College Advisor

AMERICAN LEARNING SYSTEMS  

JOB TITLE 

College Advisor 

DIVISION/ DEPARTMENT 

Guidance

LOCATION 

Palm Beach 

REPORTS TO 

Director of College Advising & High School Principal

EXEMPTION STATUS

Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The College Advisor assists and trains on advising students concerning their academic plans and progress, academic schedule and other academic activities and goals, to assist the student in

making decisions concerning personal educational goals leading to graduation. The College Advisor plays a crucial role in advising and guiding students on their academic journey, ensuring they meet graduation requirements and make informed decisions about their educational goals. This position involves providing support in transitioning from high school to college, assisting with college planning, and helping students explore post-graduation career options. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge about the school’s programs and requirements, state requirements, for graduation and Florida state scholarship programs including Bright Futures and NCAA

  • Meet quarterly with Curriculum Department to stay abreast of course changes and program features

  • Maintain up-to-date Bright Futures and NCAA information on the AHS Course Catalog

  • Meet weekly with College Advising team for cross-training and cross-department information sharing

  • Review & Monitor requirements for Pre-Professional programs, Academic Scholarship & Fine Arts Scholarship

• Support parent nights, events, classroom visits, and grade-specific assemblies following the AHS College Advising Curriculum including but not limited to:

  • Jump Start, College Financial Planning 101, CSS Profile/FAFSA Workshops, Intro to Athletics/NCAA, Junior Workshops, College App Labs…

• Establish and maintain relationships with college representatives

  • Meet with admissions representatives frequently; host college representatives on campus

  • Visit colleges through AHS and college-sponsored tours

  • Assist and attend AHS College Fairs

• Track and analyze data, especially percentages of students admitted to universities, types of universities, and scholarships awarded

• Monitor academic progress of students; analyze progress reports; determine eligibility and satisfactory progress toward graduation; identify current and potential needs or problem areas (e.g., study skills, tutoring) and refer students to appropriate resources for assistance; communicate findings to coaches and administrators.

  • Work with students to develop skills, such as organizational and time management abilities and effective study habits; refer students to Academic Coaching and/or tutoring as needed

  • Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed; work as a team to develop success plans for students, especially those at-risk or low-performing; communicate academic probations

  • Inform students about alternatives, limitations and possible consequences of academic decisions (e.g. adding, dropping and withdrawing from courses); Authorizes course withdrawals, adds, and drops as required.

• Maintain student files and records; document all pertinent student information; update student information system regarding changes to student status.

• Assist students in the development of an educational plan including choosing a program of study and/or clarifying educational goals.

  • Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments, interviews, and individual planning

  • Help students navigate the college-planning software

  • Create student schedules according to course recommendations and student requests; make schedule changes as needed

  • Meet with each student and his/her parent(s) a minimum of two times per year (once per semester)

  • Communicate the importance of extra-curricular involvements such as sports, clubs, community service projects and opportunities

• Monitor academic progress of students; analyze progress reports; determine eligibility and satisfactory progress toward graduation; identify current and potential needs or problem areas (e.g., study skills, tutoring) and refer students to appropriate resources for assistance; communicate findings to coaches and administrators.

  • Work with students to develop skills, such as organizational and time management abilities and effective study habits

  • Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed; work as a team to develop success plans for students, especially those at-risk or low-performing; communicate academic probations

  • Inform students about alternatives, limitations and possible consequences of academic decisions (e.g. adding, dropping and withdrawing from courses); Authorizes course withdrawals, adds, and drops as required.

  • Ensure accommodations are communicated to teachers and are implemented

• Maintain student files and records; document all pertinent student information; update computerized information system regarding changes to student status.

• Chaperone overnight field trips for the advising department (college tours).

SECONDARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Teach/facilitation of Journey to College courses

• Show support for the school by attending events and serving as a support as needed

• Maintain one’s own professional development, especially in regards to college advising

  • Attend NACAC/SACAC every other year

  • Stay abreast of updates regarding testing including information from College Board and ACT

  • Stay current with trends in college planning and advising

• Demonstrate growth-mindset by participating in AHS and outside Professional Development including conducting PD for other faculty as needed

• Participates in on and off-campus events promoting American Heritage School; Assist with new student and parent orientation programs; attend College Fair

• Provides recommendations for continuous improvement to all services for academic advising purposes and to integrate practices and technology aimed at improving student service

• Maintain one’s own professional development, especially in regards to college advising

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree, Master's degree or higher preferred, from an accredited institution with course work in the appropriate field 

• Valid Florida state teaching or guidance certification, preferred

SKILLS & ABILITIES 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community 

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written)

• Ability to adapt to and be a champion of change for the good of the organization

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Office