Potomac School McLean, VA
Director of College Counseling The Potomac School combines the highest level of academic achievement with a focus on preparing students to lead exemplary lives. With an overarching whole-child focus, Potomac students grow up as compassionate, independent thinkers with a keen sense of social consciousness, personal integrity, and academic vigor. Potomac’s unique atmosphere for learning is the result of a bold vision that requires outstanding teachers; talented, creative, motivated students; and a community that values life-long learning and generosity of spirit. All four divisions (K-3 Lower School, 4-6 Middle School, 7-8 Intermediate School and 9-12 Upper School) promote the larger School’s belief that students learn best when they learn together. The faculty work across divisions and departments with a fully integrated K-12 curriculum to ensure that skills and knowledge are taught and reinforced throughout each student’s Potomac career. Three miles from Washington, D.C., Potomac enjoys an extraordinary reputation as one of the top independent K-12 day schools in the nation. With four divisions united on its expansive 90-acre campus, Potomac prospers with a passionate and dedicated faculty, talented and enthusiastic students, and a supportive board of trustees. Potomac is at an exceptionally strong point in its history, with robust enrollment, a highly successful student body, sound and well-managed finances, and exceptional facilities. Potomac is a vibrant and healthy school that has maintained its mission and culture in the midst of unprecedented growth. A palpable idealism guides the School’s vision and character every day. A spirit of joy and camaraderie, as well as a great sense of teamwork and shared principles, exists among Potomac’s students, teachers, coaches, administrators, and parents. Each year, Potomac students produce impressive test scores and college placement results, yet the School does not view these metrics as the singular goal of its educational program. With enrollment at the highest level to date, the recent appointment of John Kowalik as Head of School, the development of several signature programs, and a century of academic excellence behind it, Potomac is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history.
Enthusiasm for the school has never been stronger, with students coming from more than 100 zip codes in Virginia, Maryland, and the District. Parents express that they have chosen Potomac for its personalized, whole-child approach to education. They “love the way it feels as a school,” and appreciate the school’s “amazing teachers who get kids to do ‘hard learning’ and to become lifelong learners.” They also recognize that at Potomac, the relationships between faculty and families are special in that there seems to be an extra level of commitment, both by families to the school and by the school to the students and families that it serves. Potomac has successfully completed six capital projects in the last 10 years. Beyond the new facilities for its Upper, Lower, and Intermediate Schools, these projects also include construction of additional tennis courts, a new turf field, and the beautiful Flag Circle Building, which serves as the school’s welcoming “front door” and houses the admissions and development offices. The campus also features three libraries, three gymnasiums, three more athletic fields, a gorgeous Performing Arts Center, tennis and squash courts, a wrestling room, science and computer labs, art and photography studios, music rooms, and an active robotics lab. The woods, streams, ponds, and wetlands on the school’s sprawling property provide a rich environment for learning. Upper School students and faculty make use of the campus’s four outdoor classrooms and expansive hiking trails. The setting makes Potomac uniquely poised to teach an environmental consciousness that links the joyful experience of nature with the imperative of stewardship. The school’s proximity to Washington provides a different—but equally indispensable—kind of extended classroom. The educational and cultural resources of the nation’s capital profoundly shape and enhance Potomac’s academic programs across all divisions. Director of College Counseling: The Director of College Counseling is a full-time position reporting to the Assistant Head of School. This position has overall responsibility for leading the college counseling program and overseeing a team of two Associate Directors and one College Counseling & Testing Coordinator. Duties and Responsibilities Support Students and Families: ● Provide strategies, advice, support, and guidance to students and their families throughout the application process to make the best individualized choice for college. ● Counsel approximately 40-45 students per class, working directly with students and their families in the college counseling process.
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Prepare and present programs to educate Upper School parents on colleges, the college search process and athletic recruitment. ● Advise students on course selection and its impact on the college admission process. ● Assist students in identifying resources for scholarships and financial aid. ● Develop and teach a college counseling curriculum for students in small-group and fullclass sessions. ● Conduct events and educational outreach for both students and parents. ● Write strong, comprehensive letters of recommendation for students applying to college and advocate for Potomac students with college admissions professionals. ● Encourage students to visit relevant colleges and college fairs. Lead the Program and Ensure its Integrity: ● Review, adjust, and improve the college counseling program each year. ● Develop and interpret extensive summary reports on students’ progress on standardized testing for the school community. ● Track college admissions decisions, provide periodic updates to the Head’s Office, and report annually to the Board of Trustees. ● Partner with College Counseling & Testing Coordinator to manage PSAT and ACT administration. ● Train faculty on writing college recommendations. Coordinate the faculty writing of requested recommendations for students applying to college. ● Coordinate the timely and accurate submission of all school materials to colleges. ● Facilitate visits of college representatives to Potomac. Pursue Professional Growth: ● Track trends in the admissions and college counseling fields. ● Attend conferences and professional meetings to remain current with industry trends. ● Cultivate effective working relationships with college admissions professionals and local college counseling colleagues. ● Visit college campuses to stay abreast of university offerings and maintain familiarity with signature programs. ● Keep Potomac faculty and staff updated on changes and trends in college admissions. Additional Responsibilities: ● Participate in committee, department, and staff meetings, as well as school-sponsored events that would benefit from the director’s expertise. ● Fully engage in the life of the school community. ● Assume responsibility for other projects as assigned. Qualifications ● Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred ● At least 5-7 years prior experience in college counseling or college admissions ● Successful track record working with students from first contact to college admission ● Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills ● Strong work ethic and high level of integrity ● Demonstrated skill using technology (i.e., Microsoft Office. Naviance, Veracross)
To Apply: Potomac School has engaged the services of Carney, Sandoe, & Associates to assist in its search for this position. Interested individuals should email a cover letter and resume to and/or contact Senior Search Consultant, Ben Bolte: bbolte@carneysandoe.com/617-933-3430. Please do not send your information to the School. The following colleges enrolled the most Potomac graduates from 2011 to 2015: Boston College Boston University Carnegie Mellon University Colby College College of William and Mary Colorado College Columbia University Cornell University Dartmouth College Davidson College Duke University Elon University George Mason University Harvard University Kenyon College Lehigh University Middlebury College New York University Northwestern University Pennsylvania State University Princeton University
Southern Methodist University Stanford University Syracuse University Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University University of Miami University of Pennsylvania University of Southern California University of Vermont University of Virginia Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University Washington University-St. Louis Wesleyan University Williams College Yale University