Grades 9-12 School Counselor

Overview

McLean School, a K-12 co-educational independent school in Potomac, Maryland, seeks a compassionate, skilled, and collaborative Grades 9-12 School Counselor to support students’ social-emotional well-being and learning and partner with faculty and families to foster student success. This 10-month position will begin with the start of the new school year in August 2026. For 70 years, McLean School has helped bright K-12 students realize their full potential by providing a comprehensive college-preparatory program that emphasizes small classes and differentiated instruction.

Through our Abilities Model®, we embrace both traditional learners and those with mild-to-moderate learning challenges. We recognize and teach individual strengths, responding to areas of challenge but never defining students by them.

The Upper School Counselor plays a vital role in supporting adolescents’ social, emotional, and behavioral development during a critical period of growth and transition. As a member of the Student Support and Social Emotional Learning team, the counselor provides short-term direct counseling services, consults with teachers and families, and, as appropriate, with outside providers, and collaborates with administrators to ensure students are supported academically, emotionally, and socially as they prepare for postsecondary pathways.

• Contribute to the Upper School social-emotional learning initiatives, including programming focused on stress management, healthy relationships, identity development, and resilience.
• Support wellness initiatives related to academic balance, technology use, and mental health awareness.
• Assist with re-entry planning following extended absences, hospitalizations, or other significant disruptions.

• Support students with executive functioning, organization, time management, and strategies related to academic demands.
• In consultation with the administration, provide short-term individual and small-group counseling to Upper School students to address anxiety, stress management, peer relationships, self-advocacy, and school adjustment.
• Assist students in navigating transitions, including entry into Upper School, changes in academic placement, and preparation for postsecondary settings.
• Provide crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safety planning in collaboration with school leadership.
• Maintain timely and appropriate documentation consistent with school policies and professional standards.

• Work closely with Upper School faculty, advisors, Learning Services team, college counseling, and administrators to develop and implement student support plans.
• Participate in student support meetings and grade-level meetings.
• Consult with teachers on classroom strategies that promote wellness, engagement, and independence.
• Partner with families to support adolescent development and reinforce strategies across home and school.

• Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards consistent with licensure requirements and best practices for work with adolescents.
• Engage in ongoing professional development related to adolescent mental health, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed practices, and supporting students with learning challenges.
• Uphold McLean School’s mission, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Maryland licensure or eligibility for licensure as a Counselor, Social Worker, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Experience working with adolescents in a school setting.
• Knowledge of adolescent development and mental health, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges.
• Knowledge of Individualized Education Plans and 504’s.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience supporting students with self-advocacy and preparation for college or other postsecondary pathways.

• Warm, steady, and developmentally attuned to adolescents.
• Proactive, flexible, and solutions-oriented.
• Committed to fostering student independence, resilience, and self-awareness.
• Strong alignment with McLean School’s inclusive and student-centered philosophy.

Salary Range: $70,000-$100,000

McLean School is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability, genetic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability during recruitment, please contact Director of Executive Support and Recruitment, Robin Speller.