International School of Tianjin

IST supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a structured Counseling program that promotes the overall wellness of students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The School Counseling program is described as comprehensive, preventative, and accessible, covering academic, personal/social, career, and global-perspective domains. The Counseling Department offers services across Academic Development (study skills, organization, tutoring), Career Development (PSAT/SAT prep, university planning, and visits), and Personal/Social Development (individual and group counseling, grief management, peer conflict resolution, new student orientation, and transition presentations). Counselors are described as holding Master's level credentials and providing support for academic, social, and career concerns, while referrals to external professionals may be made for diagnoses or specialized needs. A designated Counseling contact is provided for inquiries: StudentServices@istianjin.org.cn.

IST provides Learning Support and an Individual Needs (I.N.) program to assist students who require additional help to participate in school programs. The Learning Support/I.N. framework supports in-class or small‑group instruction and may include classroom modifications, with a focus on enabling participation in regular classes. The Student Services Department emphasizes collaboration with classroom teachers to design curriculum and implement diverse teaching strategies, and it explicitly values mother tongue and culture while supporting English language development. English Language Acquisition (ELA) and I.N. work together to support students with language and learning needs, with ELA incorporating pull‑out and push‑in approaches in the Elementary School and alignment to MYP/DP in Secondary. First language offerings include English, French, German, and Chinese (English and mother-tongue maintenance are supported), with Korean available in Secondary, and Mandarin offered to all students. The information published does not enumerate a detailed taxonomy of Special Educational Needs; SEN support is described in general terms through Learning Support and the IN program.

IST provides English Language Acquisition (ELA) as part of its Student Services to develop academic English proficiency and enable access to the mainstream curriculum. ESL teachers collaborate with homeroom and subject teachers to support students. In Elementary (Grades 1‑5), ELA uses a combination of pull‑out and push‑in support, with up to two pull‑out lessons per day for foundational language needs. In Secondary, ELA aligns with MYP and DP English language acquisition courses, with placement based on the WIDA framework and grouped by proficiency level; students may take English Language and Literature once proficient enough. IST also offers First Language classes in English, French, German, and Chinese (Korean in Secondary), plus Mandarin for all students, and actively supports mother tongue maintenance and development.

Mental wellbeing at IST is embedded in the School Counseling program, which aims to promote the overall wellness of K‑12 students and provides preventative, accessible support across academic, personal/social, career, and global perspectives. Counseling services cover Academic Development, Career Development, and Personal/Social Development, including offerings such as group counseling, grief management, peer conflict resolution, new student orientation, and transition planning. Professional School Counselors hold Master's level credentials; they assist with concerns in academic, social, and career areas but do not diagnose, with external referrals arranged as needed. The Student Services Department also comprises ELA and IN programs, which support students' language and social needs and contribute to overall wellbeing. For contact or referrals, the Counseling team can be reached at StudentServices@istianjin.org.cn.

IST operates a Community Safeguarding Framework that centers on promoting the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of the entire IST community. Safeguarding policies are guided by the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1990) and are reinforced by the IST School Philosophy. The framework comprises Eight Essential Domains, each with defined Mission and Objectives, to govern safeguarding scope and the wellbeing of all community members. Details of the framework are available as IST Community Safeguarding Framework materials, including an overview PDF, which can be downloaded from the school's safeguarding resources. The framework and related policies reflect the IST Board of Governors' Community Safeguarding Policy 5.1j, underlining a formal, school‑wide commitment to child protection and welfare.