At ISU we come together as a whole school, a community of learners, to develop a sense of belonging for everyone. We support, guide and empower our community through the journey of inclusion and lifelong learning.
As a community, we understand that everyone can learn and reach their full potential given access and ownership. We strive to remove the barriers to an inclusive education and provide all learners with experiences that cultivate agency, embrace partnerships, and nurture strengths.
ISU Approach to Inclusion
Our approach to inclusion is captured within the ISU Mission Statement and our first Learning Principle:
- We learn together to unlock the opportunities of a changing world.
- Learning is inclusive.
We believe that inclusion is a holistic approach that serves to provide barrier-free, strength-based access to all learners and to facilitate solutions that enhance the learning environment. For more information about our approach to inclusion and learning support please contact the Director of Admissions at [email protected].
Inclusion is an educational approach to which we aspire through our commitment and our beliefs.
We believe:
- All children have inherent rights
- Everyone can and wants to learn
- Our strengths will help us overcome our challenges
- The barriers to education lie not within our learners, but within the structures and systems of education
- Learning is a partnership; a shared responsibility
- Agency promotes self-advocacy
- Inclusion transcends diversity
- A culture of inclusion is a community commitment
- Inclusion is a continuous journey
Our Services
We have teams of learning support teachers who collaborate, co-teach and co-create inclusive practices in the classrooms across the three programmes. These teams ensure that all students are able to access the curriculum.
Each section of the school has a counselor who is available to support the wellbeing and emotional health of the school community. The counselors work alongside the teaching faculty to inform, educate and guide learners as they navigate life’s challenges.
The school has two full-time therapists who support occupational and speech and language therapies. The therapists collaborate with the learning support teachers to determine the appropriate support.
Intensive learning support is available for learners in the Junior and Senior School who have needs that exceed our provision in the classroom context. Learners who are eligible are supported by dedicated staff who collaborate with classroom teachers to design a modified curriculum and an individualised functional skills programme.
English language learning (ELL) is offered in both sections of the school during the time that other additional languages are offered. This programme allows multi-lingual students to build their communications skills in English, by using their mother tongue as a stepping stone. ELL is designed to support students who are learning English to become socially and academically confident.
In Grade 11 and 12, we offer four pathways to graduation at ISU depending on student learning styles, needs and post-secondary aspirations.
- The Dual Diploma (ISU Diploma & IB Diploma)
- ISU Enriched Diploma (ISU Diploma & IB Courses)
- ISU Diploma (Equivalent to a US High School Diploma)
- ISU Certificate of Completion (Career Prep & Functional Life Skills)