Academic Advisor & Student Support Specialist

About ICL Academy

A new model of private online education: Connecting academics, student passions, and industry experts. ICL Academy is an online private school for grades 5-12 that aims to solve many problems facing in-person and online schools by focusing on student engagement through a personalized, blended approach that combines academics with personal passions. Its founder, Kirk Spahn, is a fourth-generation educator with over 20 years of experience specializing in digital education and youth civic engagement. ICL Academy is powered by 150 years of academic excellence. It builds on the track record of success of the Institute for Civic Leadership, a nonprofit founded in 2001 that has inspired, educated, and supported a new generation of youth civic leaders to take positive action in their local and global communities. 

ICL Academy also partners with industry experts who serve as master teachers and Champion Mentors. ICL Academy is grateful to have amazing Champions such as Novak Djokovic, Steve Nash, Bode Miller, Monica Seles, Vincent Zhou, and so many more supporting its community of students and families. ICL Academy has quickly become the #1 online school for kids pursuing their passion. 

Position Summary:

We seek a highly motivated, experienced professional to join the ICL Academy team as an Academic Advisor & Student Support Specialist. Reporting to the Dean of Counseling & Advising, this position plays an important role in supporting students and families throughout the admissions, academic planning, and enrollment process while maintaining a small caseload of ICL students.

The Academic Advisor & Student Support Specialist will partner closely with the Admissions, Academic Advising, Records, and instructional teams to review student transcripts and prior coursework, evaluate transferable credits, develop individualized four-year academic plans, and identify appropriate academic supports. This position will also oversee the review and documentation of 504 Plans, IEPs, and other accommodation-related documentation provided during enrollment and will collaborate with the Head of School, ICL Teachers, and Academic Advisors to support the implementation of appropriate accommodations within ICL’s flexible learning model.

As a member of the Academic Advising team, this position will develop meaningful relationships with students and families within their caseload and provide individualized academic planning, student support, and guidance throughout the student’s enrollment at ICL. The Academic Advisor & Student Support Specialist will also serve as a resource to the broader Academic Advising team on matters related to accommodations and other complex student support needs.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Admissions Academic Review & Course Planning:

• Partner with the Admissions and Records teams to conduct academic reviews for prospective ICL Students in grades 5-12. 
• Review and evaluate student transcripts, academic records, and prior coursework to determine appropriate credit transfer and remaining graduation requirements.
• Develop individualized four-year academic plans for incoming high school students that reflect transferred credits, current-year course placement, graduation requirements, and projected course planning through senior year.
• Identify potential academic gaps, credit deficiencies, course sequencing considerations, or other academic factors that may impact a student’s pathway toward graduation. Work in collaboration with the Head of Admissions, Head of School, and Registrar on more complex individual transcript reviews and course planning. 
• Communicate academic findings and recommendations to the Admissions team to support informed enrollment and course placement decisions.
• Partner with the Academic Advising team to ensure a smooth transition from the admissions process into ongoing academic advising.
• Maintain accurate academic review documentation and four-year plans within the appropriate student information systems.

504, IEP, Psych-Ed Evaluations & Accommodation Support:

• Review 504 Plans, IEPs, Psych-Ed Evaluations, and other educational support documentation provided during the admissions and enrollment process, or after enrollment. 
• Identify documented accommodations and determine their applicability within ICL Academy’s flexible instructional model.
• Document relevant student support information and create and maintain ICL Accommodation Plan when applicable.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records related to student accommodations and educational support needs.
• Partner with Head of School, Academic Advisors and ICL Teachers to communicate and clarify student accommodations and support their appropriate implementation.
• Collaborate with the Head of School and the Dean of Counseling & Advising when requested accommodations fall outside the scope of ICL’s flexible program and require additional consideration or support. 
• Partner with the Academic Advising team when students or families request testing accommodations for the ACT, SAT, or other standardized assessments.
• Assist with the review and coordination of documentation required for standardized testing accommodations, as appropriate.

Student Advising & Support:

• Maintain a small caseload of approximately 60 students and develop individualized, supportive relationships with students and families.
• Serve as a consistent academic and student support resource for students within the Advisor’s caseload.
• Monitor academic progress and proactively identify students who may benefit from additional academic, organizational, or school-based support.
• Support students with academic planning, course selection, graduation requirements, goal setting, and post-secondary planning.
• Maintain accurate and updated four-year plans for students within the Advisor’s caseload, incorporating transferred credits, current coursework, graduation requirements, and post-secondary goals.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) eligibility guidelines and the University of California (UC) admissions requirements.
• Guide a small number of senior students (if and when 12th graders are on the Advisor’s caseload) and their families in all aspects of the college admissions planning process, including the development of the college list, standardized testing, timing of applications, college essays, letters of recommendation, and financial aid and scholarships.
• Collaborate with teachers, Academic Advisors, and families to develop appropriate strategies and supports for students experiencing academic challenges.
• Support students with organization, time management, goal setting, and other executive functioning skills as appropriate.
• Serve as a resource to Academic Advisors regarding accommodations, and other or student support matters including testing accommodations for the ACT/SAT..etc.
• Refer students with significant academic, social-emotional, or mental health concerns to the Dean of Counseling & Advising or other appropriate resources.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date student records, including relevant academic, student support, and accommodation information.
• Support student retention by proactively communicating with students and families and collaborating with the broader student support team.

Collaboration & School Support:

• Work collaboratively with the Head of School, Dean of Counseling & Advising, Academic Advising, Admissions, Records, and instructional teams to support the academic success and well-being of ICL students.
• Liaise with the Records and Academic Advising team as needed to ensure accuracy of student transcripts, credits, academic records, and graduation plans.
• Participate/Lead in collaboration and student support meetings as appropriate.
• Support the development and refinement of school-wide processes related to accommodations and student support.
• Support and participate in key virtual webinars, orientations, and other programming designed to support students’ and families’ transition to ICL.
• Participate in school-wide retention efforts and strategies.
• In partnership with the Director of Community Engagement, support student and family engagement through participation in appropriate community-building events.
• Support the planning and implementation of the school’s annual year-end celebration.
• Attend the annual year-end celebration.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Job Requirements, Skills, and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Graduate degree in school counseling or academic advising strongly preferred.
• Experience working with 504 Plans, IEPs, and/or student accommodations strongly preferred. 
• College admissions experience, at either the college or high school levels, preferred.
• Tutoring and/or academic advising experience preferred.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment when working with sensitive student information. 
• Familiarity with ACT and SAT testing accommodation processes preferred. 
• Technologically proficient in student information systems required.
• Highly organized.
• Outstanding interpersonal and community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• A professional who operates with ethics and integrity.
• High degree of flexibility.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits:

• Sponsored Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• Sponsored 401K Plan
• Sponsored $50K Life Insurance included for all employees
• Flexible PTO
• Remote/Work from Home and flexible hours
• Professional development

ICL Academy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other status of an individual or that individual’s associates or relatives that is protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.