American International School of Guangzhou

AISG's guidance program emphasizes positive relationships and guided social-emotional development; the school says counselors use the International School Counselor Association (ISCA) standards and run individual, group, classroom and advisory lessons across grade levels. Early Years guidance focuses on foundational SEL skills (listening, empathy, reading facial/body cues), while Elementary uses the Second Step curriculum for scheduled SEL lessons. In Lower Secondary SEL is supported through a weekly Advisory program and health classes; Upper Secondary counseling is developmental and includes academic advising alongside personal/social support. Counselors also provide parent-education opportunities and collaborate with faculty, EAL and Learning Support teams.

AISG states it operates a Learning Support programme across Elementary, Lower and Upper Secondary for students with mild learning differences rather than as a specialist SEN institution. The Learning Support provision combines in-class inclusion, small-group instruction and individual targeted interventions, and each student in the programme has a Student Learning Plan with goals, services and accommodations. The Admissions FAQ asks families to submit existing support plans, IEPs or psych-educational reports so the school can determine if it can meet a child's needs, and it specifies the school's support services are limited. AISG prefers a least-restrictive environment and notes some services (e.g., speech/OT) should be disclosed in advance so placement decisions can be made.

AISG publicly describes an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme that provides extra language support in the regular classroom using an inclusion model and is offered across divisions to help students access the curriculum. The Admissions process may include EAL testing for non-native English speakers, and placement in the EAL programme is limited and determined by principals and counselors. AISG notes EAL support is normally provided through in-class support and small-group instruction, with formal EAL places available through qualification and placement procedures. For Grades 11–12 the school expects students to be proficient in English for the DP; placement and availability are handled case-by-case.

AISG's Student Counseling programme frames wellbeing as integral to academic success and provides counselor-led individual and group meetings, classroom lessons and advisory activities to support students' mental and social health. The school follows ISCA-aligned, evidence-based counselling standards and offers parent-education sessions as part of its preventative approach. AISG runs an anti-bullying No Bully System (Solution Coaches and Solution Teams) and provides age-appropriate anti-bullying education and staff training to reduce harm and build peer support. The school's reporting and school-climate work (e.g., ‘Active in Care' improvements cited by the school) are presented as part of ongoing efforts to monitor and improve student wellbeing.

AISG's Child Protection statement says the school prioritises prevention and protection in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and PRC laws, and bases definitions on WHO guidance. The school publishes a Child Protection policy with required staff reporting procedures, annual employee training, routine background checks and a Child Protection Committee led by a Child Protection Coordinator. The site names the Child Protection Coordinator and designated officers (for example Jamie Robb; Eileen Rueth; DJ Macpherson; Tania Mansfield) and explains reporting, investigation and record-keeping responsibilities. AISG states failure to report suspected abuse may result in disciplinary action and that the school will communicate confirmed incidents to receiving schools when students transfer.