Founding School Counselor​/Social Worker

Organization Overview

Excel Academy is a network of 5 schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that prepares students in grades 5-12 to succeed in high school and college and engage productively in their communities. The majority of our 1,700 students identify as Latino or Hispanic and will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Families choose Excel because our students consistently outperform their peers in growth and achievement and are 5x more likely to graduate from college.

At Excel, we believe that every student—regardless of race, zip code, or economic status—deserves access to a free, high quality holistic education. During their middle school journey with us, students grow at a pace faster than most peers in their state. This is possible through a combination of high expectations, rigorous instruction, and individualized support. At our nationally ranked high school, students achieve at the highest level and are poised for success in their chosen college or career path.

Everyday, our team members choose to be positive, drive their own growth, uplift one another, and hold the highest possible beliefs for what students can achieve.

Excel Academy - Rhode Island is seeking a Founding School Counselor/Social Worker to support the implementation of a variety of school-based treatments for students experiencing social-emotional challenges that interfere with their ability to access and engage in the Excel curriculum. The School Counselor/Social Worker will collaborate with administrations and educators to create conditions that support students in achieving their full potential in and out of the classroom.

This position will begin in the summer/fall of the  school year and will work with our founding cohort of 9th grade students on a part-time basis.

$55,850 - $80,000 starting salary commensurate with experience.

• Assess student needs
• Provide recommendations based on professional expertise
• Manage an ongoing caseload of students
• Communicate with parents
• Provide counseling and support services for selected students, as needed
• Work as part of the Student Support Team
• Serve as a productive member of the Excel community

• Understand how your identity markers (including race, class, and gender) impact your leadership.
• Demonstrate understanding and respect for the cultures and languages of our communities.
• Solicit and welcome collaboration and feedback from colleagues, students, families and the surrounding community.
• Understand the impact of historical and structural racism and use this lens in your decision-making.
• Take action to demonstrate personal reflections and growth and be responsive to feedback and lessons learned.

• PK-12 Social Worker License
• MSW in applicable field of social work from an accredited college or university with an LCSW or LCISW
• Minimum of 1 year experience in a school-based setting
• A commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model
• A commitment to addressing racial and economic inequity in education
• The ability to focus and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work
• An openness to change, a willingness to problem-solve, and an interest in receiving feedback for continuous improvement

• Have experience in a public or charter school setting
• Speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, Khmer, and Vietnamese
• Can clearly articulate the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and provide examples of how this commitment will be woven into all aspects of the school vision