Senior School Academic Support
The Academic Support program assists students with documented learning disabilities or those having difficulty accessing the MIS curriculum in grades 9-12. Students are assigned to an Academic Support class and receive progress reports and effort grades. Classes meet three times a week.
In addition to the Academic Support class, students who have been diagnosed with a learning disability or other difficulty by a licensed educational psychologist may receive special accommodations in the classroom, such as extended time on tests and examinations, use of a word processor, reader, scribe, large print, or preferential seating.
If a student has been evaluated, the Counsellor receives a copy of the report in English, which will be placed in the student’s file. This must take place before accommodations can be offered. Consult with your child’s Counsellor or the Academic Support Teacher regarding any questions about an educational psychological evaluation.
Special Accommodations for External Exams
Students who have been diagnosed with a learning or other difficulty by a licensed educational or clinical psychologist may also apply for special accommodations for external examinations (IB, IGCSE, PSAT, SAT, or ACT).
If students would like to request special accommodations for any external examinations, they must submit a copy of their educational/psychological assessment report to their Counsellor.
Generally, students have to have been receiving the same accommodations in school that they are requesting for the external exams. It is important to check with the IB Coordinator, Academic Support teacher or Counsellor about the timeline for applying for accommodations and for updating evaluations.
Pastoral Care Programme
The Pastoral Care Programme in the Senior School is delivered by the Year Advisors, the Counsellors, and the Assistant Principal, who meet with students in groups and as individuals. The Year Advisors meet every morning during homeroom with groups of 16 to 18 students for administrative purposes. There is one extended period scheduled for them to be with their students each week. The Personal, Health, and Social Education program is based on MIS’ Educational Values and Goals, the IB Learner Profile, the MYP Areas of Interaction, and the developmental needs of students in each grade. The Year Advisors, Counsellors and Assistant Principal collaborate in the planning and implementation of the program.
Special sessions are offered to parents throughout the year to maintain effective communication within the MIS community. Topics include an introduction to international transitions, explanation of different educational programmes, and information about the university application process. (Detailed university guidance information can be found in The MIS Curriculum for Grades 11/12 document [section 7], available on the MIS website.)