Director of Student Experience

Rooted School Inc•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

The Director of Student Experience is a senior school leader responsible for cultivating a thriving, equitable, and supportive environment for all students at Rooted School (grades 7–12). This role provides strategic vision and day-to-day oversight of the school's core student-facing pillars: school culture, PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), counseling, student support services, social work, and postsecondary readiness. The Director serves as the connective tissue between academic achievement and whole-student wellness, ensuring that every Rooted School student is known, supported, and prepared for life beyond high school. This leader directly supervises department leads and coordinates with instructional leadership to create a seamless, mission-aligned experience from grade 7 through graduation.

Requirements

Master's degree in school counseling, social work, educational leadership, or related field
Minimum 3years of professional experience in a K–12 school setting
Minimum 2 years in a supervisory or school leadership role
Demonstrated knowledge of PBIS, MTSS, trauma-informed practices, and restorative justice
Experience supporting postsecondary readiness programming at the secondary level
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills with diverse communities
Strong data literacy and experience using student information systems (e.g., Infinite Campus, PowerSchool)

Nice To Haves

Licensed School Counselor (LPC, LCPC, or state-equivalent) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Experience working in an urban, charter, or mission-driven school serving historically underserved students
Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred
Familiarity with ASCA National Model for comprehensive school counseling programs

Responsibilities

Champion a school-wide culture grounded in Rooted School's mission, values, and community identity
Design and sustain traditions, rituals, and community events that build belonging across grades 7–12
Lead student voice initiatives, student government, and co-curricular programming
Analyze culture data (attendance, climate surveys, discipline trends) and drive responsive improvements
Partner with families and community stakeholders to reinforce school values at home and in the community
Lead the school-wide PBIS leadership team and set annual goals aligned to Tier 1, 2, and 3 frameworks
Ensure consistent implementation of expectations, acknowledgment systems, and restorative practices school-wide
Oversee behavior data collection, analysis, and reporting to leadership and the school board
Facilitate professional development on trauma-informed practices, restorative justice, and de-escalation
Ensure equitable application of PBIS across student groups, monitoring for disproportionality
Supervise and support school counselors serving grades 7–12 in academic, social-emotional, and college/career domains
Ensure counseling team implements a comprehensive school counseling program (ASCA framework)
Develop and monitor counselor caseloads, scheduling support, and crisis response protocols
Coordinate group counseling programming and classroom guidance curriculum
Ensure confidentiality, compliance, and best practices in all counseling documentation
Supervise school social workers and ensure high-quality, culturally responsive case management
Oversee student and family needs assessments and connection to community-based resources
Lead coordination with DCFS, community mental health agencies, housing, and other external partners
Manage crisis intervention protocols and mandatory reporting compliance
Support students in foster care, experiencing homelessness (McKinney-Vento), and other vulnerable populations
Provide leadership and vision for Rooted School's postsecondary programming across grades 7–12
Supervise college and career counselors and align programming to grade-level milestones
Oversee college application support, dual enrollment, FAFSA/financial aid processes, and scholarship access
Build and maintain partnerships with colleges, universities, employers, and workforce programs
Track and analyze postsecondary outcome data (college acceptance, enrollment, persistence, career pathways)
Design and implement career exploration, internship, and mentorship programming for middle and high school students