Dalian American International School

DAIS runs a Comprehensive Counseling and Student Services program that supports social and emotional learning (SEL), health, and wellbeing for all students. SEL is delivered through a year-by-year, developmentally appropriate program integrated with academic and wellbeing goals, including advisory structures and college/career readiness components. The school's counseling team includes a Director of Counseling and Student Services (Dr. Daniel Gould) and a Social Emotional Counselor, with additional college counselors who provide SEL-focused support; a Whole School Learning Support Coordinator coordinates learning support across the campus. The K-12 SEL framework covers four domains: academic, personal/social, intercultural competence, and college/career readiness, with structured, grade-specific lessons. Early Years use Zones of Regulation and age-appropriate wellbeing activities, and wellbeing assessments are used in Secondary to monitor progress. This is described on the Counseling and Student Services page and in safeguarding communications.

DAIS provides learning support through a Whole School Learning Support Coordinator and Learning Support staff. The team includes Lydia Donahue as the Whole School Learning Support Coordinator (with background in Elementary Education and Special Education) and Jade Wu as Learning Support (with training in ASD and IEPs). Counseling and Student Services offers social and emotional learning, academic and learning support for all students as part of a developmental, year-to-year program. The school references a Learning Support Philosophy in its admissions materials, indicating a formal framework for how learning support is provided. DAIS is not described as a specialist SEN institution; rather, SEN support is integrated within the broader all-through program. For specifics, the Counseling and Student Services team is the point of contact.

EAL support in DAIS is described explicitly for the Early Years, where every student receives EAL support tailored to the individual level to promote success in English and in the home language. The Early Years Curriculum notes EAL support is provided and adjusted to each child's level. A 2021 Welcome Back post references EAL program models as part of the school's language support framework. Current official Counseling pages do not explicitly document EAL provisions beyond Early Years. Based on available sources, EAL appears to be described primarily for Early Years, with no publicly documented EAL program details for other grade levels.

Mental wellbeing is supported through the Counseling and Student Services program, which emphasizes social and emotional learning, health, and wellbeing as core components of student support. The Counseling page details a comprehensive, developmental SEL program and a range of services for personal and school success. Staff include a Director of Counseling and Student Services and a team of counselors who provide college and career readiness, social emotional learning, and responsive services. The program emphasizes advisory groups, individual meetings, and after-school programming to support wellbeing. Zones of Regulation and wellbeing assessments are used in the school's safeguarding materials to promote emotional safety and self-regulation.

DAIS adopts Nord Anglia Education Guidance and Procedure for Safeguarding, Protecting and promoting the welfare of students. The policy includes rigorous staff recruitment, ongoing safeguarding training, secure campuses, and clear reporting mechanisms. A Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mr. Stephen Cairns) is available to address safeguarding concerns, with staff and posters or anonymous QR reporting as channels. Emotional safety is addressed through age-appropriate education and opportunities for students to voice concerns and seek guidance from trusted adults. The school's Parent Essentials page confirms safeguarding commitments and the Nord Anglia framework.