Director of College Access- RISE High School

Job Description

Job Description

Location: This school-based position is 100% in person at Rocky Mountain Prep RISE. All school-based staff are essential members of our campus community, working on-site each day alongside students, colleagues, and families to create a strong school community and support student growth and achievement. This position is not remote or hybrid.

The RMP Promise

Rocky Mountain Prep is a movement of educators, families, scholars, and advocates committed to changing public education in Colorado by democratizing college access for historically marginalized students and families. We operate twelve college-preparatory schools serving students from early childhood through twelfth grade, and we are fundamentally a world-class learning organization that invests deeply in every educator who joins us. Teachers engage in ongoing coaching and professional development, supported by clear expectations, transparent feedback, and opportunities to strengthen their craft and advance along individualized career pathways grounded in our PEAK values. Rooted in a culture of rigor and love, RMP promises to coach, develop, and champion every team member so they can do their best work and grow as professionals, people, and leaders.

RMP’s Big Five Goals
Every RMP team member plays a role in advancing our shared goals for student success and organizational strength. Our Big Five Goals establish the key outcomes we are working toward together across our schools and network:

1. Student Achievement: 60% average proficiency on CMAS & PSAT by Spring 2027; zero schools rated Orange or Red on the 2027–28 Colorado School Performance Framework
2. Financial Sustainability: 5,100 students enrolled, as measured by October Count; $4MM in total philanthropic gifts during the 2026–27 school year
3. Parent Satisfaction: 90% regular attendance; no more than 10% chronic absenteeism
4. Staff Engagement & Enablement: 75% annual staff retention from July 2026 to July 2027
5. Student Persistence — Health & Wellness: 90% year-over-year student persistence from September 2026 to September 2027

Each team member contributes to these goals through their role and collaboration across RMP.

Our Approach to College Access
The Director of College Access leads Rocky Mountain Prep’s strategy to ensure secondary students are prepared to access and succeed in post-secondary education. This role builds a strong college-going culture and creates equitable opportunities for historically marginalized students by overseeing college preparation, admissions, financial aid, and post-secondary programming. The Director partners closely with school leaders, counselors, students, families, colleges, and community organizations to provide high-quality, student-centered support. Through strategic leadership, strong program implementation, and data-driven decision-making, the Director ensures students have the knowledge, resources, experiences, and individualized guidance necessary to successfully navigate their path to and through college.

Directors of College Access at Rocky Mountain Prep will...

• Develop and execute a comprehensive college access strategy aligned with RMP’s mission, vision, and values, building a strong college-going culture across secondary schools and serving as the organization’s expert on college access and post-secondary preparation.
• Design and oversee college preparation programming including college fairs, application workshops, essay support, financial aid guidance, and other experiences that prepare students to successfully navigate the college admissions process.
• Expand students’ access to rigorous college-level opportunities including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment, and other pathways that strengthen college readiness.
• Build partnerships with colleges, universities, and community organizations that expand resources, opportunities, and post-secondary pathways available to RMP students.
• Partner with school-based counselors, advisors, and school leaders to provide targeted student support across academic planning, college selection, applications, and the integration of college access into academic and extracurricular programming.
• Equip students and families to make informed decisions about college affordability, providing guidance on financial aid, scholarships, and the unique considerations first-generation college students may encounter.
• Establish and monitor key college access outcomes, using data on applications, admissions, persistence, and other indicators to identify gaps, adjust strategies, and communicate progress and impact to stakeholders.
• Lead and develop team members responsible for college access initiatives, fostering strong collaboration, professional growth, and alignment while representing RMP in regional and national conversations about college access and readiness.
• Manage and support the PEAK Plus Counselor, setting semester goals and tracking progress while strengthening systems for scheduling, workload prioritization, student relationships with professors, and pathways that support students’ success in college programs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in college access, counseling, or a related area, preferably in a secondary school setting.
• Proven track record of supporting students in college readiness and access, with a focus on equity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep knowledge of the college admissions process, financial aid systems, and post-secondary pathways.
• Strong commitment to equity and a passion for increasing opportunities for underrepresented students.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with data analysis and using metrics to drive decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a charter school or multi-site educational organization.
• Bilingual proficiency is a plus.

Other Requirements

• Within the first year of your employment, you’re required to complete CDE READ Act training or CDE Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) -45 contact hours.
• Pass a background check.
• Demonstrate Eligibility to work in the United States.
• We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

Salary

This is a full-time position with a salary range of $90,000 to $100,000, based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

At Rocky Mountain Prep, taking care of our team is essential to building joyful, academically excellent schools. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off – including vacation, personal, and sick days
• 5 Weeks of Paid Organizational Holidays – including Winter and Summer breaks
• Comprehensive Health Insurance – medical, dental, and vision coverage, with 100% of medical coverage for employee-only plans.
• Retirement Through PERA – Public Employees' Retirement Association of Colorado
• Paid Leave of Absence Options – including parental, medical, and disability leave