Persistence Pathways Advisor - KIPP Massachusetts Public Charter Schools

Our Mission

The mission of all of KIPP Massachusetts schools is to create an environment where students develop the academic skills, intellectual habits and character traits necessary to maximize their potential in high school, college and the world beyond. Our program is based on:

• A focus on high-quality instruction supported by rigorous professional development to ensure that our students develop the academic skills necessary to pursue the life they choose.
• A high regard for character development to ensure that our students and staff celebrate and develop their character and identity strengths.
• An emphasis on family engagement, because we believe that our students are most likely to be able to maximize their potential when we work in partnership with our students and their families.
• A focus on college readiness for all students so that all students can make choices about their post-secondary education and future.

What We Do

We seek to provide a world-class education for students from educationally underserved communities in Lynn and Boston. Our student demographics mirror those of neighborhood schools in terms of race, socioeconomic status, Multilingual Learners (MLL), and students who receive special education services.

Our promise to families is that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop the zest for learning and grit necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in Lynn and Boston.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Vision

At KIPP Massachusetts, we believe that Knowledge is Power. Every day, our team and family have the opportunity to either perpetuate systems of oppression or disrupt them. We are compelled by the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Therefore, we continuously commit to operating as an anti-racist organization.  Read more at Diversity Equity Inclusivity Vision.

Who We Are

KIPP Massachusetts began enrolling students in 2004. We currently hold two charters, operating two “districts.” Our first district, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, is based in Lynn, MA.  Our second district, KIPP Academy Boston Charter School, is based in Mattapan, MA. Each district is housed on one or more “campuses,” which we use to refer to different grade spans, for example, elementary grades, middle school grades, or high school grades.

In Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary (serving grades K-4), KIPP Academy Lynn Middle (serving grades 5-8), and KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate (serving grades 9-12), are all under our Lynn charter.  Admission to any grade in the Lynn district is admission to all remaining grades in the Lynn district K-12. 66% of our students in Lynn are Hispanic, 23% are African American and 11% are other races/ethnicities.

In Boston, KIPP Academy Boston Elementary (serving grades K-4), and KIPP Academy Boston (serving grades 5-8), are both under our Boston charter.  Admission to any grade in the Boston district is admission to all remaining grades in the Boston district, K-8. 68% of our students in Boston are African American, 30% are Hispanic and 2% are other races/ethnicities.

Across both districts, KIPP Massachusetts serves over 2,200 students.

KIPP National

KIPP Massachusetts partners with the KIPP Foundation, or KIPP National, which is a non-profit national network of college-preparatory public charter schools serving elementary, middle and high school students.  KIPP National has a 25-year track record of preparing our students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life.

There are 242 KIPP schools in 20 states plus the District of Columbia educating over 100,000 students on their path to and through college and career.  We believe that excellent academic, safe and structured schools, empowered teachers, an emphasis on character development and support through college are the foundation for student success, and we strive to provide this for every student.

All KIPP schools, whether they are in Massachusetts or in other states, are part of the free public school system in their respective states and enrollment is open to all students.  KIPP public charter schools are given more academic and budgetary flexibility than traditional public schools, and in exchange commit to deliver high-quality academic results for students.

KIPP Forward Persistence Pathways Advisor

KIPP MA is looking for a Persistence Pathways Advisor who will be an essential member of the KIPP Forward team (formally KIPP Through College and Careers). The Persistence Pathways Advisor will work directly with students, alumni, families, and internal stakeholders in support of KIPP Forward’s goal of providing alumni and their families with the essential knowledge and preparation needed for various post-secondary options. The Persistence Pathways Advisor is responsible for supporting the post-secondary persistence of KIPP alumni through both individual and group advising as well as programming that helps drive postsecondary persistence factors for alumni. All of their efforts will support the KIPP MA aspirational goal of reaching a 75% post-secondary program completion rate for all of our 8th grade completers. They will use a holistic and critically conscious approach to aid alumni in identifying and developing their individual strengths, interests, and opportunities.

KIPP Forward

KIPP Forward’s mission is to support students to and through all post-secondary pathways while developing students’ knowledge, skills, and character. Through KIPP Forward, we’re supporting students to discover what a fulfilling life means to them, then break through any barrier that dares stand in their way of achieving it. KIPP MA supports students to choose and prepare for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose. Once on their way, KIPP Forward teams help alumni keep moving forward, tackling academic, social, and financial challenges they might encounter while pursuing their dreams. Through the KIPP Alumni Network, our KIPP family creates powerful connections and ascends together with networking, mentorship, leadership training, and more. KIPP Forward’s vision is to help our KIPPsters recognize their own magnificence by understanding their “why,” achieving self-sufficiency, and overcoming socio-emotional and systemic barriers in order to be who and what they want to see in the world. 

KIPP Forward’s values include:

• Holistic Development

• Strength’s Based Perspective

• Mentorship and Education

• Advocacy and Social Justice

• Community, Collaboration, and Partnership

This role requires consistent and reliable demonstration of the following essential job functions and key responsibilities:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Persistence Advising

• Work with the KIPP Forward team, primarily the Persistence Pathways Manager to execute the local and national KIPP Forward Persistence framework and methodology for post-secondary persistence support of all pathways (career, CTE, 2-year & 4-year degrees)

• Advise a subset of alumni to support key persistence factors including but not limited to: navigating a college campus, financial aid, socio-emotional support,as well as short and long-term academic and career goals

• Travel to meet with alumni on their respective campuses for an estimated 50% of time each month

• Execute benchmark assessments according to the benchmarking goals for each semester to determine persistence threats and create support plans

• Maintain student record keeping, all data requirements including weekly trackers and Salesforce updating to forward plan meetings strategically

• Support development and implementation of KIPP Forward @ KIPP MA and KIPP Forward @ KIPP Foundation initiatives and/or programming to ensure progress on college persistence factors including but not limited to FAFSA and CSS renewal, FERPA Waiver Collection, Degree Audits, etc.

