Student Support Services

Counseling Services

As student advocates, TISA school counselors engage students in facing personal and academic challenges with a growth mindset. Our aim is to inspire lifelong learners who are principled, generous, courageous, thoughtful and resilient. Counselors collaborate with students, staff, parents & community to empower each student through a comprehensive program, which is developmentally and culturally appropriate, balanced and supports social, emotional, global perspectives, academic, career and identity growth.

The counseling department engages with students, community members and staff through the following:

• Classroom, Individual and Small Group Counseling
• Parent Consults and Workshops
• Transitions Support
• Faculty Partnering
• Child Safeguarding including the Keeping Safe Curriculum
• Assistance with whole school alignment of ATLs to advisory and homeroom lessons
• Referrals (to internal and external resources as needed)
• Future Planning (College/Career Counseling)

English as an Additional Language

Students applying to TISA who are non-native speakers of English may be potential candidates for the English as an Additional Language (EAL) program. On admission, potential students are assessed to identify English Language Learners (ELLs) and place them in appropriate language support programs. The EAL program aims to equip students with the language skills they need, to function socially and academically.

The EAL teachers ensure that ELLs have equal access to the curriculum by:

• developing students’ language skills in both oral and written language
• encouraging students to transfer their knowledge, skills, and understanding of one language to another
• monitoring students’ progress and setting objectives and goals for the next steps
• assessing students to inform teaching and learning
• liaising and planning collaboratively with homeroom teachers to best support English language learners
• working in a co-teaching or an advisory role, offering strategies, differentiated outcomes, and resources, depending on student’s language proficiency levels and abilities
• communicating information about students’ progress with teachers and parents

The EAL department works in partnership with classroom and subject teachers to support the academic language development of all learners.

Learning Support Services

The Learning Support Department provides ongoing support for students who have gone through a referral and identification process. Support is offered for challenges related to all aspects of learning, learner variability, and students with exceptional abilities in different subjects. Learning Support specialists advise teachers regarding the needs of students and coordinate communication between administrators, teachers, students, and parents. We offer in-class support using the inclusion model and pull-out support. Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) are shared and reviewed with students, teachers, and parents throughout the year.

Intervention is designed to:

• meet individual learning needs and styles of neurodivergent students
• ensure access to standards and curriculum
• develop the student’s ability to be expert learners
• remove barriers to learning and highlight strengths

The Learning Support Department affirms the right of all our students to develop to their maximum potential in a warm and caring educational environment.