Vienna International School

Social emotional learning and pastoral care are central to VIS. The program helps students develop self-management, relationship skills, social awareness, and responsible decision making to support academic success. Building community is a school-wide duty of care; every student has a trusted adult and is known within the school. In Primary School the classroom teacher is the first point of contact, with grade level leaders and social emotional counselors; in Secondary School, a network includes a grade level leader, an advisor, social emotional counselors, university counselors and a curriculum leader for student learning support. The social emotional curriculum is evidence-based, comprehensive, and age-appropriate.

Learning Support Services empower all students to be successful and responsible learners in a nurturing and diverse IB World School. They aim to enable students to become empowered lifelong learners who value their strengths and understand their needs to work toward their potential. Difference and diversity are central, and meaningful and equitable access to the curriculum is provided for IB students. Learning Support is available from the Early Learning Centre through Grade 12, with an ILP or AP for students with identified needs. Specific in-school supports include In-Class Support, Skills Lab, Intervention (Primary), 1:1 Support and Reader/Scribe, with ongoing collaboration among teachers, Learning Support staff, students and parents.

English Language Acquisition (ELA) supports students whose mother tongue is not English to acquire English and participate confidently across the curriculum. ELA is embedded in the school curriculum with different levels of support and is delivered by language acquisition specialists. Progress is continuously monitored and decisions about a student's current language phase are made collaboratively by ELA teachers and class teachers. ELA aligns with IB PYP Language Phases and IB MYP Language Acquisition frameworks; intensive students may receive dedicated instruction in small groups.

Mental wellbeing is a visible priority at VIS. Mental Health Awareness Week and related activities encourage resilience, balance, and acts of kindness within the school community. A community database of Vienna-area resources supports families beyond the classroom. Counselling and pastoral care structures provide ongoing support for emotional wellbeing and are complemented by wellbeing initiatives across the school.

Vienna International School commits to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every student, physically and socially emotionally, on campus and in school activities off campus. The school embeds the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and has two Child Protection/Student Safeguarding Officers who lead a team of counselors and staff. Safeguarding and child protection are prioritized through staff training, education, and safe recruitment practices, and safeguarding concerns are handled in line with the Child Protection Policy. VIS is accredited by the Council of International Schools and Middle States Accreditation and complies with GDPR requirements.