Academic Advisor
Location: Remote | Department: Admissions and Advising
About NorthStar:
NorthStar Academy (NSA) is a fully accredited, online Christian school serving students in grades 4–12 worldwide. Founded in 1998 to support missionary families, NSA now offers over 200 courses—including core subjects, electives, honors, AP®, and dual credit options—taught by certified, mission-minded educators. Our commitment to Christ leads to a personal investment in each student and inspires our emphasis on spiritual growth, academic excellence, and global reach. NorthStar is an ACSI member school and operates independently from any local government or denominational control.
Position Overview:
The Academic Advisor serves as a primary resource for NorthStar Academy students and families in grades 4–10, providing academic guidance, course planning support, and proactive communication throughout the student journey. This role helps students remain on track academically while ensuring families feel supported, informed, and connected to the NorthStar community.
The Academic Advisor conducts advising appointments, assists with course selection, reviews academic records, evaluates transfer credits, monitors student progress, and responds to advising-related questions through phone, email, and virtual meetings. This position works closely with the Admissions and Advising team to provide a seamless and Christ-centered experience for students and families.
In addition to direct advising responsibilities, the Academic Advisor contributes to the overall success of the Admissions & Advising Department through collaboration, cross-training, and support of departmental initiatives. The ideal candidate is relational, responsive, organized, and committed to serving students and families with excellence. Through every interaction, the Academic Advisor helps ensure students and families experience NorthStar as a place where they are known, supported, and equipped to thrive academically, personally, and spiritually.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking a mission-aligned team member who is relational, responsive, organized, and energized by helping students and families thrive.
The ideal candidate demonstrates warmth, wisdom, professionalism, and a servant’s heart. They enjoy building meaningful relationships, solving problems, providing clear guidance, and helping families navigate important educational decisions.
This individual should be committed to Christ-centered service, collaboration, continuous improvement, and creating a personalized experience where students and families feel known, supported, and valued.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as the primary advisor for students in grades 4–10, providing academic guidance, course selection support, and graduation planning assistance.
- Conduct advising appointments and respond to family inquiries through phone, email, and virtual meetings.
- Review transcripts, homeschool records, international records, and supporting documentation to determine transfer credit eligibility and appropriate course placement.
- Monitor student progress and collaborate with families and staff to support student engagement, retention, and academic success.
- Maintain accurate advising records, documentation, and student data within school systems.
- Collaborate with the Senior Academic Advisor on complex academic situations, upper-level student transitions, and specialized graduation planning.
- Complete advising-related administrative tasks, including course reviews, enrollment verification, academic audits, onboarding support, and student record maintenance.
- Contribute to the development and improvement of advising processes, resources, and departmental workflows.
- Track advising trends and recurring family concerns and communicate recommendations to leadership.
- Collaborate with Admissions team members to provide a seamless experience from inquiry through ongoing enrollment.
- Participate in cross-training initiatives and support Admissions activities during peak enrollment periods.
- Contribute to a culture of generous hospitality, student-centered service, and collaborative growth.
- Build meaningful relationships with students and families through proactive communication, encouragement, and personalized support, helping each student feel known, supported, and equipped for success.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, communications, business, or a related field.
- Experience working with students, families, advising, admissions, customer service, or educational support services.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a remote work environment.
- Comfort working with student information systems and technology platforms.
- Familiarity with transcript review, graduation requirements, course placement, and academic planning.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in Christian education.
- Experience working in an online school environment.
- Understanding of student retention and family engagement practices.
Core Values Alignment
The Academic Advisor is expected to serve in a way that consistently reflects the core values of NorthStar Academy:
Mission & Global Mindedness
- Supporting students and families around the world through Christ-centered educational guidance, care, partnership, and service.
Innovation & Lifelong Learning
- Embracing continuous learning, thoughtful problem-solving, and ongoing improvement while helping students navigate their educational journey.
Community & Collaboration
- Building meaningful relationships with students, families, and colleagues while contributing to a culture of encouragement, teamwork, and shared mission.
Core Competencies & Skills:
- Student and family advocacy
- Relationship-building and customer service
- Responsiveness and follow-through
- Ability to compose clear, professional, and accurate written & verbal communications
- Organization and attention to detail
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Initiative and ownership
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Technology proficiency
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
Faith & Cultural Expectations:
- Profess faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrate a growing relationship with Him.
- Agree with and uphold NorthStar Academy’s Statement of Faith.
- Model Christ-like conduct in all professional and personal interactions.
- Demonstrate alignment with NorthStar’s mission, core values, and commitment to Christ-centered global education.
- Serve students, families, and colleagues with humility, excellence, compassion, integrity, and grace.
- Contribute to a culture of trust, unity, collaboration, and encouragement across the school community.
Work Environment:
- Fully remote work environment.
- Frequent communication with students, families, and staff through phone, email, messaging platforms, and video conferencing.
- Reliable internet connection and private home office required.
All positions at NorthStar Academy require alignment with our statement of faith, mission, and core values. Applicants must demonstrate spiritual maturity and a calling to Christian education.
View our Statement of Faith and Mission here.