Full-Time

Academic Support Specialist

Posted on 8/21/2026

ACCEL Schools

ACCEL Schools

501-1,000 employees

Delivers virtual and in-person college-prep education.

Compensation Overview

$50k - $60k/yr

Cleveland, OH, USA

In Person

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
Customer Experience & Support (1)

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Requirements
  • A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree with a valid teaching certificate.
  • A Master's Degree in Guidance & Counseling with a School Counseling Endorsement on a valid Ohio teaching certificate.
  • Ability to support the educational and behavioral goals of all students, including students with an Individualized Education Plan and students learning English as a second language.
Responsibilities
  • Work to meet goals related to student achievement, school culture, and Adequate Yearly Progress.
  • Meet with students at risk for retention and formulate academic-success action plans with students and parents or guardians when appropriate.
  • Plan and promote programs that enhance students' academic, social, and emotional growth, including curriculum fairs, career fairs, honors assemblies, enrichment and remediation opportunities, scholarship opportunities, and parent informational programs.
  • Meet with eighth-grade students each semester and mail promotion-status updates to their parents.
  • Assist students with high school admissions applications.
  • Work with the Director of Academics, Parent Liaison, and Dean of Students on discipline, attendance, and academic challenges.
  • Integrate culturally responsive teaching practices into daily lessons and interactions with students, parents, and colleagues.
  • Implement school-wide culture expectations and norms.
  • Communicate regularly with families about students' academic and social-emotional growth.
  • Monitor student eligibility for extracurricular activities and applicable league requirements for athletic participation.
  • Meet with students and parents to discuss test results and develop academic improvement plans.
  • Assist the principal with diploma lists and identifying honor graduates for eighth-grade graduation and kindergarten promotion.
  • Help students develop high school and post-secondary educational plans aligned with their interests, abilities, and career plans.
  • Maintain accurate information in each student's permanent cumulative record and make appropriate schedule changes aligned with students' abilities and educational and career plans.
  • Serve as a resource for students, staff, and parents regarding students' developmental needs.
  • Identify and refer students for Child Study Meetings.
  • Create and oversee Section 504 plans.
  • Participate actively in Special Education meetings.
  • Conference with students affected by a death in the family or serious illness and notify their teachers.
  • Work with teachers to increase their knowledge of students with physical or emotional challenges.
  • Participate in, coordinate, and conduct activities supporting implementation of the K-8 social-emotional learning program.
  • Evaluate and revise the building guidance and counseling program.
  • Abide by and implement the school's philosophy and mission in all school activities.
  • Assist with and coordinate the Response to Intervention and Multi-Tiered System of Supports programs.
  • Develop a capstone program for promotion from eighth grade.
  • Create and implement foundational social-emotional curriculum in daily practice.
  • Facilitate retention protocols, including retention meetings with teachers and families.
  • Develop eighth-grade-to-high-school programming.
  • Coordinate monthly curriculum and success nights to support parents and students.
  • Manage student behaviors through restorative justice practices and social-emotional learning curriculum resources.

ACCEL Schools provides middle and high school education in both virtual and in-person settings tailored to diverse communities. Its programs mix personalized learning with proven teaching practices and community partnerships, including virtual options like the Pathfinder Career Academy. The company differentiates itself through broad community partnerships, mixed delivery formats, and explicit college-prep and career-path options. Its goal is to expand access to personalized, effective education that supports social and academic growth and prepares students for higher education and careers.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Cleveland, Ohio

Founded

2014

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • ACCEL says it serves over 30,000 students through more than 90 charter schools.
  • Portage Leadership Academy opens in Ravenna for 2026-27 under ACCEL, expanding Ohio footprint.
  • ACCEL's 2025-2026 classical network broadens enrollment channels beyond standard charter-school models.

What critics are saying

  • Banning Lewis Academy ends ACCEL's contract in June 2026, cutting 246 Colorado jobs.
  • That Colorado split signals charter boards can eject ACCEL and self-manage school operations.
  • A 2026 lawsuit alleges a former principal poached students and employees from ACCEL's Springfield school.

What makes ACCEL Schools unique

  • ACCEL Schools runs brick-and-mortar, virtual, and hybrid charter schools across eight states.
  • Its ACCEL Instructional Model pairs individualized instruction with certified teachers and short-cycle assessments.
  • The Jefferson Classical Academies launch in 2025 adds a distinct classical-school brand.

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Benefits

Paid Vacation

401(k) Retirement Plan

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Voluntary short-term disability insurance

Voluntary long-term disability insurance

Paid time off

Retirement contributions

Optional Basic Life and AD&D insurance

Voluntary life insurance (employee, spouse, child)

Company News

KOAA
May 5th, 2026
Colorado Springs charter schools moving toward more local control following WARN letter.

