Mirdif American School

The Guidance and Counseling department is dedicated to enhancing students' social and emotional development and academic success at MAS. Holistic play therapy is used to help students relax and discuss difficult topics. Classroom lessons focus on character education, and mentoring and empowerment groups support older students. Transition days for students moving onto the next stage of education, and parent outreach through Coffee Talk mornings, support continuity between school and home. The school also implements school-wide anti-bullying initiatives as part of its wellbeing strategy.

Mirdif American School describes an inclusive learning environment with differentiated instruction to meet diverse needs, noting that inclusion benefits academic, social, emotional and psychological development for all students. The School offers a tiered and holistic approach to Student of Determination (SOD) support, including differentiation, individual education plans (IEPs), push-in and pull-out supports, and practical/vocational programs. The provision also includes sensory therapy integration for neurological impairment, enrichment for gifted and talented students, and collaboration with outside specialist providers to deliver speech, occupational and ABA therapy. EAL support recognizes bilingualism as a strength, with an EAL team delivering differentiation inside the classroom, pull-out support, vocabulary development and audio-program exposure. The materials describe SEN support within MAS's general school framework and do not identify MAS as a specialist SEN institution.

At MAS, bilingualism is recognized as a strength and the school welcomes its diverse classroom community. An EAL team is dedicated to supporting students whose English proficiency is developing. EAL support scaffolds learning so students can participate in the social and academic environment of the English-speaking community. Support is provided through effective differentiation inside the classroom, pull-out English language development, vocabulary development and enhanced peer groupings, along with audio programs for exposure to English.

The Guidance and Counseling department is committed to enhancing social and emotional development, as well as academic success. Holistic play therapy helps students relax while discussing difficult topics. Classroom lessons focus on character and moral education, with mentoring and empowerment groups supporting students across the grades. Transition days are organized to support students moving to the next stage of education, and parent outreach through Coffee Talk mornings supports wellbeing. The school also develops school-wide anti-bullying initiatives as part of its wellbeing strategy.

The MAS clinic is staffed with licensed professionals who monitor students' health and attend to minor injuries. All staff are properly trained in child-protection policies and practices. The Student Support Services Department promotes an inclusive, safe learning environment and collaborates with stakeholders to support all students' wellbeing and educational outcomes. The Guidance and Counseling program includes anti-bullying initiatives as part of safeguarding, and transition days with parent outreach contribute to student safety and wellbeing.