Special Needs/Learning Differences
- Learning Skills and Academic Support
- English as an Additional Language
- Enrichment
The Student Services Department coordinates the additional and specialized learning programs within the school (EC3 classes to Grade 12) for students identified as requiring these services. The services offered by the department include: remedial and study assistance programs for students requiring learning skills development and academic support; English language teaching for students with low proficiency English language capabilities; and, opportunities of special rigor and challenge for students with documented high academic abilities.
Remedial Education and Study Assistance: Learning Skills and Academic Support
Specialist faculty at AISB (Elementary and Secondary), provide program development and teaching services to students with mild and mild-to-moderate learning support needs. Programs are delivered in both individual and small group withdrawal settings in place of grade or subject classes. These occur through inclusive services in regular classes by way of individual support and/or accommodations. Students may receive 1 to 3 lessons of learning support per week. Either at the time of the application process, or after successful admission to AISB, students with learning support needs may have further cognitive, achievement and/or developmental evaluations administered by specialists of the Student Services Department.
Admissions Requirements
Any educational, emotional or physical needs must be noted in detail on the admissions application. Please provide any available academic or psychological evaluations and reports of extra academic support the applicant is receiving. i.e. one or more of the following items of documentation:
- - Achievement or diagnostic tests
- - Psycho-educational assessment such as an Individual Educational Plan
In addition to this information, the school may further investigate the disclosed need for learning support. Failure to disclose such information may result in the revocation of an offer of admission.
English Language Proficiency: English as an Additional Language
Programs to improve students with low level English language proficiency are offered in both school divisions. Elementary School and Secondary School specialist EAL faculty teach students requiring English language assistance through both small group withdrawal classes and supported inclusion opportunities during regular classes (between 1 and 5 lessons per week). The challenge to students of learning English for academic purposes must not be underestimated; this can be a long process which generally requires many years of study before a student has sufficient proficiency in English to master the complexity of learning in the Secondary School. In view of this, students may attend EAL as their foreign language class, and/or in place of English Literature classes, and/or in place of regular grade level programs until the student is sufficiently proficiency in English to master all aspects of the school's curriculum. Students with EAL needs are expected to make specific achievements in all school subjects. In the event a student is unable to make satisfactory progress, the student may be involuntarily withdrawn from the school upon recommendation of the principal and the student's teachers.
Admissions Requirements
For students in Early Childhood 3 and 4, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-5, English proficiency is preferred but not required for admission. Upon admission however, an assessment of the student's English language proficiency will be completed and programs prescribed as necessary. All non-native English speaking students applying for Grades 6-12 must pass an English proficiency assessment to gain admittance to AISB. Depending on the assessment results, a student may be required to enroll in one or more of the Secondary School's EAL courses.
Academic Extension: Enrichment
The Whole-School Enrichment Program supports gifted students to realize their full potential through special programs designed to meet their need for additional rigor and challenge. The opportunities include class placement considerations, classroom accommodations and differentiated instruction, and enrichment activities. The Enrichment Program extends and adds to the regular curriculum of the school by providing academic extension and additional learning opportunities to the identified students. Eligibility for the Enrichment Program is verified through screening, standardized and informal assessments, consultation with the student's teacher and discussions with parents. This is followed by formal identification of the student's eligibility through the consideration of student performance against criteria and specific measures.
Admissions Requirements
The need for academic extension should be noted in detail on the admissions application. Please provide all available academic or psychological evaluations and reports of academic extension the applicant is receiving (i.e., one or more of the following items of documentation - achievement or diagnostic tests, psycho-educational assessments, program descriptions). In addition to this information, the school may further investigate the disclosed need for academic extension.
For more information please contact:
Mrs. Catalina Pieptea, Admissions Officer
