Hokkaido International School Niseko

Counseling and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) are provided at HIS Niseko through a part-time on-site counselor who offers individual counseling and homeroom curricular support. Elementary daily classes include character education based on the Virtues Project, the HUSKIES learner outcomes, and the CASEL framework for SEL. In middle school and high school, a homeroom block on Monday, Thursday, and Friday supports character education in addition to college and career readiness through Unifrog. HIS describes its environment as a “character-rich environment” with guidance for students as they engage in “repeated positive struggle.” The on-site counselor is Laura Harmon (lharmon@his.ac.jp), and two part-time college counselors support post-secondary planning for high school students.

HIS Niseko may accommodate students with mild special needs, but is not a specialist SEN institution and cannot admit students with profound learning difficulties. Admissions require students to be able to communicate with the teachers and staff in English. For students who need additional support or assessment, HIS can help locate outside resources through English-language organizations such as TELL and International Mental Health Professionals Japan. Publicly published information does not describe a dedicated on-site learning support program beyond these general policies. The school's published admissions policy explicitly notes the accommodation of mild special needs and the absence of support for profound learning difficulties.

English is the language of instruction at HIS Niseko; the school offers an English-language international education. Public materials state that applicants should be able to communicate in English and interact with teachers and staff in English. No explicit EAL program or dedicated EAL staffing is published for HIS Niseko. The overall HIS Niseko profile confirms English-language instruction and a multilingual faculty, consistent with international education.

Wellbeing and social-emotional development are supported through Counseling and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) at HIS. There is a part-time on-site counselor who provides individual counseling and homeroom curricular support. Elementary students receive character education based on the Virtues Project, the HUSKIES learner outcomes, and the CASEL framework for SEL. In middle school and high school, the weekly homeroom blocks for character education run alongside college and career readiness activities via Unifrog. The on-site counselor and SEL program are described as fostering a 'character-rich environment' and guiding students through 'repeated positive struggle.'

HIS Niseko follows safeguarding practices as part of its WASC accreditation and Japan Council of International Schools membership. The school acknowledges a duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and all staff have a contractual obligation to defend and uphold this right. The safeguarding policy governs conduct, and documents include a Code of Conduct and Student and All Staff Protection Protocol and Guidelines, along with Signs to Look Out For. These policy documents are available for download, and the safeguarding framework applies to school activities and staff interactions.