ABOUT MCDS
Founded in 1938, Miami Country Day School is PK3-12 college preparatory learning community committed to educating the whole child. Through the core values of honor, respect, wisdom compassion, and purpose, we prepare students to be lifelong learners and global citizens. Students are at the center of everything we say and so. We value every student, every day, everywhere. For more information about MCDS, visit Miami Country Day School.
Miami Country Day School is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Associate Director of College & Academic Counseling for the 2024-25 academic year. The newly expanded college and academic counseling team consists of the director, five full-time associate directors, and one coordinator. Through active collaboration with the Upper School Associate Director, faculty, and colleagues across the school, the team offers a student-centered program that supports every student throughout their Upper School experience. Supporting the School’s commitment to the development of the whole child, the college and academic counselors ultimately empower students as they navigate an increasingly complex college admission process and help prepare them to matriculate to the college of best fit with confidence and competence.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND TASKS:
Beginning in the Spring of 9th grade, the Associate Director of College & Academic Counseling will be expected to perform these essential tasks:
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Offer personalized guidance to a cohort of approximately 24 students in each grade, encouraging them to establish and maintain a strong academic and co-curricular foundation for the future.
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Ensure that every student is known, nurtured, and feels a sense of belonging.
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Meet established deadlines, maintain accurate and up-to-date records, and handle confidential materials and information with discretion.
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Advise rising 10th-12th grade students on course selection and progression.
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Foster a collaborative student-parent-school partnership by facilitating communication between faculty and individual families in student academic planning and performance and the college admission and application process.
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Educate students and parents on the breadth of postsecondary institutions and their respective selectivity levels to guide them appropriately as they seek to maximize the students’ Upper School experience.
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Plan and present about the importance of being able to demonstrate academic progress, intellectual curiosity, community engagement, and personal growth in their college applications.
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Assist students in developing their resumes by documenting their honors, awards, extracurricular activities, and outside experiences in SCOIR for use in the college application process.
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Write recommendation letters for seniors applying to college and for 10th and 11th grade students applying for summer and enrichment programs.
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Facilitate college presentations at MCDS, engage in webinars and college tours, and actively participate in professional development conferences hosted by college admission counseling associations such as ACCIS, NACAC, and SACAC.
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Provide guidance to students and families in the development of well-balanced college lists and action plans, support and monitor each student’s college applications, and write effective and authentic letters of recommendation for assigned students.
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Assist with the development and delivery of college-related programming to educate all MCDS constituents on the landscape of both national and international college admissions.
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Engage in all necessary activities, including attending college visits and professional conferences, to uphold and enhance a proactive and dynamic college counseling program.
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Collaborate closely with faculty and staff to effectively present Miami Country Day School to college admissions representatives, articulating the exceptional standards and unique attributes of MCDS, its curriculum, programs, as well as its student and family community.
