School Psychologist

Title: School Psychologist
Location: Chicago, IL
Reports To: Principal and Director of Student Services
Salary: Starting at $71,500, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: February 2026

The mission of Distinctive Schools, an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement in historically marginalized communities, is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism.

A School Psychologist will work collaboratively with the student support team to assist in supporting the academic and emotional functioning of all students. The role involves collaboration with teachers and staff to identify the academic and behavioral needs of students in order to provide the necessary interventions to ensure success in all areas.

• Complete comprehensive psycho‑educational evaluations to identify deficits and strengths in all areas, including current social‑emotional, academic achievement, adaptive, and cognitive functioning assessments.
• Write psycho‑educational evaluation reports incorporating all current evaluative results, behavioral and classroom observational data, previous evaluative results, teacher summaries of student performance, and academic and behavioral recommendations to facilitate future educational planning and student success.
• Assist in crisis intervention/prevention practices within each school, including mental health screenings for possible social‑emotional or behavioral issues and following network protocol in emergencies (e.g., school violence, deaths, and suicidal ideation).
• Attend all student problem‑solving meetings to identify students at risk for academic and social‑emotional or behavioral difficulties; identify need areas and assist in creating intervention plans; review student data to monitor progress.
• Meet with students regularly to support those struggling with social‑emotional and/or behavioral issues, improving overall well‑being and school functioning through mental health support and practices.
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to identify classroom or individual student needs, provide academic or behavioral recommendations, support, and strategies, and monitor progress.
• Conduct classroom observations to identify students struggling academically or behaviorally, providing supports, recommendations, and strategies to teachers and staff.
• Provide positive behavioral and classroom management support by identifying evidence‑based practices and helping implement them in the classroom on an ongoing basis.

• Communicate with parents via in‑person meetings, letters, and/or emails to discuss student progress and concerns across academics and social‑emotional functioning.
• Maintain relationships with outside mental‑health organizations to foster healthy student outcomes.

• Maintain a detailed weekly/daily schedule to meet deadlines and responsibilities efficiently.
• Complete all pertinent IEP documentation promptly (psychological evaluation report, learning environment screenings, eligibility determinations, assessment summaries).
• Maintain accurate records, including an inventory of materials, assessments, and supplies.
• Daily progress notes.
• Weekly documentation of all services delivered.
• Quarterly report of student achievement (IEP report cards).

• Attend special education domain meetings to identify needs and review evaluation processes for parents and staff.
• Attend district trainings to stay current on student services practices, procedures, and policies.
• Maintain membership in professional School Psychologist organizations (State School Psychologists Association/National Association of School Psychologists) to stay updated and network.
• Attend all IEP (Initial and 3‑year reevaluation) meetings, reviewing psycho‑educational evaluation results, reports, and recommendations with parents, teachers, and staff, and determining…