Director of College Counseling

Transcription

1 Director of College Counseling RANSOM EVERGLADES SCHOOL COCONUT GROVE, FLORIDA Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is an independent coeducational day school located in the historic bayside neighborhood of Coconut Grove within the City of Miami. Guided by the words of founder Paul C. Ransom, Ransom Everglades School seeks to produce graduates who believe that they are put into this world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it. Total enrollment is 1,088 students in grades 6-12, with 614 students enrolled at the Upper School campus. Ransom Everglades serves a talented and diverse student body that reflects Miami s status as an international business and trade center. Median SAT scores for the Class of 2014 were 660 Critical Reading, 680 Math, and 680 Writing. More than half of the students come from multicultural backgrounds, and approximately 20 percent of Upper School students come from non-english-speaking homes. Ransom Everglades graduates are also among the most mobile students in Florida, with 85 percent historically choosing to attend out-of-state colleges and universities, including the nation s most selective institutions. (For more information, see the attached School Profile.) The Director of College Counseling reports to the Head of School and will lead a college counseling team that includes two Associate Directors and a registrar/administrative assistant. For a position to begin in July 2016, the school seeks an experienced college admissions and/or college counseling professional who possesses exceptional communication skills and who is eager to be fully engaged in the life of Ransom Everglades. On the web: APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS INVITED

2 ABOUT RANSOM EVERGLADES SCHOOL The mission of Ransom Everglades School is to provide an educational environment in which the pursuit of honor, academic excellence, and intellectual growth is complemented by concern for the physical, cultural, and character development of each student. The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student s sense of identity, community, personal integrity, and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society. Ransom Everglades School is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It holds memberships in the National Association of Independent Schools, the Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education, the Secondary School Admission Test Board, the Southern and National Associations for College Admission Counseling, the Global Education Benchmarking Group, and the Independent Schools of South Florida, among others. The faculty are well educated, experienced, and dedicated to both their profession and their students. Seventy-two percent have an advanced degree, with 17 percent holding doctorates. The average tenure of the Ransom Everglades faculty is 19 years. Head of School Stephanie (Penny) Townsend joined the school in July 2014 after an eight-year tenure as Head of The Pennington School in New Jersey. Upper School students pursue a rigorous and deep curriculum with core courses in mathematics, social sciences, science, English, world languages (Spanish, French, and Chinese), physical education, and the arts. Each class meets four times per week, with a block period (80 minutes) each week. With an emphasis on student-centered learning, research, and interdisciplinary and experiential learning, the curriculum and pedagogy are designed to encourage students to apply knowledge, think creatively and critically, and develop innovative and original ideas. The curriculum includes 24 Advanced Placement courses and more than 90 elective offerings. Graduation requirements include 4 credits of English; 3 credits of mathematics, science, and social studies; 2 credits of world languages and physical education; 1 credit of performing or visual arts; and 5 credits of electives. An Honor System, administered by an Honor Council of 10 students and three non-voting faculty members, sets the standard for student behavior. Beyond the classroom, students take part in a wide array of extracurricular activities, including 17 sports in which more than 90 percent of students participate. Each year, Ransom Everglades students devote thousands of hours of service to worthy agencies in local, national, and international settings, including schools, day care programs, museums, hospitals, crisis centers, and nursing homes. The Ransom Everglades Volunteer Service Organization was established to provide an avenue for students to make significant personal contributions to the Miami community and beyond, and more than 20 student organizations are dedicated exclusively to service. Ransom Everglades student-athletes also understand the value of service; the REACH program (Ransom Everglades Athletes Can Help) organizes at least one service project per team per season. The school is situated on two attractive campuses one and a half miles apart. The Upper School Campus, located on Biscayne Bay, is both beautiful and well-equipped. Facilities include seven major buildings surrounding the Upper School Quad, a verdant outdoor space that serves as a gathering spot for students throughout the day. The Pagoda (featured on the first page) was the original home of Ransom Everglades. Constructed of Dade County pine with 39 limestone piers anchoring it to the ridge above Biscayne Bay, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it houses the Head of School s office, faculty offices, and a meeting space. 2

