;
• Implements programs for students and families related to interpersonal adjustment issues;
• Collaborates with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources;
• Participates in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school and serves as a key member of the Student Support Team (SST);
• Coordinates a team of middle and high school teachers to help identify students who are “at risk” or “in crisis”;
• Acts as the main point of contact for these students and families, communicating regularly with them;
• Oversees and maintains the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for each student;
• Supports families through the school withdrawal process, assisting with data collection regarding withdrawal;
• Reports and refers critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards;
• Stays abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation;
• Assists teachers when students enroll mid-semester, making sure that teachers receive guidance on integrating the students into their coursework, and ensures that previous grades, credits, and evaluations are handled appropriately;
• Communicates with the Curriculum Team to ensure that curriculum offerings meet state requirements;
• Implements special programs such as Advanced Placement support, SAT and ACT Preparation, and college entrance preparation;
• Understands the requirements for and assists the principal to facilitate the administration of all high school testing, including exit exams, PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams;
• Helps students to research and understand their post-secondary career and educational options;
• Aids with student preparation of applications for college and jobs;
• Edifies students and parents about college admissions requirements and financial aid;
• Supports professional development activities for teachers and school staff members;
• Assumes teaching and grading duties as necessary, including teaching middle school elective courses;
• Collaborates in coordinating high school graduation ceremonies;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Must reside within the state of Arkansas or live 300 miles from Bentonville, AR;
• American Association of School Counselors (AASC) certification in School Counseling;
• Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products);
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
• Customer-focused approach;
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills;
• High degree of flexibility;
• Team player with demonstrated leadership skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work well in fast-paced environment;
• Willingness to travel on occasion for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel);
• Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two-step authentication.