The Siena School
Details
Posted:
12-Mar-25
Location:
Maryland
Type:
Full Time
Salary:
$80,000 - $90,000
Categories:
College Counseling
Internal Number:
1
The Director of College Counseling is a key position within The Siena School, dedicated to supporting students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia. This is an exciting opportunity to inspire and support students as they work towards opportunities post-graduation. The Director of College Counseling will oversee the comprehensive college counseling program, providing expert guidance throughout the academic journey, from college selection to application. The Director will work closely with students, families, faculty, and external college representatives to ensure a holistic, informed, and efficient college application process. The role also incorporates leadership of high school programming which supports competitive college applications, such as dual enrollment. This individual will maintain strong relationships with college admissions officers and keep the school community up to date on trends in college admissions. The Director will perform these duties with a commitment to the school’s mission, ensuring a personalized and comprehensive college counseling experience for every student. This is a full time, exempt, 10-month position (plus one week for summer testing).
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
College Counseling and Admissions:
Oversee the administration of all college counseling events, including presentations, workshops, and informational sessions. Develop and maintain a positive, supportive environment for both students and families throughout the college admissions process that fosters a sense of belonging. Guide students in developing individualized college lists based on academic, social, and personal interests, ensuring a good fit for each student. Provide one-on-one counseling, assisting with applications, essays, personal statements, scholarship applications, and interviews. Communicate regularly with families and students about deadlines, testing requirements, college visits, scholarship and financial aid opportunities, helping students navigate these processes. Write letters of recommendation for graduating seniors and coordinate teacher recommendations. Cultivate relationships with college admissions officers, ensuring effective communication and advocacy for students. Organize at least one college visit field trip for students, and coordinate on-site information sessions with college admissions officers providing exposure to a variety of institutions. Represent the school at regional and national conferences (e.g., NACAC), and engage in college tours to stay informed on college trends and requirements. Oversee the development of the School Profile, ensuring it accurately represents the school to colleges. Oversee ACT testing, including facilitating testing accommodations for students, and analyze testing data and trends, providing feedback to students and families on scores and college admissions requirements. Support connections with alumni and analyze their college progress, e.g., through National Student Clearinghouse data.
Academic Leadership, Advising and Course Planning:
Facilitate and lead expanded high school opportunities, including internships, dual enrollment, specializations, the pre-college experience, and individualized language options. Collaborate with members of the Central Office, campus leadership and faculty to ensure smooth coordination of course schedules and academic advising. Support students in selecting appropriate high school courses that align with their college goals. Advise students on maintaining a strong academic record to meet graduation requirements and college admissions standards. Collaborate with members of Central Office and campus leadership to identify/develop new high school opportunities and school advancement.
Strategic Leadership and Community Engagement:
Serve as a resource for the school community on all matters related to college admissions, advising, and transitions. Present on college admissions trends, student progress, and post-graduation outcomes to school leadership. Foster a community-oriented approach, integrating school values and priorities into the college counseling process. Stay current with college admissions trends, including changes to testing policies, application processes, and financial aid programs.
Other Duties On-campus presence across the campuses in Silver Spring, MD, and Oakton, Northern Virginia; office based at the Forest Glen Campus in Silver Spring. Opportunities for some remote work with approval from the Executive Head of School. Participate in school-wide events, meetings, and initiatives that support the school community and promote a positive, inclusive learning environment. Some evening and weekend hours are required. Other duties may be assigned from time to time. Benefits:
Benefits include comprehensive insurance (medical, dental, and vision coverage); short-term and long-term disability coverage, including optional life insurance; 401(K) retirement plan with employer contributions; paid leave including vacation, holidays, parental, bereavement, and sick leave; SmartBenefits (for Metro transportation); tuition remission for eligible employees; sponsored professional development; discounted facility rentals and free parking.
Qualification And Skill Requirements Advanced degree preferred. Experience in college counseling or a related field. In-depth knowledge of college admissions processes, financial aid/scholarships, standardized testing and accommodations. Familiarity with various platforms families will encounter (e.g., FAFSA form, Common Application, CSS Profile) and related tools. Strong understanding of and training in evidence-based instructional practices and assistive technologies for students with specific-learning differences, ADHD, and executive-functioning difficulties. Demonstrate commitment to valuing belonging and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. High-level organizational skills, follow-through, flexibility and strong problem-solving skills, with a focus on student-centered solutions. Excellent interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills (both written and verbal), with students, families, and colleagues. Proven ability to work effectively with students, families, and professionals in a variety of settings. Strong leadership skills, with experience collaborating within a team environment. Ability to stay current with trends and changes in the college admissions landscape. Physical Requirements:
Moderate physical work is required for this position including frequent walking, standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching and reaching. Must have the ability to lift, carry, push or pull equipment/boxes that weigh up to 10 pounds. Must be able to speak clearly and understand the speech of others.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification forms upon hire.
