Student Support

The Student Support Department is central to our ISD’s guiding statements, ensuring all students, including those needing language, academic, and social-emotional support, have equal access to the curriculum.

Teachers are empowered as leaders, collaborating with parents to nurture a thriving school community. Guided by an unwavering commitment to student success, we champion diversity and inclusivity, fostering a holistic environment where each student's growth is valued

Our Mission

Prioritizes students' wellbeing, nurturing their academic and emotional development. We adapt to the evolving educational landscape, emphasizing interdisciplinary teamwork for comprehensive support tailored to individual strengths and challenges. Our safe and welcoming environment encourages self-expression and active student participation, enriching their educational journey with empowerment.

Academic Support

ISD's approach to academic support is multifaceted and dynamic.

It blends personalized instruction within the classroom, comprehensive interventions outside the classroom, and specialized language support to create an environment where every student can flourish academically.

We firmly believe that every educator within the ISD community plays an important role in cultivating an environment that supports all learners, with students requiring additional academic support being no exception.

Research underscores that a notable percentage of students across K-12 settings seek assistance for learning needs.

This fact further underscores the significance of our inclusive approach.

Learning Support

ISD offers robust academic support to students through a comprehensive framework that extends both within and beyond the classroom. Our commitment to empowering each student's educational journey is reflected in our multi-faceted approach, which encompasses targeted learning support tailored to individual needs.

Within the classroom, our dedicated educators collaborate to provide differentiated instruction that caters to diverse learning styles and paces. This ensures that students receive the attention they require to grasp and internalize key concepts effectively.

Outside the classroom, our learning and language specialists play a vital role in strengthening academic growth. Expert support staff work closely with students requiring additional assistance, offering data-based interventions and strategies to bridge learning gaps.

Our objective is to prepare students, both academically and socially, for forthcoming transitions, be it to the next academic level, a different educational institution, or eventually, university and beyond.

Language Acquisition

Our ELL program is a key foundation for academic growth, highlighting language acquisition's pivotal role in advancing students' educational journey. Beyond communication, language proficiency serves as the bedrock for successful engagement across subjects.

For English Language Learners, language acquisition fosters confidence in expression and comprehension, empowering active participation in discussions, meaningful questioning, and independent exploration of academic materials.

This enhanced linguistic competence not only aids academic progress but also strengthens social and emotional well-being, facilitating interactions and connections within the school community.

Educational Psychological Assessment

At times, the strategies and assistance we offer students within the standard classroom setting might not yield the expected progress.

During such instances, an educational psychological assessment can play an important role in enhancing the team's understanding of the reasons behind a student's struggles to engage with the school curriculum effectively.

The educational psychological assessment helps guide the team to create programs and accommodations to increase opportunities for success.

Social & Emotional Support

The counseling program at ISD is an integral part of fostering a secure and nurturing educational environment, centered on advocating for students' holistic growth, promoting ethical values. We also work collaboratively with educators and provide them with the tools to effectively support students' behavioral, mental health, and social-emotional needs, creating an empowering atmosphere for the entire school community.

Guided by core principles, ISD counselors believe:

Every student deserves a compassionate adult advocate.
Each student should experience safety, support, and inclusion.
Every student's uniqueness and developmental journey are valuable and recognized.
Adherence to professional ethical codes and confidentiality standards is paramount.
Our counseling program continually evolves to meet the school's evolving needs.

Elementary Counseling

The early years of education play a foundational and critical role in shaping a student's lifelong learning journey.

These formative years provide the building blocks for cognitive, social, emotional, and academic development. During this crucial period, the elementary counselors play a fundamental role in supporting students' cognitive, social, emotional, and academic development. By offering guidance and interventions tailored to the unique needs of young learners, the counselor contributes to the formation of essential skills like language acquisition, problem-solving abilities, and social interaction.

Through a nurturing and stimulating environment, the counselors foster the development of critical thinking, self-confidence, and a strong sense of identity.

Elementary Counselors:
Lara Ageros: PK - Gr. 2
Paula Traore: Gr.3 - Gr.5

Middle School Counseling

Middle school can be a perplexing time for students as they navigate through change and growth.

Recognizing the unique challenges that accompany the middle school years and adolescence, the middle school counselor plays a central role in providing guidance and support to help students navigate the intricacies of this transitional period. During the middle school years, we focus on fostering self-worth, nurturing connections within the learning community, and guiding students toward becoming self-aware learners who can set and achieve goals.

We aim to help them navigate their evolving sense of personal values and global responsibilities, collaborate effectively on real-world challenges, manage their emotions in healthy ways, and build strong and supportive friendships. Ultimately, our goal is to empower students to actively engage in a compassionate and creatively-driven learning community, offering invaluable assistance during this crucial phase of their development.

Middle School Counselor:
Paul Phiri: Gr. 6 - Gr. 8
Tracy Yates: Mental Health Counselor

High School Counseling

Recognizing the significance of students' aspirations for post-secondary education, ISD counselors embrace a dual role as both "college advisors" and "counselors." This duality is upheld with a dedication to achieving a harmonious balance between fostering students' academic pursuits and nurturing their emotional wellbeing.

The goal of our high school counselors is to ensure students are optimally prepared for university and the challenges that lie beyond.

Supporting students as they embrace life’s transitions, the high school counselors support students as they move from middle school to high school and eventually to the realms of college and career. Our counselors provide comprehensive guidance, focusing on academic, socio-emotional, and career development. They also offer assistance throughout the university application process. Working collaboratively with families, faculty, administration, and external resources, the counselors support students in achieving their goals.

High School Counselors:
Sladjana Crnomarkovic: Gr. 10 & Gr. 12
Madeleine Mbaire: Gr. 9 & Gr. 11
Tracy Yates: Mental Health Counselor

Child Protection and Safeguarding

Child abuse and neglect stand as significant barriers not only to a child's education but also to their physical, social, and emotional growth. As trusted figures in the lives of young individuals, ensuring their safety remains our paramount responsibility—equally for educators and parents.

At ISD, the Board of Trustees has endorsed a comprehensive Child Protection Policy that adheres to the highest standards within the international school community. This policy serves as a guiding light for both our staff and families, addressing matters related to the health, safety, and overall wellbeing of the children under our care.

Our aspiration is for each student to feel not only physically safe, but also emotionally secure within our campus, acknowledging that optimal learning flourishes when young minds are nurtured in an environment of trust.

At ISD, the safety, wellbeing, and protection of our students are our highest priority. Our child protection and safeguarding policies reflect our commitment to providing a nurturing learning environment where every student can thrive.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our policies, please don't hesitate the Child Protection Officer, Elmeka Henderson

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