School Counselor

Who We Are

Henderson Collegiate is a mission-driven public college preparatory school located in rural Henderson, NC with an unrelenting focus on character development and student achievement. We believe in 51% character and 49% academics, as we will never sacrifice a moment to teach our students character traits that will help them become great people.

Our school serves students that come from traditionally underserved communities (approximately 85% receive free or reduced-price meals, and about 94% are students of color).  However, we consistently rank in the top 9.7% of all NC schools and the top 1.3% of all NC Title I schools.  Henderson Collegiate is committed to the idea that all students can learn and create a future for themselves that is full of opportunities. We know they can do this by attending and graduating from the colleges of their choice. Our students are proving what is possible and to date, 100% of our seniors have been accepted into a 4-year college or university.  

We are both a team and family who leverage passionate people to be the best teachers and leaders that they can be. We believe in the idea that all of our staff members are school teachers, as opposed to classroom teachers, meaning that no matter your role, we are all willing to do whatever it takes to support all Henderson Collegiate students. We work together to make what most people say is impossible, happen.

Position Overview 

The School Guidance Counselor, under the leadership of the Chief Academic Officer, and in collaboration with the Leadership team, Exceptional Children’s Director, and teachers, will use effective strategies to serve the social, emotional, academic, and career needs of Henderson Collegiate students at their individual developmental levels. 

The School Guidance Counselor assists teachers, families, and students in understanding, preventing and addressing learning, behavioral, developmental and emotional  difficulties. The Counselor will further help students to cultivate the academic,  behavioral, character and social and emotional skills and competencies needed for  college and future success. By collaborating with teachers, school leaders, families, and  other mental health professionals, the School Guidance Counselor works to create safe, healthy,  and supportive learning environments for all students.  

The School Guidance Counselor acts as an educator by helping others understand more about child development, behavioral challenges and behavior management techniques, and further by growing in students the targeted social, emotional, and academic skills appropriate for their developmental levels. At Henderson Collegiate, the School Guidance Counselor is responsible for overseeing the overall school counseling program and ensuring, through data analysis, its effectiveness in meeting with the school’s mission and vision for student success. 
 

Roles and Responsibilities 

This position will include the following roles and responsibilities: 

Program Focus 

• Create a vision to define what student outcomes will look like as a result of the  program. 
• Design a program mission statement, in alignment with the school mission statement. 
• Develop program goals to define how vision and mission statements will be  measured. 

Student Competencies 

• In accordance with state and federal standards and recommendations, guide the development of the school counseling program as it pertains to cultivation of  students’ academic, career, and personal/social development. 

Program Management 

• Create and/or utilize self-reflection and assessment tools to analyze areas of strength and areas for improvement in terms of personal skills and relationships with students, families, and staff, and for program activities. 
• Track and assess use of time to determine success in meeting the goal of recommended 80% of time spent in direct services with students. 
• Meet regularly with the Chief Academic Officer and Leadership Team to develop,  discuss, and review counseling program goals and needs as they relate to the  overall mission, vision and culture of the school. 
• Collect and analyze data to measure results and assess program’s success, particularly as it relates to ensuring that every student graduates with all of the skills and competencies needed to be successful in college and beyond. 
• Create and implement action plans with activities and services geared toward healthy student development, intervention, and prevention of harmful behaviors/activities to grow targeted character skills and social and emotional competencies in students. 
• Assess how students’ social and emotional competencies and character skills impact their student achievement, behavior, and attendance, and convey assessment with the Chief Academic Officer and Leadership Team. 
• Maintain an organized calendar and schedule to ensure consistent and regular  communication with students, families, and staff as needed. 
   

Delivery of Direct Student Services 

• Create and implement a School Counseling Core Curriculum in alignment with nationally and state recommended standards to ensure that students are developing the desired character skills, competencies, attitudes, and knowledge appropriate for their developmental level. 
• Collaborate with the School Leadership Team and teachers to ensure that the  curriculum is aligned with the school’s mission, vision, and core values. 
• Coordinate ongoing, systematic activities to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans. 
• Conduct responsive services to meet students’ immediate needs and concerns as they arise. 
• Provide individual counseling, small-group counseling and crisis response as needed. 

Indirect Student Services 

• Refer students for additional services, as needed, based on interactions and data gathered regarding students’ progress and needs. 
• Consult and collaborate with parents, teachers, other educators, and community organizations to assist students, families, and staff in obtaining additional services and other resources as needed. 

Accountability 

• Analyze formal and informal data to create quarterly reports for the Chief  Academic Officer, Leadership team, and Board of Directors reflecting the overall  program performance for the school counseling program in clear and measurable terms. 
• Identify and be able to clearly communicate needs for individual students, groups of students, and the overall program to make certain that all are growing and developing in alignment with the school’s mission and vision. 

Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics 

• Required: Must hold at least a master’s degree or higher in an approved program in school counseling 
• Required: Must have experience serving low-income families 
• Required: Must have obtained a passing score on the Praxis II School Guidance and Counseling Test 
• Preferred: Two or more years of experience working in a K-12 school 
• Knowledge of federal and state special education laws and best practices for special education 
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple constituencies in culturally sensitive terms 
• Detail-oriented team player willing to roll up sleeves and get the job done 
• Model of integrity and commitment to Henderson Collegiate and our students 

The Fine Print

• Benefits: Salary range is from $62,000-$84,000 and is competitive and commensurate based on experience. Additionally, Henderson Collegiate offers a full benefits package. Staff members receive a laptop computer and are provided with classroom technology and software.
• We believe in going the extra mile for students and as a result our school day is longer than many other schools. The school day for staff is from 7:20am to 4:15pm, with one day a week staff being expected to stay until 5:00pm for professional development.