Academic Advisor/College Counselor (26-27 SY)

Job Description

Job Description

About Freire Schools

Established in 1999, Freire Schools ( is a network of four charter schools across Philadelphia and Delaware whose mission is to prepare students from historically underserved communities for success in college and beyond. We're distinguished by our belief in every student who walks through our doors, our strong code of conduct and commitment to peace that ensures a safe environment for all, our sense of family throughout our community, and our joyous and engaged classrooms that focus on academic achievement. As evidence of our impact, in 2023 Stanford's Center for Research on Education Outcomes ranked Freire Schools in the top 15 in the country for academic gains out of 368 charter networks nationwide.

For this Academic Advisor position, you'll be working at Freire Charter High School in Center City, Philadelphia. Philadelphia Magazine recently named Freire Charter High School (#18) among the top high schools in Philadelphia. While we're proud of our accomplishments, we're not bound by tradition—if something isn't working, we take a proactive, solutions-oriented approach. Since Freire's founding in 1999, our network has achieved strong outcomes for students through a rigorous college-preparatory program and a deep commitment to peace, within our walls and beyond.

Freire Charter High School (9–12): 2027 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Our Academic Advisor monitors students' grades and meets regularly with students to discuss academic performance and ensure that each student is connected with the resources and supports they need to succeed. Our advisors are professional mentors who ensure all students are thriving!

• Monitor student academic performance, behavior, attendance and connect students to appropriate supports as needed
• Support students through the college counseling process, which includes providing guidance on college applications, completing financial aid, and making informed decisions regarding their post-secondary education
• Help students process their problems, plan and act upon their goals
• Serve as liaison between parents/students/teachers regarding academics/behavior/attendance
• Communicate with teachers regarding assignments and student concerns
• Work with students to develop study skills and organization skills
• Educate parents on academic expectations of their students and how to access student information

You possess an unwavering belief that every Freire student is college-capable and deserving of an ambitious future. You exude and cultivate our values of equity, love, critical thinking, and diversity while guiding students through the college process with high expectations and genuine care. We're looking for someone who meets the minimum requirements to be considered for the role.

• Bachelor's Degree required
• School counseling certification strongly preferred
• Previous college counseling and advising experience at the high school level
• Experience coordinating college and career events to increase exposure for students
• Student advising skills: Guiding students to identify long-term goals, next steps, challenges, and key resources
• Strong collaboration skills, both with an advising team and other departments that work in tandem to support students
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to use Google Workspace (e.g., Drive, Sheets, Docs) for data tracking and planning
• Working knowledge of the college application process, financial aid and scholarship opportunities

The annual salary range for this role is $55,000 - $65,000. We offer a competitive salary based on your experience and qualifications. Our benefits package includes health, dental, vision, and more. Pennsylvania employees are enrolled in Freire's 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 5% contribution from Freire.

Freire Schools is committed to maintaining a workplace environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and discriminatory harassment, in service of the policy goal to provide all persons equal access to all categories of employment regardless of a person's actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic background, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, disability, veteran/military status, or any other category protected by state or federal law.