Breakthrough New York
High School Placement Assistant (Fall 2025)
Breakthrough New York, New York, New York, United States, 10001
High School Placement Assistant (Fall 2025)
Breakthrough New York empowers motivated students from low-income communities to achieve a college degree and reach their fullest potential. Our tuition-free program supports over 500 students and their families from 7th grade through college. We accept middle school students who are furthest from high-quality educational opportunities yet show promise and potential: 99% of students identify as persons of color; 76% qualify for free or reduced lunch; and 66% will be the first in their families to graduate college. As a ten-year program, Breakthrough New York supports students and their families through key transition points in their academic journeys. We provide academic enrichment through summer and after-school opportunities; coach students to gain admissions into selective high schools and colleges, and expose students to diverse interests and careers so they can shape their own trajectories. In addition to nurturing individual talent, we cultivate a thriving community of like-minded peers and mentors who encourage each other's ambitions and passions. Personalized mentorship and holistic support are signature elements of our model, with over 200 near-peer seasonal staff and volunteers who work with students at each stage of our continuum. The Breakthrough model works: over 98% of Breakthrough students graduate from college preparatory high schools, and 100% are on track to graduate from college. About the Role
As a High School Placement Assistant (HSPA), you will play a vital role in guiding a cohort of 8th-grade students through the high school admissions process at one of BTNY's program sites in Brooklyn, Bronx, or Manhattan. This hybrid role includes in-person teaching twice a week and virtual student support. All lessons and materials are provided and aligned to the BTNY High School Placement curriculum. In-person Teaching Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:007:00 PM Estimated Hours: 2628 hours/week over 34 months Program Sites: Bronx Site: Urban Assembly for Applied Math and Science 1595 Bathgate Ave., Bronx, NY 10457 Brooklyn Site: TBD Manhattan Site: The Town School 540 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021 Your Responsibilities Will Include
Direct Student Teaching and Application Support (70%) Mentor a caseload of 8th-grade students through all aspects of the high school application process Conduct weekly check-ins with students and families to track progress and offer guidance Support students in: Meeting BTNY application milestones and deadlines Preparing for interviews and school visits Drafting, editing, and refining application essays and parent statements Ensure completion of all components of high school applications Hold students accountable for their deliverables and commitments Program and Data Maintenance (30%) Log all student interactions, check-ins, and application progress in Salesforce and other tools Attend in-person after-school programming Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:007:00 PM Participate in at least 8 hours of training to strengthen mentorship, communication, and application guidance skills Important Dates September 10th- September 11th: High School Placement Assistant In-Person Training (there may be additional virtual training sessions if necessary) 4:00PM-7:00PM September 17th- December 17th: Teaching in person: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-7:00pm. Additionally, check-in and regular responsibilities for a max of 26-28 hours per week. We're Looking For Someone Who
Able to commit fully to the Fall 2025 term, including training and weekly hours (2629 hrs/week) Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple student timelines A strong writer and editor, with the ability to coach students through personal statement writing Tech-savvy and comfortable using Google Drive, MS Office, and learning new platforms (e.g., Salesforce) A clear and compassionate communicator who advocates for students and families A college student, graduate student, or young professional with a minimum 3.0 GPA (current or former) Demonstrates commitment to BTNY's Core Values: Committed to Social Justice, Community-Driven, Principled, Lifelong Learners, All In Compensation
High School Placement Assistants will be compensated with a $6,000 stipend for the duration of the role divided equally in bi-weekly payments. High School Placement Assistants will also receive ongoing professional development support including: Orientation and training Weekly 1:1 supervision Professional Development Workshops Skill development opportunities in facilitation, teaching, mentorship, relationship building, and professional communication Letters of recommendation About Breakthrough New York
Mission: Breakthrough New York empowers motivated students from low-income communities to access a college education and pursue the career of their choosing. Vision: In New York City, every student has the opportunity to achieve a college degree and pursue the career of their choosing.
Breakthrough New York empowers motivated students from low-income communities to achieve a college degree and reach their fullest potential. Our tuition-free program supports over 500 students and their families from 7th grade through college. We accept middle school students who are furthest from high-quality educational opportunities yet show promise and potential: 99% of students identify as persons of color; 76% qualify for free or reduced lunch; and 66% will be the first in their families to graduate college. As a ten-year program, Breakthrough New York supports students and their families through key transition points in their academic journeys. We provide academic enrichment through summer and after-school opportunities; coach students to gain admissions into selective high schools and colleges, and expose students to diverse interests and careers so they can shape their own trajectories. In addition to nurturing individual talent, we cultivate a thriving community of like-minded peers and mentors who encourage each other's ambitions and passions. Personalized mentorship and holistic support are signature elements of our model, with over 200 near-peer seasonal staff and volunteers who work with students at each stage of our continuum. The Breakthrough model works: over 98% of Breakthrough students graduate from college preparatory high schools, and 100% are on track to graduate from college. About the Role
As a High School Placement Assistant (HSPA), you will play a vital role in guiding a cohort of 8th-grade students through the high school admissions process at one of BTNY's program sites in Brooklyn, Bronx, or Manhattan. This hybrid role includes in-person teaching twice a week and virtual student support. All lessons and materials are provided and aligned to the BTNY High School Placement curriculum. In-person Teaching Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:007:00 PM Estimated Hours: 2628 hours/week over 34 months Program Sites: Bronx Site: Urban Assembly for Applied Math and Science 1595 Bathgate Ave., Bronx, NY 10457 Brooklyn Site: TBD Manhattan Site: The Town School 540 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021 Your Responsibilities Will Include
Direct Student Teaching and Application Support (70%) Mentor a caseload of 8th-grade students through all aspects of the high school application process Conduct weekly check-ins with students and families to track progress and offer guidance Support students in: Meeting BTNY application milestones and deadlines Preparing for interviews and school visits Drafting, editing, and refining application essays and parent statements Ensure completion of all components of high school applications Hold students accountable for their deliverables and commitments Program and Data Maintenance (30%) Log all student interactions, check-ins, and application progress in Salesforce and other tools Attend in-person after-school programming Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:007:00 PM Participate in at least 8 hours of training to strengthen mentorship, communication, and application guidance skills Important Dates September 10th- September 11th: High School Placement Assistant In-Person Training (there may be additional virtual training sessions if necessary) 4:00PM-7:00PM September 17th- December 17th: Teaching in person: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00-7:00pm. Additionally, check-in and regular responsibilities for a max of 26-28 hours per week. We're Looking For Someone Who
Able to commit fully to the Fall 2025 term, including training and weekly hours (2629 hrs/week) Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple student timelines A strong writer and editor, with the ability to coach students through personal statement writing Tech-savvy and comfortable using Google Drive, MS Office, and learning new platforms (e.g., Salesforce) A clear and compassionate communicator who advocates for students and families A college student, graduate student, or young professional with a minimum 3.0 GPA (current or former) Demonstrates commitment to BTNY's Core Values: Committed to Social Justice, Community-Driven, Principled, Lifelong Learners, All In Compensation
High School Placement Assistants will be compensated with a $6,000 stipend for the duration of the role divided equally in bi-weekly payments. High School Placement Assistants will also receive ongoing professional development support including: Orientation and training Weekly 1:1 supervision Professional Development Workshops Skill development opportunities in facilitation, teaching, mentorship, relationship building, and professional communication Letters of recommendation About Breakthrough New York
Mission: Breakthrough New York empowers motivated students from low-income communities to access a college education and pursue the career of their choosing. Vision: In New York City, every student has the opportunity to achieve a college degree and pursue the career of their choosing.