3 Ransom Everglades students are an able and accomplished group. The 153 graduates of the Class of 2014 included 18 National Merit Finalists, 19 Semifinalists, 16 Commended Students, 22 National Hispanic Scholars, and one Presidential Scholar. Seventy-five percent of that class earned AP Scholar distinction, including 46 National AP Scholars. The 586 members of the Classes of matriculated at a total of 122 institutions. Among their most frequent destinations were the following: Babson College (7) Boston College (14) Boston University (5) Brown University (8) University of Chicago (15) Columbia University (14) Cornell University (18) Emory University (10) University of Florida (17) Florida State University (10) George Washington University (19) Georgetown University (17) Harvard University (14) Johns Hopkins University (15) Lehigh University (7) University of Maryland (8) University of Miami (39) University of Michigan (17) New York University (20) Northwestern University (9) University of Pennsylvania (19) Princeton University (9) University of Southern California (9) Southern Methodist University (7) Stanford University (8) Tufts University (15) Tulane University (10) Vanderbilt University (24) Washington University in St. Louis (12) University of Wisconsin, Madison (13) Yale University (9) THE POSITION: DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING The next Director of College Counseling will join a well-functioning office that places great emphasis on providing individualized guidance as students pursue their most appropriate college fit. Strong collaboration among students, parents, teachers, and counselors is a defining feature of the office. Both of the Associate Directors have worked in selective undergraduate admissions offices. The counselors are actively involved in professional development opportunities sponsored by NACAC, SACAC, the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools, and other organizations. The Director of College Counseling reports to the Head of School. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the college counseling team, which includes two experienced Associate Directors and a registrar/administrative assistant, serving graduating classes of 150 to 155 students and their families. Design and oversee at-large programming and individualized consultations regarding selective admissions and financial aid processes. Counsel, advise, and support a group of 50 to 55 students, including essay consultation and authoring of recommendation letters by November 1. Serve as an advisor to 10 to 12 students meeting twice a week in advisory; extracurricular club/athletic participation is also encouraged. Cultivate relationships with college representatives throughout the application cycle, including helping to welcome 120+ college representatives to campus each fall. Facilitate conversations across academic departments regarding curriculum, placement, and standardized testing. Work closely with the departments of Athletics and Fine and Performing Arts. Travel to professional development opportunities provided by NACAC, SACAC, ACCIS, NAIS, the College Board, and Naviance, as well as university-sponsored tours. 3

4 WHO SHOULD APPLY: QUALITIES & QUALIFICATIONS The Director of College Counseling must possess excellent listening, writing, and public speaking skills. He/she must be highly organized, able to meet deadlines, and able to work individually and in groups. The ideal candidate will be eager to participate actively in all aspects of school life and will be comfortable being a very public presence on campus, particularly with parents. The competitive compensation and benefits package will be commensurate with experience and may include tuition remission benefits and a housing stipend. QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES A bachelor s degree in a writing-intensive discipline; a master s degree is preferred. At least five years of full-time work experience in selective university admissions and/or independent school college counseling. Professionalism and positive energy in working closely with high school students and families. Sensitivity to and a natural ability to connect with a broad cultural spectrum of students and families, including a growing sector of professional-level, first-generation American families. Exceptional time management, organizational, and presentation skills (including one-on-one, small-group, and auditorium settings). Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Naviance. Ability to generate reports and metrics for Board of Trustee meetings. Ransom Everglades is an equal opportunity employer. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS Acting on behalf of Ransom Everglades, Wickenden Associates is recruiting talented college counseling and/or college admissions professionals who possess the skills, personal qualities, and experience necessary to meet the requirements of this appealing position. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact one of the Senior Search Consultants, Linda Knights ([email protected]) and Zachary White ([email protected]). Both can be reached at Applicants should submit the following: A cover letter explaining why they are particularly interested in and qualified for this position. A current résumé. (Optional) Other supporting material (e.g. writing samples, speeches, letters of recommendation, etc.) that would be useful. These materials should be sent via attachment to: [email protected]. The successful candidate will join Ransom Everglades in July Wickenden Associates will keep all applicants informed of their status throughout the process Herrontown Road, Princeton, New Jersey Tel: Fax: Website: [email protected] 4

5 RANSOM EVERGLADES SCHOOL Upper School 3575 Main Highway Coconut Grove, Florida Middle School 2045 South Bayshore Drive Coconut Grove, Florida Fax CEEB/ACT Code: School Profile Head of School Stephanie G. Townsend Associate Head of School and Director of the Upper School Michael Ferguson Director of the Middle School Rachel Rodriguez Director of Studies John A. King, Jr., Ph.D College Counseling Staff: Director Steven Wong Frappier Associate Director Claudia Jolivert SCHOOL BACKGROUND Ransom Everglades School is an independent, non-profit, coeducational, college preparatory day school open to all students without regard to race, religion, or national origin. Ransom School, established in 1903 and enrolling boys only, and Everglades School for Girls, established in 1955, formed a corporate merger on July 1, Full coeducation began in September, 1975, with a Middle School (grades 7 and 8) on the former Everglades campus and an Upper School (grades 9 through 12) on the former Ransom campus. An inaugural sixth grade class was added to the Middle School in the fall of Total enrollment in grades 6 through 12 is approximately 1,088 students, 153 of whom are seniors: 50% of the student body comes from ethnically multicultural backgrounds; average class size is 14.8 students. Although the school attracts most of its students from professional and executive-level family backgrounds, a diversified school community is sought and fostered through a generous program of financial aid. Additional diversification results from increasing numbers of foreign students (and American students with previous schooling abroad) whose families have relocated to Miami, an international business and trade center located in the country s seventh most-populous county. ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIP Ransom Everglades School is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Membership is held in the Southern and National Associations for College Admission Counseling, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools, and the College Entrance Examination Board, among others. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Twenty-three credits are required for graduation, and the student must earn these credits in grades In addition to the total credit requirement, specific subject requirements are: Associate Director Djiara Meehan [email protected] Assistant to the Director and Registrar Haydee Santiago [email protected] English Social Sciences Mathematics Science World Language Fine Arts Physical Education Academic Electives TOTAL 4 credits 3 credits (Grade 9 - World Civilizations; Grade 10 or 11 - United States History) 3 credits 3 credits (Biology; 2 Elective Lab Sciences) 2 credits* (in same language: Spanish, French, Chinese) 1 credit 2 credits (no exemptions) 5 credits 23 credits * Language studied prior to grade 9 may give advanced placement, but two credits of study in one language are required in grades 9 through 12.

