School Counselor

Job Location:

Atlanta, GA 30310, Position Type:
Full Time, Salary Range: $68,896.00 - $

KIPP Atlanta Schools is part of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) national network of free, open enrollment, college-preparatory schools dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. There are 280 KIPP schools in 21 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 175,000 scholars and alumni. KIPP Atlanta currently operates 9 schools including four primary schools, four middle schools and one high school, as well as KIPP Forward which supports scholars on their journey to a choice-filled life.

We are a social justice organization and our vision and mission require the work of dedicated, bold and skilled leaders, educators, and support staff who are committed to serving as the catalyst for joyful, academically excellent schools and the foundation for building a more just and equitable world for our scholars.

• Good Decision-Making: “I make thoughtful decisions in alignment with my school’s and organization’s values.”
• Peer Accountability: “I hold all Big KIPPsters accountable to our schools’ and organization’s values, standards, and expectations.”
• Excellence Always: “I do all aspects of my work with excellence - the big and the little things, the parts being monitored as well as those not monitored.”
• Communication is Key: “I communicate with both honesty and love. How I communicate nurtures courage, belonging, partnership, and progress toward our promise to KIPPsters and families.”
• Scholars Over Everything: “I put our scholars first, 100% of the time, without fail. I quickly resolve any and all adult-centered concerns and qualms to reserve my individual and our collective time and attention for our KIPPsters.”
• Walk Trumps Talk: “I chose this social justice career. And so, I behave in alignment with my choice. My behaviors match our promise to our scholars and families.”
• “Us” Only: “I belong to every member of our organization, and every member of our organization belongs to me. I choose unity always - in both the good times and hard times.”

The School Counselor supports scholars’ academic and social-emotional development by providing counseling services and leading prevention and intervention supports that improve attendance, reduce chronic absenteeism, and strengthen school culture. This role partners with families, teachers, and school leaders to remove barriers to attendance; delivers Tier 1–3 counseling and SEL supports aligned to ASCA best practices; and uses data to target services and monitor impact.

Direct Scholar Support (40%)

• Provides targeted counseling supports for scholars with attendance risk factors (anxiety/avoidance, trauma, peer conflict, school belonging, executive functioning), using evidence-informed strategies and progress monitoring.
• Measures of Success
• Reduction in chronic absenteeism rate for assigned caseload/grade band (as defined by school goals)
• Improved attendance for scholars receiving Tier 2/3 attendance interventions
• Increased on-time daily attendance and reduction of “near-chronic” patterns through early intervention
• Evidence of effective tiered supports (documented plans, follow-ups, and progress monitoring)
• Positive scholar SEL indicators and decreased avoidance-related referrals/absences
• High-quality, timely documentation of counseling services and attendance interventions
• Provide individual and small-group counseling aligned to academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Facilitates re-entry conferences and short-term reintegration plans for scholars returning from extended absences or crisis events.
• Support…