• Connect students to necessary tools and resources to push postsecondary persistence

• Advise students through the transfer process when applicable

• Advise families when necessary to aid in persistence of alumni, being mindful of FERPA considerations

Partnerships and Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with members of the KIPP Forward team to execute programming and initiatives to support persistence pathways, career development, and social/emotional learning

• Collaborate with and provide supplemental support as needed for the KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate Post-secondary Match Team and KMSA Transitions Team in the following areas as needed: student transition planning, college essay advising, scholarship applications, financial aid, family meetings, supplemental workshops, etc. 

• Connect with KIPP Forward National colleagues via virtual learning communities, retreats and webinars as opportunities present themselves

• Support the development and execution of workshop content and facilitation for current students and alumni

Data Management

• Enter student data daily on the Communications Reports & Plan tracker to forward plan and ensure accuracy of outreach to caseload. Update Salesforce at minimum weekly with all alumni communication and generate weekly reports for the direct manager.

• Work with the KIPP Forward Persistence Manager, Director of Persistence and KIPP MA Data team to liaise KIPP Foundation, KIPP MA, and KIPP Forward department data needs.

• Assist the Persistence Manager and Director through supporting data analysis processes for To & Through Matters: Persistence meetings.

• Regularly progress monitor student caseload to maintain clarity on which students are at greatest risk and leverage insights to intervene. 

• Maintain data as needed for KIPP Forward @ KIPP MA, the KIPP Foundation, the Development team and any other entities requiring KIPP Forward relevant persistence data.

• Share reports on matriculation/summer melt, college enrollments, persistence, and academic progress following KIPP Forward data calendar expectations. 

• Create, maintain, and monitor mass messaging platforms to scale nudges for student outreach and engagement. 

• Synthesize data metrics from mass messaging platforms to account for insights gathered through the nudges. 

General Requirements and Responsibilities

• Embody KIPP MA’s Code of Conduct by acting with integrity, leading with humanity, centering self-awareness and critical consciousness, taking personal responsibility, and engaging productively

• Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required

• Demonstrated ability to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make reasonable judgments and decisions in a timely manner in accordance with the needs of the school

• Self-awareness, flexibility and emotional intelligence to navigate a setting with students who express diverse needs

• The consistent use of interpersonal and self-management skills to effectively support behavioral and emotional needs of students to ensure a safe and inclusive environment, as well as build relationships and manage conflict with students, staff, and caregivers

• Effective communication skills to perform assigned duties and to meaningfully exchange information with students, staff, families and others in person, through written communication, in front of groups, and on virtual platforms

• Physical mobility to move self in various positions in order to execute duties effectively, which may include kneeling, walking, pushing/pulling, squatting, twisting, turning, bending, stooping and reaching overhead

• Physical strength sufficient to periodically lift and/or carry 20 pounds of materials or supplies and to physically restrain a student to keep from harming themself and/or others in an emergency situation

• Manual dexterity sufficient to perform repetitive hand/wrist/arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment

QUALIFICATIONS

• Love and unwavering belief in the high potential of all students

• Commitment to anti-racism and equity

• 2-4 years of professional experience with at least 2 years working with youth from diverse populations, underserved urban communities, and/or first-generation college students in educational and/or non-profit youth development programs

• Has outstanding project management skills, with an ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously

• A driven self-starter with a demonstrated track record of strong analytical skills as well as interpersonal, verbal,  and written communication skills with attention to detail, accountability, and reliability

• A sense of humor and a humble/growth mindset

• Is familiar with the landscape of higher education, college access and success for low-income, first-generation and/or minority students

• Ability to connect with people from diverse ethnic, socio-economic, and professional backgrounds

• Ability to listen deeply to key stakeholders, understand and reflect back challenges and guide individuals through a solutions-finding process’

• Flexibility to multi-task within a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment while driving toward clarity and strength’s based solutions

• A proven ability to collaborate and build relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines

• Adept at tracking and managing data in order to drive critical decisions that aid in effectively managing their time and caseload.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite. Note: Salesforce a plus.

• Bilingual speakers highly encouraged to apply

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; Associates Degree or 60 hours equivalent required

• Valid Driver's License and reliable vehicle

• Pass Criminal Background Checks

KIPP MA staff are supported in their demanding work by experienced and dedicated leadership and staff who have themselves proven successful in their role. Our KIPP MA Executive Leadership Teams maintain consistent systems and procedures designed to permit staff to do their best work. 

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, there will occasionally be other duties as assigned that advisors will engage in to help promote a positive and safe learning environment and culture

KIPP MA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables all of our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

What We Offer
The minimum base salary range for this exempt position is $55,000-$65,000 (per 1.0 FTE/45 hours per week) with a $1,000 signing bonus—and an annual $2,000 retention bonus in subsequent years, as well as other bonuses, when eligible. For more about what we offer, how to apply and more about KIPP MA, please visit this link HERE.