Santiago Christian School

The school provides Counseling Services to support students' social and emotional development. The goal is to help students become personas íntegras, individuals characterized by fullness of health in academic, spiritual, social, emotional, and physical aspects, through a biblically-based holistic approach. Elementary services include ongoing support for students and families, with the counselor meeting with students individually and in small groups and delivering guidance lessons in the classroom. The elementary counselor oversees the Second Step social and emotional program and focuses on stress management, healthy peer and adult interactions, bullying, appropriate boundaries, goal-setting, emotion regulation, and biblically-based character traits. Parent forums and training sessions help families address current issues, while the secondary program provides individual and small-group counseling and supports college and career planning under the guidance of the school counseling team and school psychologist, who handles social and emotional concerns in confidential settings and coordinates testing and referrals.

The Learning Support Program (LSP) provides additional academic support to qualified students with learning disabilities, reflecting the biblical view that all children are equally valued by God. The program aims to give students the tools and support needed to experience success in school through individualized plans and strategic staff support. Admission requires documented disability from an approved professional, and services are offered at two levels, including replacement classes, in-class support, accommodations, and direct instruction in social, organizational, and study skills. Each student receives an individualized plan to foster academic growth, enhance classroom functioning, teach self-regulation and self-advocacy, and help students pursue God's purpose. LSP staff include coordinators and teachers who work collaboratively with general teachers to optimize learning conditions.

Second language acquisition is essential at SCS, with all students learning in English or Spanish and substantial investment in second-language training for all faculty. Teachers are trained in the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) to promote fluency in English across listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Core curriculum is taught in English by native English speakers, with literacy development in English and Spanish in the early grades. English as a Second Language (ESP) provides additional English-language support, with testing to determine need and levels of service, and most students exit ESP within three years. Spanish as a Second Language (SSP) offers guided instruction for non-Spanish-speaking students, integrated into Spanish and Social Studies classes, with students exiting the program when language skills enable success in a Spanish-language classroom.

The counseling team provides emotional support for students and is available via email for concerns about your child. The School Psychologist assists with social and emotional concerns in a confidential setting, coordinates psycho-educational testing, and helps develop plans for addressing issues, including referrals to external agencies when appropriate. In elementary, the counselor provides ongoing guidance and short-term counseling, while in secondary, counseling covers college and career planning in addition to academic counseling, emphasizing mental health prevention and ongoing support.

Safeguarding is a top priority, with a highly trained security team and clear protocols to maintain a safe environment at all times. The campus employs camera surveillance, trained staff, and strict access controls, and maintains the S+ Child Safety Certificate from the National Child Safety Association of Spain to recognize commitment to safe, high-quality learning environments. The security program includes structured arrival/drop-off procedures, strict delivery policies, and designated lanes for pick-up, along with communication channels to notify the school community about safety procedures.