Director of College Counseling 2021-22

Director of College Counseling

(Academic year 2021-2022)

Reports to:         Assistant Head of School

Term date:         July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022

Overview of Position

Sonoma Academy, an independent, co-ed, college preparatory high school serving students from Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and Lake Counties, seeks a full-time Director of College Counseling for the 2021-2022 school year. 

The Director of College Counseling is responsible for guiding SA students and families through a successful transition to post-secondary education and the right fit school for our students. The Director will educate our community about the complex issues related to college admissions and they will help us consider the big picture and how college education and opportunity fits into it. With this outlook, the Director will lead our community in discourse around the “college” topics and related themes as they pertain to students, parents, faculty, and administrators. The Director of College Counseling must also establish and maintain successful relationships with colleges and universities across the country and be an active member of professional organizations.  

Our campus is located on a 34-acre site at the foot of Taylor Mountain in southeastern Santa Rosa, approximately one hour north of San Francisco. Our commitment to socioeconomic diversity ensures that approximately 50% of our student body receives financial aid. We also have an extraordinary Davis Scholars program that supports all-inclusive scholarships for 4-6 Latinx first-generation students each year. Of our 335 students, 31% self-identify as students of color and 6% of our students are international students. Our students come from 80+ middle schools, ensuring a broad mixture of students from all over the greater North Bay Area.

Mission

Sonoma Academy calls its students to be creative, ethical, and committed to learning. The school nurtures inspiring teachers and engages with the surrounding community, and its students communicate across cultures as they prepare to become leaders in a dynamic world.     

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Mission

We believe that learning occurs best in a connected community. Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential to an education in which all members of our community thrive. We are committed to cultivating a diverse community that is conscious and welcoming of difference, dedicated to investigating and advancing equity, and engages with our local and global community.      

We are deeply committed to having a staff, faculty, and student body who reflect the rich diversity within the North Bay and we strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. If you would like to join us in our work, we welcome your application.

Role and Responsibilities

College Counseling     

• Meet with students individually and with families throughout the college process. 

• In partnership with the Director of Academic Services, advise students on course selection and its impact on the college selection process.

• Create, update, and teach SA’s college counseling course in fall, winter, and spring quarters. 

• Facilitate student, family, and faculty use of the online database MaiaLearning.

• Write letters of recommendation for the graduating class and advise faculty in their writing of recommendations.

• Counsel advisors and coaches on how to help students through the college selection process.

• Oversee the planning and coordination of the annual Spring Break College Tour for students.

• Provide college financial aid education opportunities for students and parents.

• Support the Named Scholars as well as first generation college-bound and high-financial need families through processes specific to their needs.

• Provide grade level college informational sessions for students and parents throughout the year.

• Oversee data management of college application process and matriculation. 

Outreach

• Establish and maintain ongoing relationships with college admission officers.

• Host more than 80-90 college admissions representatives on campus each year.

• Plan and coordinate regular informational meetings for families on topics related to the college application process.

• Coordinate participation in Marin Case Studies program and other events with North Bay schools.

• Represent Sonoma Academy in the following professional associations:

The National Association for College Admission Counseling 

The National College Board

The Western Association for College Admission Counseling 

The Bay Area Independent School College Counseling Association 

Administrative Responsibilities

• Attend weekly meetings with the school’s academic council and the calendar committee.

• Prepare college admissions reports for the board of trustees and administrative team and give an annual end-of-year report to the board.

• Oversee SAT, AP and PSAT site coordination.

• Work with the Director of Communications on annual publications and maintenance of the college counseling portion of the school’s website.

• Establish and maintain a yearly budget for the college counseling office.

• Review, adjust, and expand the college counseling program each year.

• Supervise and collaborate with the Associate Director of College Counseling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required

• A minimum of five years’ teaching and administration experience, including in college counseling or college admissions.

• Knowledge of independent schools.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated leadership and facilitative skills.

Desired Skills and Experiences

• Committed to working in a community of diverse students and learners; actively supports adolescent growth and well-being

• Capacity to effectively facilitate discussions and debates with varied points of view

• Practices cultural competency in all aspects of school life

• Flexibility, resilience, good humor

To apply, please visit our website: https://www.sonomaacademy.org/about/employment 

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Works in a highly stressful environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines and a varied and diverse array of contacts.

• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.

• Be able to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.

• Work primarily in a climate controlled office environment. 

• Work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.

Sonoma Academy is an equal opportunity employer. Sonoma Academy does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.