Colorado Springs charter schools moving toward more local control following WARN letter. Banning Lewis Academy and Banning Lewis Ranch Academy will be shifting toward more local control after both schools have ended an agreement with Accel Schools, a nationwide charter school management group. Posted 10:35 AM, May 05, 2026 and last updated 2:47 PM, May 06, 2026 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) - Banning Lewis Academy and Banning Lewis Ranch Academy will be shifting toward more local control after both schools have ended an agreement with Accel Schools, a nationwide charter school management group. Accel Schools sent a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment notifying the state that, following the decision made by the academy, Accel would be terminating its employment with more than 200 staff under its management on June 30. News5 reached out to the school to learn a little more about this ongoing decision and how it might impact over 200 employees. Banning Lewis Academy confirmed that the end of the partnership was part of the planned transition to more local control. You can see their statement below: Banning Lewis Academy (BLA) recently made the decision to end its partnership with ACCEL Schools as part of a planned transition to greater local control of the school. The WARN notice issued by ACCEL reflects the end of employment with their organization, effective June 30, 2026. However, BLA will continue operating without interruption, and there are no plans to close schools, reduce programming, or impact student services. Moving forward, BLA will operate under a locally driven model. Staff will be employed directly by Banning Lewis Academy, with additional support from experienced partners in areas such as human resources, finance, and operations. This shift allows decisions to be made closer to the classroom, better supporting both students and educators. As part of this transition, BLA is also moving away from a for-profit management structure. This is an important step that allows more resources to stay within the school - directly supporting classrooms, teachers, and students. KOAA News 5 recognize that the notice may raise concerns about staffing. Its priority is continuity and stability. KOAA News 5 value its current staff and are actively working to extend employment opportunities for the upcoming school year. KOAA News 5 is confident in its leadership team and believe strongly in the educators who serve its students every day. For students and families, there will be no disruption to instruction, school operations, or the overall educational experience. Enrollment, programming, and campus activities will continue as normal. This transition represents an important step forward for BLA. By increasing school-level autonomy and keeping more dollars in its classrooms, KOAA News 5 is strengthening its ability to serve its community, support its staff, and ensure decisions reflect the needs of its students and families. KOAA News 5 understand that change can be difficult, but KOAA News 5 is confident this is the right move for the long-term success of its school community. Warm Regards, Banning Lewis Academy Board of Directors During this transition, the school says it will be moving away from a for-profit model to reinvest in HR and its classrooms. In an email, Accel Schools provided its newsroom with the following statement. Banning Lewis Academy has informed ACCEL Schools that it does not intend to renew its services agreement with ACCEL. While KOAA News 5 is disappointed by the decision, KOAA News 5 respect that charter school boards periodically evaluate their operating models and make decisions they believe are in the best interest of their schools. ACCEL has supported Banning Lewis for more than 10 years. During that time, the school expanded grade levels, increased enrollment, built a second campus, and navigated multiple leadership and board transitions. ACCEL has been proud to serve as a steady partner throughout a significant period of growth and change. Banning Lewis has indicated that it wishes to explore a self-managed model. In Colorado, charter schools may choose different operating structures as they evolve, including working with an external partner or managing more services independently. ACCEL continues to believe deeply in the value of strong school partnerships, particularly during periods of growth, operational complexity, and leadership transition. Because ACCEL is currently the employer of record for staff assigned to Banning Lewis, ACCEL is required to issue notice regarding the conclusion of ACCEL employment for those employees. The WARN notice affects 195 regular employees and 51 on-call or temporary employees, primarily substitute teachers. Affected roles include teachers, administrators, student support staff, paraprofessionals, counselors, school operations staff, facilities staff, food service staff, and other employees who support daily school operations. Banning Lewis has indicated that all affected employees are eligible to be rehired directly by the school. ACCEL cares deeply about the employees, students, and families connected to Banning Lewis. Its focus is on supporting employees through this transition, honoring the work accomplished over the course of the partnership, and continuing to serve schools with professionalism, care, and operational expertise. Accel Schools If you have any information about this story and would like to speak to a reporter, send its newsroom an email. Colorado Springs prioritizing northern city areas, busier roadways during may storm. Colorado Springs deployed its fleet of 55 snowplows as a winter storm brought wintry conditions to the area, with city crews responding as temperatures dropped and snow began to accumulate. What should KOAA5 cover? Is there a story, topic, or issue KOAA News 5 should revisit? Have a story you believe should make the light of day? Let its newsroom know with the contact form below. Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with its free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.

eNews Park Forest
Jul 25th, 2025
ACCEL Schools Appoints Dr. William J. Bennett As Founding Provost of New Classical Academy Network

ACCEL Schools appoints Dr. William J. Bennett as Founding Provost of new Classical Academy network.