Student Support services

Q: Are students with learning disabilities or other conditions educated separately or within the general education class?

Students with learning disabilities and challenges are taught in the general education classroom and have full access to the grade-level curriculum. Students receive intervention in small groups and individually.

Q: What qualifications do your learning support teachers hold?

Our teachers are special education-certified teachers, predominantly trained and educated in the United States with experience both in public/state schools and international schools.

Q: What level of learning support, if required, is included within the tuition fees?

The only additional fees are for the intensive learning needs class (tuition + 150,000 RMB) or for a 1:1 teacher assistant (tuition + 100,000 RMB for full-time). In some instances, families may be asked to pay for outside occupational therapy or other assessment/consultation.

ISB is committed to maintaining an inclusive school environment where diversity in student learning profiles enriches and strengthens our whole school community. Student Support Services at ISB are designed to promote academic, language, and social-emotional development. Student Support Services staff include counselors, English as an Additional Language (EAL) and learning support teachers at each school divisional. Speech and language pathologists (SLPs) and a school psychologist support all school divisions. ISB recognizes and respects the unique developmental and cultural diversity of our student body. Our partnership with parents and classroom teachers guides students through the developmental learning stages at each grade level, towards their unique social-emotional, linguistic, academic, and physical potential.

Each aspect of a student's educational and personal development progresses at an individual rate. Accordingly, some students may benefit from additional support at some point in their education career and are designed to assist in learning and achievement. A collaborative partnership between teachers, parents, and students offers the best opportunity to understand a student's educational and developmental needs and provide the most complete learning program.

ISB has invested in and developed an extensive network of support services to meet the needs of diverse learners. Our existing team of experts include: 

qualified and experienced learning support teachers 
EAL teachers
dedicated instructional assistants
a school psychologist
Speech Language Pathologists
counselors
A private occupational therapist who works with students on campus during the school day.

ISB enrolls students with diverse learning needs (mild, moderate, and intensive). Learning support provides targeted and specific intervention for students who qualify for support. Evidence-based interventions match student needs and support learning of and access to the grade-level content.

Students are identified through a comprehensive referral process that encourages and supports early interventions and problem solving. Where necessary, the curriculum is modified for students who require intensive learning support. Students may receive services for a short period of time, others for longer periods, and still others may remain in the highest level of learning support and receive services for the duration of their time at ISB. 

ISB offers a highly individualized curriculum for students with intellectual disabilities and challenges with adaptive skills. Students may also have concurrent diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc. This is called our Life Centered Education (LCE) program and is for students in grades K-8. The classroom is staffed by two professional Special Education teachers and six Instructional Assistants. The program provides personalized curriculums for each student and typically emphasizes functional academic skills, adaptive and daily living skills, social and pragmatic skills with an emphasis on integrating into the greater school community.

To ensure balance and equity in our classrooms, we thoughtfully manage the number of enrolled students requiring support. The decision to admit a student with identified learning disabilities and educational needs is dependent on space available and the ability to provide necessary resources and teaching. All interested applicants should apply through the Admissions Office and provide all required documentation.

In alignment with our school's Mission, we believe that embracing each student's unique learning profile adds to the rich diversity of our school community and establishes a culture of mutual benefit and compassion where students learn from and care for one another. All of our students have the opportunity to flourish in an inclusive environment, graduating from ISB and going into the wider world with purpose and compassion.  

EAL Services

The English as an Additional Language (EAL) program provides students the opportunity to learn the grade level content in English. English language learners will gain access to the grade-level content by learning important English skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. EAL and classroom teachers work collaboratively to ensure the curriculum is accessible to all students. English language learners are supported in grades Kindergarten to Grade 10.

Students exit from EAL support when they achieve a high level of English proficiency in the domains of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. English proficiency is assessed using multiple data points (i.e. WIDA, MAP, classroom achievement, other informal assessments).

Counseling Services

Counselors work collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers to support student success in school. Counselors are instrumental in leading social-emotional learning and health in each school section. Students work with counselors in a variety of ways (i.e. classroom lessons, small groups, and individual). There are times, depending on the nature of the counseling need, when students and families are referred to outside resources for more in-depth or therapeutic support.

Counselors provide outreach and resources via workshops, book clubs, meetings, and consultations with students, staff, parents, and community agencies. They provide professional development opportunities and assistance to teachers with students in the areas of conflict resolution, mediation, stress management, and transitions. Counselors also are integral members of Crisis Response Team, providing support and training in the event of a crisis or catastrophic situation.

Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs)

SLPs provide services including screenings, evaluations, interventions, and consultative services for students with a wide range of communication disorders. Therapy is offered in all school sections.

Communication is a broad field and encompasses four major categories:

Speech disorders relate to the production of speech sounds. Students may be eligible for therapy when adults and peers have difficulty understanding their speech production (i.e. pronunciation, fluency/stutter, voice) or when speech adversely impacts the student' s academic progress.

Language disorders are deficits in understanding and/or producing language. Eligibility is based on significant linguistic need as evidenced by a formal language evaluation.

Pragmatic disorders are difficulties in the area of social interaction. Pragmatic disorders are addressed by the SLP when they are part of a more generalized language disorder that significantly impacts the student's academic progress.

Other: The SLP may also provide therapy for those students who are diagnosed hard of hearing or deaf.

School Psychologist

The school psychologist provides consultation, evaluation, intervention, prevention, and research services within the ISB setting. These services are specifically designed to benefit students and their teams in better understanding student learning profiles and delivering instruction that aligns with students' needs.

The school psychologist works with teachers to develop and implement evidence-based interventions that improve student achievement and behavior. The school psychologist also provides intervention and prevention services, research and evaluation, and counseling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does ISB assess an individual child's needs?

The school uses a variety of assessment tools to determine a student's academic needs. We use standardized and informal assessments, curriculum-based assessments, anecdotal observations, and other assessments (i.e. Developmental Reading Assessment, Words Their Way, writing continuum, phonemic and phonological awareness tools, Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment, and AIMSweb). In addition, we use the WIDA (World-class Instructional Design and Assessment) to determine students' English language proficiency and MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) to measure reading, math, and language usage. The school employs a school psychologist who administers psycho-educational evaluations when needed.

Do I need to submit any special reports (such as a recent psycho-educational evaluation) as part of my child's application?

Yes. Where a student has been evaluated for any type of disability or condition, ISB requires a copy of the psycho-educational evaluation. In addition, for those students who receive allied services (speech language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy), we require the evaluation or report. If the student has received any form of special education services, we also require the most recent Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Are students with learning disabilities or other conditions educated separately or within the general education class?

Are there any waiting lists for students requiring learning support at ISB?

How much experience does ISB have with educating children with learning disabilities and challenges?

ISB is well equipped to teach students with a variety of diagnoses and conditions (Specific Learning Disability, Communication Disorders, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, etc.). We are well resourced with qualified learning support teachers dedicated to each grade level, two speech language pathologists, a school psychologist, school counselors, and collaboration with outside agencies for therapies. In addition, from August 2020, the school is expanding its services and is opening a class for students with intellectual disabilities.

What qualifications do your learning support teachers hold?

If needed, how easy would it be to find a 1:1 teaching assistant for a child requiring significant support in the classroom?

If ISB determines a 1:1 teacher assistant is required to support a student's needs, the school will hire and supervise the assistant, invoicing the family for the additional fee (approximately 110,700 RMB for a full-time assistant per year). Generally, ISB believes students with learning disabilities and other challenges require specific and targeted instruction from a qualified special education teacher, rather than a teacher assistant. Teacher assistants may be employed at the discretion of the school.