High School College Counselor (Immediate Opening)

About Us:

Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools (www.freedomprep.org) is a network of Prek-12 free public charter schools serving students in Memphis, TN, and Birmingham, AL. Our mission is to prepare all students in grades Prek-12 to excel in college and in life. Since our founding in 2009, we have grown from a class of 96 sixth grade students to now serving over 1950 students across multiple campuses. In 2024, we expanded into Birmingham, AL, starting with grades K-1, with plans to grow to a K-5 campus. 

At Freedom Prep, we are committed to transforming education for students of color across the South, ensuring they have access to high-quality educational opportunities that empower them to thrive. Over the past 15 years, our students have consistently exceeded both local and state averages in math and have surpassed local benchmarks in English language arts on state assessments. Our mission is guided by three core beliefs: every child deserves the right to a high-quality public education, character development is essential to student success, and exposure to diverse opportunities builds the confidence and skills needed to excel in college and in life.

At Freedom Prep, we cultivate a structured, academically rigorous environment that fosters excellence in core subjects, promotes advanced academic skills, and encourages students to embody the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Excellence, and Community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Freedom Preparatory Academy seeks a High School College Counselor specializing in academic counseling and socio-emotional support for all students. As a counselor at Freedom Prep Academy, you will be expected to both introduce and help students develop and navigate the college search process to find a higher education institution that best meets their needs and abilities: academically, socially, philosophically, and economically. Counselors will work closely with other team members to support the student.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Freedom Preparatory Academy welcomes counselors who are relentless in their aim to see student achievement and who want to hone their skills as effective leaders in the school. We are also seeking applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to the educational mission, vision, and goals of Freedom Prep Academy.

Below are some of the tasks required of counselors:

*Embodies and models the network’s core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, community, and excellence for our students, families, and colleagues

*Upholds the school culture of high academic and behavioral expectations through continuous reflection, flexibility, and growth

*Fosters students’ positive view of self and supports children’s learning through social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development

*Communicates effectively and maintains strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues

*Creates and maintains positive classroom culture and community

*Reinforces school-wide rules and expectations

*Meet regularly with students to assess and monitor academic progress

*Assist with school programs and events

*Help students develop a plan for their academic career that corresponds with their skills and interests

*Uses detailed data analysis of student performance to inform best practices

*Make students and families aware of school and community resources that can provide additional information or assistance to help students be successful

*Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, administrative and district regulations  

*Works an extended school day to allow for collaboration, professional development, and ample communication with parents and other staff members

*Works closely with the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, and Dean of Students to develop and implement strategies for all students to reach success

*Completes other tasks as assigned by the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, or other School Based Administrative employees

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:               

-Bachelor's Degree required

Certification:

-Valid Tennessee Counseling license -OR-

-Valid Counseling license from a state that offers reciprocity with TN -OR-

-Enrollment in a certification program with eligibility for a recommendation of licensure by the program or district

-Eligibility for Tennessee Counseling license required

Experience:                

-Two to four years of urban counseling and educational leadership experience is preferred

-Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

-College planning and advising with high school students

We are excited that you are inspired or called to learn more about our mission, values, and potential opportunities. We’d encourage you to explore a few additional resources about us, the recent investment for what’s possible, and why you should consider our community as a place for you to become a part of. We are one of the few networks that centers the whole person and their needs to thrive and support themselves and their families in the South.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION: At Freedom Prep, we prioritize transparency in everything we do. We believe that open communication fosters trust and collaboration. As part of this commitment, we make our salary scales available online for you to view, ensuring clarity and fairness in our compensation practices. You can view our compensation scales on our website. Please click HERE to be redirected.

Check out some of the unique and rare benefits here, including but not limited to: 

-Paying higher, scaffolded teacher salaries from Year 1 to retirement stage

-Zero dollar monthly premium options, including holistic options such as chiropractic or acupuncture care (TN ONLY)

-Focus on staff well-being and collective care through our Adult Social-Emotional Learning

-Support in obtaining licensure

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: Freedom Preparatory Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.