Secondary School Admissions Counselor

The Country School is a PK-8th grade co-educational school in Easton, Maryland. It has two academic divisions: Lower School (grades PK-4th) and Upper School (grades 5-8).

8th grade graduates of The Country School continue their education at over twenty-two different high schools from local public schools to highly competitive boarding schools across the country, primarily on the East Coast. The Secondary School Admissions Counselor is tasked with developing and maintaining a strong relationship with secondary school admissions offices as well as facilitating the application process for our students. This work includes supporting students and families through the process of identifying schools, visiting and interviewing, applying for admissions, and seeking financial aid support. Analogous to a College Counselor, the Secondary School Counselor works closely with the Head of School, Upper School Head and teachers to prepare a deeply personalized school recommendation letter for each student, tracks and organizes teacher recommendations, and coordinates with the registrar to send grades and transcripts to schools.

The Secondary School Admissions Counselor plans and hosts the annual Secondary School Fair at TCS each fall and invites admissions representatives from boarding schools to present to students and families each spring about the boarding school experience. Additionally, the individual in this role cultivates a meaningful relationship with the schools TCS graduates have matriculated to and remains in contact with schools throughout the admissions process each cycle.

The Secondary School Admissions Counselor instructs 8th graders in the fall and 7th graders in the spring through once-a-week classes that illuminate the search and application process, prepare students for generic standardized assessments, and offer practice interview sessions. Additionally, SSAT preparation classes are offered to support students wishing more preparation for secondary school admissions tests than is offered in the regular curriculum.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Guide and advise students and parents through all aspects of the high school

search and application process, including academic profile and fit, standardized

testing, application completion, campus visits, and matriculation decisions. The

average student caseload is 35 students annually.

• Teach 7th and 8th grade classes on the secondary school search process.
• Communicate effectively with students, administrators, parents, coaches, advisors, classroom teachers, and all others involved in the high school search process.
• Assist with standardized testing programs, including test-day administration of ERBs, and SSAT preparation classes.
• Organizes the annual Secondary School fair, hosts representatives from the Mid-Atlantic Boarding School Group, and hosts other high school representatives visiting The Country School.
• Works as a steward on behalf of The Country School by creating and maintaining relationships with high schools.
• Meets regularly with the Head of School and the Upper School Head.

QUALIFICATIONS

• • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written) are required, as are patience and empathy for adolescents and their families as they navigate the high school process.
  • Knowledge of regional secondary schools, boarding and day, public, private, and parochial.
  • Familiarity with commonly used application platforms (Standard Online Application and Gateway) or digital fluency sufficient to adapt readily.
  • Keen attention to detail, flexibility, collegiality, and independent initiative are vital personal qualities to succeed in this position.
  • Bachelors degree.
  • Familiarity with high school or college admissions, preferred but not required.