About The Siena School The Siena School has become a national leader in educating bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia. With three campuses in the Washington, DC, area, Siena serves grades 3-12 and has a strong national reputation and growing enrollment. Siena's Forest Glen (grades 5-12) and Satellite (grades 3-4) campuses are in Silver Spring, MD, and Siena's Northern Virginia (grades 3-12) campus is in Oakton, VA. The school enrolls approximately 36% students of color. Siena focuses on the professional development of its staff, who are regularly published and have presented at national and international conferences, including the NAIS Annual Conference. Siena is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Siena School is committed to equitable hiring practices, and enthusiastically encourages professionals of all backgrounds to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Posted:
12-Mar-25
Location:
Maryland
Type:
Full Time
Salary:
$80,000 - $90,000
Categories:
College Counseling
Internal Number:
1
The Director of College Counseling is a key position within The Siena School, dedicated to supporting students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia. This is an exciting opportunity to inspire and support students as they work towards opportunities post-graduation. The Director of College Counseling will oversee the comprehensive college counseling program, providing expert guidance throughout the academic journey, from college selection to application. The Director will work closely with students, families, faculty, and external college representatives to ensure a holistic, informed, and efficient college application process. The role also incorporates leadership of high school programming which supports competitive college applications, such as dual enrollment. This individual will maintain strong relationships with college admissions officers and keep the school community up to date on trends in college admissions. The Director will perform these duties with a commitment to the school’s mission, ensuring a personalized and comprehensive college counseling experience for every student. This is a full time, exempt, 10-month position (plus one week for summer testing).
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
College Counseling and Admissions:
Oversee the administration of all college counseling events, including presentations, workshops, and informational sessions. Develop and maintain a positive, supportive environment for both students and families throughout the college admissions process that fosters a sense of belonging. Guide students in developing individualized college lists based on academic, social, and personal interests, ensuring a good fit for each student. Provide one-on-one counseling, assisting with applications, essays, personal statements, scholarship applications, and interviews. Communicate regularly with families and students about deadlines, testing requirements, college visits, scholarship and financial aid opportunities, helping students navigate these processes. Write letters of recommendation for graduating seniors and coordinate teacher recommendations. Cultivate relationships with college admissions officers, ensuring effective communication and advocacy for students. Organize at least one college visit field trip for students, and coordinate on-site information sessions with college admissions officers providing exposure to a variety of institutions. Represent the school at regional and national conferences (e.g., NACAC), and engage in college tours to stay informed on college trends and requirements. Oversee the development of the School Profile, ensuring it accurately represents the school to colleges. Oversee ACT testing, including facilitating testing accommodations for students, and analyze testing data and trends, providing feedback to students and families on scores and college admissions requirements. Support connections with alumni and analyze their college progress, e.g., through National Student Clearinghouse data.
Academic Leadership, Advising and Course Planning:
Facilitate and lead expanded high school opportunities, including internships, dual enrollment, specializations, the pre-college experience, and individualized language options. Collaborate with members of the Central Office, campus leadership and faculty to ensure smooth coordination of course schedules and academic advising. Support students in selecting appropriate high school courses that align with their college goals. Advise students on maintaining a strong academic record to meet graduation requirements and college admissions standards. Collaborate with members of Central Office and campus leadership to identify/develop new high school opportunities and school advancement.
Strategic Leadership and Community Engagement:
Serve as a resource for the school community on all matters related to college admissions, advising, and transitions. Present on college admissions trends, student progress, and post-graduation outcomes to school leadership. Foster a community-oriented approach, integrating school values and priorities into the college counseling process. Stay current with college admissions trends, including changes to testing policies, application processes, and financial aid programs.
Other Duties On-campus presence across the campuses in Silver Spring, MD, and Oakton, Northern Virginia; office based at the Forest Glen Campus in Silver Spring. Opportunities for some remote work with approval from the Executive Head of School. Participate in school-wide events, meetings, and initiatives that support the school community and promote a positive, inclusive learning environment. Some evening and weekend hours are required. Other duties may be assigned from time to time. Benefits:
Benefits include comprehensive insurance (medical, dental, and vision coverage); short-term and long-term disability coverage, including optional life insurance; 401(K) retirement plan with employer contributions; paid leave including vacation, holidays, parental, bereavement, and sick leave; SmartBenefits (for Metro transportation); tuition remission for eligible employees; sponsored professional development; discounted facility rentals and free parking.
Qualification And Skill Requirements Advanced degree preferred. Experience in college counseling or a related field. In-depth knowledge of college admissions processes, financial aid/scholarships, standardized testing and accommodations. Familiarity with various platforms families will encounter (e.g., FAFSA form, Common Application, CSS Profile) and related tools. Strong understanding of and training in evidence-based instructional practices and assistive technologies for students with specific-learning differences, ADHD, and executive-functioning difficulties. Demonstrate commitment to valuing belonging and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment. High-level organizational skills, follow-through, flexibility and strong problem-solving skills, with a focus on student-centered solutions. Excellent interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills (both written and verbal), with students, families, and colleagues. Proven ability to work effectively with students, families, and professionals in a variety of settings. Strong leadership skills, with experience collaborating within a team environment. Ability to stay current with trends and changes in the college admissions landscape. Physical Requirements:
Moderate physical work is required for this position including frequent walking, standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching and reaching. Must have the ability to lift, carry, push or pull equipment/boxes that weigh up to 10 pounds. Must be able to speak clearly and understand the speech of others.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification forms upon hire.
About The Siena School The Siena School has become a national leader in educating bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia. With three campuses in the Washington, DC, area, Siena serves grades 3-12 and has a strong national reputation and growing enrollment. Siena's Forest Glen (grades 5-12) and Satellite (grades 3-4) campuses are in Silver Spring, MD, and Siena's Northern Virginia (grades 3-12) campus is in Oakton, VA. The school enrolls approximately 36% students of color. Siena focuses on the professional development of its staff, who are regularly published and have presented at national and international conferences, including the NAIS Annual Conference. Siena is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Siena School is committed to equitable hiring practices, and enthusiastically encourages professionals of all backgrounds to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr