Student Services

Specialized Learning Assistance

 

Learning Diversity and Inclusion

The International School of Islamabad supports an inclusive model of education, yet is flexible in providing for out of class and one-on-one support as will best benefit the student to enhance learning and ensure academic success. Encompassing our mission and vision, and in the spirit of the International Baccalaureate Programmes (IB) standards and practices, we are invested in creating an accessible and enriched learning environment to serve students with diverse learning needs. In order to fulfill this ideal, teachers, counselors and administrators work collaboratively with students, parents and the community to create programs to support or enrich students with diverse needs. All teachers are expected to use multiple teaching strategies or differentiation and accommodations in order to help students’ successfully access the curriculum.

ISOI provides programs and strategies to serve students with very mild learning diversities.  The definition of very mild is based on the assumption that any student accepted for enrollment will be able to successfully complete regular classroom activities for approximately 85 percent of the school day in the elementary school. In the high school, the student will be able to successfully complete all regular class education requirements as outlined in the “Program of Studies.”

Parents of a child who needs special learning assistance, i.e. the child is now receiving “diversity and inclusion” services, are strongly advised to communicate with school personnel BEFORE accepting a posting in Islamabad. Parents should seek outside assessment in order to make service provision seamless. Students may not be withdrawn from the learning assistance program until the school determines that there is no longer a need for special learning assistance. Students who have physical, emotional, or behavioral difficulties and/or learning diversities severe enough to require individualized assistance beyond the school’s limited diversity and inclusion assistance program will not be enrolled in the school.

 

Diversity and Inclusion Policy

The International School of Islamabad (ISOI) is committed to providing an inquiry-based learning environment that allows all students to achieve success and develop international mindedness. Encompassing our mission and vision, and in the spirit of the International Baccalaureate Programmes standards and practices, we are invested in creating an accessible and enriched learning environment to serve students with learning diversities. In order to fulfill ISOI’s commitment to diversity and inclusion to the best of our capability, teachers, counselors and administrators work collaboratively with students, parents and the community to create supportive programs for students, either for remediation or enrichment.  All teachers are expected to use multiple teaching strategies to remove barriers to learning in order to help students successfully access the curriculum.  The communication of needs and assessments shall happen in a timely fashion in order to best support the students, parents and teachers.

The International School of Islamabad supports an inclusive model of education, yet is flexible in providing for one-on-one and small group support as best benefit the student to enhance learning. The School provides multiple assessments and opportunities to gauge student progress. The Support Services Team (SST) meets regularly to address student issues. The SST also meets regularly with concerned teachers to develop needed action plans.  In order to meet the changing needs of students as they transition through each division of the school, specialized interventions are supported.  At ISOI, small group, one-on-one withdrawal and in-class support are provided to help students attain success.  The International School of Islamabad believes that its program of support will help students strive for academic success, within the confines of its resources.

 

Guidance and Counselling

ISOI’s Counselors serve the Elementary and Secondary Schools. The Counselors work in partnership with students, parents, teachers and administrators to further ISOI’s Mission. ISOI’s proactive and responsive counseling services support social/emotional health, academic success, and attainment of each student’s college and career goals, while incorporating the global perspective that is unique to international schools.

The Counselors meet students and parents by appointment for individual needs and with class groups as needed. In the High School, the Counselor also serves as the students’ College and Career Counselor. Current students and parents can access the College Counseling Handbook of resources and information to guide them through the college planning process. PSAT, SAT courses and testing sessions are coordinated by the Counselor and given on specified dates during the school year. The Counselors manage MAP and other standardized tests.

 

School Medical Officer

A Medical Officer is on campus daily. The medical officer provides emergency medical assistance to students, conducts vision and hearing screening, assists with maintaining standards of hygiene, acts as a health education resource teacher for staff and students, and provides immunization and other health information to students’ families.

At the written permission of the parent, the medical office may provide Panadol, Paracetamol, and Pepto Bismol. Prescription medications that need to be taken during the school day should be sent with a note as to time and amount to be given for administration through the medical officer’s office.

The School has air purifiers in classrooms and the gymnasium. Air quality monitors are installed on campus. The medical officer uses the real time data from our onsite monitors to remind children to wear masks and to determine if outdoor activities should be moved indoors.

 

Libraries

The ISOI Libraries are the heart of our inquiry-based curriculum. There are two libraries on campus, one for Elementary School and one for Secondary School, both overseen by a certified librarian. Well-trained, full-time assistant librarians support the librarian. The Elementary Library works collaboratively with homeroom teachers to plan integrated Units of Inquiry while introducing knowledge and digital literacy skills. The Secondary Library grants access to 12,000 print volumes, an additional 94,000 full text digital books, and more than 10,000,000 article volumes through on-line subscription databases. In addition to these research volumes, a growing selection of popular, modern fiction, anime and graphic novels provides students with recreational reading. The libraries are available through the school website.

 

Textbooks and School Equipment

Textbooks are provided to all students on a loan basis. Students are held responsible for books checked out to them and must pay for lost or damaged books. Students will also be charged for deliberate damage to books, including writing or graffiti. Students are expected to cover textbooks to protect them.

The Student Store has a limited selection of school supplies for sale, as well as athletic department T-shirts and sportswear with the school name and logo. PE uniforms are available in the Student Store.

Students are responsible for using all school textbooks, materials, library books, and computers including peripherals, audio-visual equipment, and sports equipment in a respectful and responsible manner. Students will be charged for any damage they cause to school property, whether damaged intentionally or accidentally.