SY 25-26 Founding Middle School Academic Counselor

Manhattan Charter Schools (the Schools) are two high-performing charter schools located on the Lower East Side in New York City. The Schools are committed to providing its students with the tools and support necessary for success. Since its founding in 2005 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Manhattan Charter School (MCS) has consistently achieved high levels of success.

In 2012, MCS opened Manhattan Charter School 2 (MCS2), a replication of MCS located a few blocks away, expanding on the groundwork laid by MCS and bringing high levels of academic achievement to more students. Our vision is to offer a high-quality, public school education that will help close the opportunity, imagination, and achievement gaps for our high-need students by empowering, inspiring, and equipping them to fulfill their potential. Our mission is to teach our students how to learn and love doing it, how to cultivate their curious minds for the rest of their lives, and how to develop a solid foundation on which to base wise choices and build meaningful lives.

Position Overview: The Founding Middle School Academic Counselor will play a pivotal role in supporting student success by designing and implementing a comprehensive counseling program. This position will focus on academic advising, social-emotional support, and collaboration with teachers, families, and community partners to ensure that all students thrive in a challenging yet nurturing environment. The ideal candidate will be an experienced and resourceful leader who is passionate about equity, advocacy, and the holistic development of middle school students.

Key Responsibilities

: Program Development: Create a comprehensive academic counseling program tailored to the unique needs of middle school students, emphasizing academic advising, goal-setting, and social-emotional growth. Student Support: Provide individual and group counseling to support students in their academic, social, and emotional development. Collaboration: Partner with teachers, families, and administrators to create personalized academic plans and interventions that align with student needs and goals.

Advisory Curriculum: Develop and implement advisory lessons focused on social-emotional learning, study skills, career exploration, and college readiness. Crisis Management: Serve as the point of contact for student crises, working to resolve conflicts and provide appropriate referrals to external resources when necessary. Data Analysis: Track and analyze academic and behavioral data to inform decisions, measure progress, and support school improvement efforts.

Community Engagement: Build strong relationships with families and community organizations to connect students with resources and opportunities. Professional Development: Train and support teachers and staff on best practices in social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, and student advocacy. Communicate with families and provide regular updates on student progress.

Participate in professional learning communities. Write lesson plans and enter grades weekly. Participate in evening events, student conferences, concerts, and other family events.

Collaborate with colleagues to align curriculum and share resources. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

: Master’s degree in School Counseling, Social Work, or a related field. New York State Certification in School Counseling or equivalent licensure. At least 3 years of experience in a school counseling or similar role, preferably in a diverse urban school setting.

Expertise in academic advising, social-emotional learning, and crisis management. Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to build systems and programs from the ground up.

Commitment to the mission and values of our charter school.

Compensation

: We offer a competitive salary and

Benefits

package, along with opportunities for leadership and professional growth within our network. Equal Opportunity Employer: Manha