6 ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM 25 Subject Areas In order to maintain a balanced courseload, students are limited to taking no more than 1 AP course in 10th grade, 2 in 11th grade, and 3 in 12th grade. Permission must be granted for students wishing to exceed this courseload. All students enrolled in an AP course are required to take the corresponding exam. Humanities AP English Language* AP English Literature AP Spanish Language* AP Spanish Literature AP French Language AP Chinese Language AP Art History AP Music Theory ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCORES Score Percentage Percentage Percentage % % % % % % % % 96 13% % of 3+: 836/881 = 94.9% 836/874 = 95.7% 715/744 = 96.1% 3-year results across 2,499 exams: 95.5% of scores were 3+, average score of members (75%) of the Class of 2014 were named AP Scholars, 46 of whom earned National AP Scholar designations. 92% of the Class of 2015 has taken at least one AP exam by junior year. GRADING POLICY Credit-carrying grades, as listed below, are used to compute the grade-point average. Ransom Everglades courses that receive both grades and credit (listed on the transcript without +) are considered major courses. All GPA s are unweighted. Distinction (100-90) A+ = 12 A = 11 A- = 10 Honors (89-80) B+ = 9 B = 8 B- = 7 Satisfactory (79-70) C+ = 6 C = 5 C- = 4 Passing (69-60) D+ = 3 D = 2 D- = 1 Ransom Everglades School does not rank its students. As an indicator of our rigorous academic program and grading standards, the Class of 2015 includes only 1 student with no final grades in academic courses below A, only 11 additional students with no final grades in academic courses below A-, and only 16 additional students with no final grades in academic courses below B+. TESTING RESULTS FOR CLASS OF 2014 (153 Students) SAT Reasoning (146 students) ACT Composite (138 students) Middle 50% of scores (Median) Middle 50% of scores (Median) Critical Reading (660) (31) Math (680) Writing (680) CR+Math (1330) CR+Math+Writing (2000) Social Sciences AP US History AP European History AP World History AP US Government AP Comparative Government AP Economics* (Micro & Macro) AP Psychology Science & Mathematics AP Calculus 1 (AB) AP Calculus 2 (BC)* AP Statistics AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics 1 AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Environmental Science AP Computer Science *Note to Colleges: All Juniors take English 3, and nearly three - quarters of the class sits for the AP English Language exam. Students enrolled in Spanish Heritage 3 Honors take the AP Spanish Language exam. AP Economics prepares for both the Micro and Macro exams. The AP Calculus 2 curriculum prepares for the BC exam in addition to covering topics in Multivariable Calculus. Approximately 20% of our Upper School students come from backgrounds where English is not spoken at home. CLASS OF 2014 SAT SUBJECT TESTS Mean (Number Tested) Biology-E 655 (28) French 704 (14) Spanish 711 (63) Biology-M 646 (41) Math (90) Spanish with 753 (4) Chemistry 702 (45) Math (80) Listening English Lit 635 (43) Physics 726 (14) US History 681 (81) World History 722 (5) DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES Ransom Everglades School reports all serious breaches of community standards or potentially harmful patterns of behavior that have resulted in suspension and/or dismissal from the school. College and University Enrollment 100% of graduates attend four-year institutions. For the classes of (average class size: 147), four or more students have matriculated at the following colleges, to which 79% of recent graduates have enrolled. Babson College (7) Barnard College (4) Boston College (14) Boston University (5) Brown University (8) University of Chicago (15) Colgate University (4) Columbia University (14) Cornell University (18) Dartmouth College (4) Duke University (5) Emory University (10) University of Florida (17) Florida State University (10) George Washington University (19) Georgetown University (17) Harvard University (14) Johns Hopkins University (15) Lehigh University (7) University of Maryland, College Park (8) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (6) McGill University (5) University of Miami (34) University of Michigan (17) New York University (21) Northwestern University (9) University of Pennsylvania (19) Princeton University (9) Purdue University (4) University of Southern California (9) Southern Methodist University (7) Stanford University (8) University of Texas, Austin (4) Tufts University (15) Tulane University (10) Vanderbilt University (24) Wake Forest University (5) Washington University in St. Louis (12) Wellesley College (4) University of Wisconsin, Madison (13) Yale University (9) 6% In-State Public 8% In-State Private 13% Out-of-State Public 72% Out-of-State Private 2% International