STUDENT SUPPORT IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL: COUNSELING, STRATEGIC LEARNING, LEARNING SUPPORT,  ENGLISH AS AS ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL).

Identifying Students 

Each grade level is composed of core subject teachers (Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education and Arabic) and various elective teachers with dedicated teachers for each team, including advisory. These teacher teams meet on a regular basis to discuss student's academics, behavior or social emotional well being. Grade level teams proactively respond to students with the support of the Grade Level Leader, Counselors and MS Administration, and consistently review multiple data points, such as classroom learning data, including Reporting Strands and Transdisciplinary Transfer Goals, and Student Care form referrals to determine which students may need to be discussed with the Student Support Team to determine next action steps. 

Student Support Team

At AIS-R, we believe that all students can flourish when given time, guided practice, and encouragement. All teachers differentiate instruction and assessment practices to ensure the success of all students. The Middle School offers a Counseling Program, an English Language Learner Program, a Strategic Learning Program, and a Learning Support Program to support our learners with continued growth and development. The Student Support Team meets on an ongoing basis to discuss students who need additional support or extension academically, behaviorally or socially.

 Counseling

The AISR Student Counseling program promotes learning and personal growth by offering a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, and accessible counseling program for all MS students. The School Counselors at AISR use the International School Counseling Model as a guide for supporting students.

The AISR Counseling Program:

• Supports the AISR mission, vision, and values

• Addresses social/emotional, global perspective and identity development, academic and career, personal/social needs, nurtures global awareness, and supports students in transition

• Works to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all students

• Is preventative in nature and developmentally appropriate

The Counselors at AISR believe that students:

• Should have access to the counselor

• Should feel welcome, safe, cared for, and valued within the AISR community

• Can be successful at school when provided appropriate support specific to their individual needs

• Are capable of change and growth

The Middle School Counselors support students and families in a variety of special roles. Some of those roles include:

• Meeting with individual students or small groups to discuss personal concerns or academic difficulties

• Supporting the Advisors in carrying out their pastoral roles

• Advising the teaching team when students have special needs or circumstances

• Providing guidance to families concerning their child's development, academically, socially, or emotionally. 

• Referring families to specialized professional services either virtually or regionally for detailed educational testing of a diagnostic nature, for individual or family counseling, or other potential psychological concerns (e.g., eating disorders or depression).

• We encourage parents to be in touch with their child’s counselor anytime they have questions or concerns about their child.

Strategic Learning (SL)

The Strategic Learning (SL) program uses an MTSS (multi-tiered support system) approach for early identification and intervention to help students who are experiencing academic challenges so they can better access grade level curriculum. Students are identified and placed in SL using data from the Measures of Academic Progress test (MAP) and our Student Care processes. These students receive additional instruction as they are scheduled into one block of support in either math or literacy,  2-3 times per week. Progress is monitored and shared on a quarterly basis with teachers providing a narrative to the student and parent about growth and next steps. Collaboration between SL teachers and classroom teachers are completed on an as needed basis through a Student Study process.  The decision to continue in SL, referral to the Learning Support program, or exit is determined at the semester. These classes may be taught by subject area teachers or specialists.

The Learning Support Program (LS)

The Learning Support program offers academic support to students who meet qualifying criteria  to receive instructional and assessment accommodations.  Some students may also require  targeted, individualized intervention in literacy, math, and executive skills.  Students are identified using a range of data and through collaboration with teachers and divisional leaders. Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) are co-constructed with families and teachers to build agreements around  accommodations and learning goals. Student progress is monitored and communicated between home, the child’s teachers, and learning support classes.  In addition, Learning Support teachers collaborate with Educational Psychologists to review assessments and offer professional development to faculty. 

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The Middle School English as an Additional Language (EAL) program is provided in Grades 6-8. EAL support focuses on the acquisition and development of English while providing support that allows English Language Learners (ELL’s) to access grade level curriculum. In order to succeed socially and academically at AIS-R, students need to acquire a proficient level of English so they can learn and interact inside and outside the classroom. EAL admittance is defined below:

1. The Admissions Office, in coordination with the SST, determines if an EAL assessment is required at time of admissions testing based on records and information given by the parents and/or SST/ Principals recommends an EAL assessment during admissions testing. 

2. Teachers recommend EAL assessment to the EAL teacher through the Student Support Team (SST) process.