Director Of College Counseling & Partnerships

Khan Lab School in Mountain View, CA, has engaged DovetailED to lead a search for a Director of College Counseling beginning Fall 2024. Interested candidates should review the position statement and submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a consolidated PDF to Madison Sunley, Recruiter at DovetailED Talent Sourcing, at madison@dovetailedsourcing.com.
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ABOUT KHAN LAB SCHOOL:

In 2012, Sal Khan wrote The One World Schoolhouse that outlines how modern education developed and how Khan Academy came to be. The book outlines a vision for the future of both in-person and online education given the tools we have and the need to participate in the knowledge economy. In 2014, he founded Khan Lab School to test and refine these ideas in an actual school setting.

Khan Lab School (KLS) is a non-profit independent lab school with two campuses serving over 290 students in Silicon Valley. The Lower School (grades K-6) program is located in Palo Alto, California. The Upper School (grades 7-12) is located in Mountain View, California. We believe in the importance of essential content and skills over excess information, preparing students for the future. Academic mastery is crucial, but we also prioritize student mindfulness and social-emotional learning. Our decisions are guided by what is best for our students, addressing challenges with humility, focusing on results, and maintaining high expectations for our school and students.

INNOVATIVE APPROACH:

• Mastery learning: Students have the freedom to learn at their own pace, persisting until they achieve a high level of proficiency. This is in contrast to traditional models where a student may receive an 80% on a test (showing a 20% gap in what happened to be on the exam) and then be forced to move to the next topic that builds on those gaps. This results in a majority of American students entering college needing to remediate at the middle school level.
• Flexible Learning Paths and Time for Mastery: Not everyone learns the same thing in the same way, so we need to empower students by offering them a range of choices that align with their interests and passions. Our Real World Learning and Applied Learning projects embody this principle.
• Broader Views of Success: Success should not be confined to a single definition. Our education system embraces an inclusive perspective of success and offers a wide array of opportunities for diverse approaches and outcomes.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Director of College Counseling & Partnerships will work closely with Khan Lab School students and families, supporting them through the college search, application, and decision experience. The full-time Director will collaborate with school administrators, faculty, and staff to help students identify their unique strengths, interest, and goals and match those to postsecondary opportunities. The Director will also manage partnerships with colleges and universities offering dual-enrollment courses to enrich the Khan Lab School academic experience.

We are looking for a team player who has experience in college admission and counseling and is enthusiastic about working with young people and their supporters. Our lab school model requires flexibility, humor and innovation. This is an on-site in person role based in Mountain View, CA.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a one-person College Counseling Office with support from a Registrar.
• Establish and maintain relationships with college admission officers on behalf of the School and the students.
• Counsel up to 40 students in their junior and senior year and guide them through research, self- assessments, and the application and decision-making process.
• Oversee the updating and publishing of the annual School Profile.
• Manage institutional oversight of submitting school materials in support of our KLS students.
• Coordinate the standardized testing offered by the School (PSAT, SAT AP, ACT, etc.) and serve as the School's Testing Coordinator.
• Provide oversight of the Scoir database and College Guidance Network platform and provide the students and faculty with training for their use.
• Provide regular and effective communication with families and students before, during, and following the college admissions process.
• Write the official School recommendations for each student and hold meetings with individual students and their parents as often as needed.
• Present workshops and meet with the faculty, parents, and students in grades 9-12.
• Participate in professional organizations regionally and nationally.
• Take advantage of varied professional development opportunities.
• Participate in the life and culture of the KLS.
• Teach a college counseling class.
• Serve as one of two advisors for the junior or senior class.
• Oversee and manage the School’s dual enrollment program with colleges and universities, including student enrollment.
• Other related job duties, as needed.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree required in counseling, education, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
• A strong background in college admission or high school counseling; preferably 5-8 years of experience.
  
• Prior direct experience with admissions at highly selective colleges
• Possess multi-disciplinary interests (and feel comfortable guiding students through them).
• A passion for mentoring students.
• Excited to help shape a school centered around the founder's vision in the One World Schoolhouse.
  
• Experience running educational programs and presenting on admission related topics.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• A commitment to an inclusive learning environment and workplace.
• A track record of innovation.
• A willingness to try, test, and refine.
• Experience with college planning software (Scoir).
• Strong alignment in the vision outlined below.

PHYSICAL WORK REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:

• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull up to 20 pounds as some regular organizational tasks involve moving desks, chairs, electronics, and other school supplies and equipment as needed.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Capability of moving about inside an office setting to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Ability to proficiently and frequently operate a computer and keyboard as well as other office equipment such as calculators, copy machines, printers, and projectors.
• Consistently practice safe working habits while using school supplies, equipment, and electronics as well as the ability to maintain a safe and hazard-free workstation for yourself and others at the school.
• Occasionally required to work weekends, nights, or be on-call for special events, which are sometimes held outside and require working in varying weather conditions at all times of the year.
• Ability to properly communicate information and ideas so other people can understand as well as the ability to ascertain and understand information communicated from others.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Khan Lab School is a community of learners and partners that have a deep commitment to their work. We get things done and believe that in our highly collaborative environment that anything is possible. All of our decisions are made through the lens of what is best for our students. We tackle tough questions without ego, are results oriented, and have high expectations for school and our students.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To apply, please submit the following:

• A current resume.
• A cover letter expressing your interest in, and qualifications for, this position.
• A list of 3 professional references with their names, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, job titles, and what your working relationship was with them. References will not be contacted without permission.
• Important Note: Applicants who do not meet all the position requirements will also be considered at the Assistant Director or Associate Director level.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Start Date: As soon as available, but no later than July 1st, 2025.
• Location: Mountain View, CA
  
• Status: Full-time; Salaried; Exempt
• Salary: $120,000-$140,000.00 per year
• Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match, basic life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, flexible spending account (FSA), employee assistance program (EAP plan), and generous PTO.

Khan Lab School is an equal opportunity employer. The organization does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), religion (all aspects of religious beliefs, observance or practice, including religious dress or grooming practices), marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disabilities, medical conditions (including medical history or genetic characteristics), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws or regulations.