Overview
The aim of Student Support Services is to ensure that all students in the middle school have the opportunity to be successful by achieving their full developmental and academic potential. Through the Student Support Team, the school provides students with a range of services, which include learning support, English language learning support, a challenge program for highly able students, and counseling. Since AIS/Dhaka is an inclusive school, services are aligned as much as possible with the student’s regular classroom environment.

Learning Support/Skills Development Seminar (SDS)
Skills Development Seminar (SDS) is a course designed to provide academic support to those students who have particular learning needs and require academic support. This support class meets every other day for 85 minutes. In addition, the SDS specialist works closely with classroom teachers to provide appropriate individualized and/or small group support. Students also learn study skills and to develop time management strategies in order to become successful independent learners. (See course descriptions for additional details about SDS)

English as a Second Language Program (ESL)
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program is designed to provide academic and social support for non-native speakers of English in the Middle School. The primary purpose of the program is to ensure that all students become proficient in English and achieve academic success. The ESL program provides students with a subject called English for Academic Purposes, which is taught by an ESL specialist. This subject meets for 85 minutes every other day. In addition, the ESL specialist collaborates with classroom teachers in an effort to integrate language skills and strategies in content area and subject matter whenever possible.

The Challenge Program
The overarching goal of the Middle School Challenge Program is to provide highly able students with opportunities to develop their academic potential. This pilot program is designed to meet the needs of highly able students by enriching and extending learning opportunities in inclusive classroom settings in the following core academic area courses- Humanities (Language Arts and Social Studies), Mathematics, and Science. Students’ advancement, interest, and strength in certain subject areas may vary; therefore, they need opportunities to work at different levels of challenge. In the AIS/Dhaka Middle School, this means that teachers of core subject areas will design learning experiences and provide challenge/extension opportunities within existing units of study that will develop and enhance a student’s complex reasoning skills, life skills, and creativity in an inclusive, low-risk environment. If appropriate, teachers may extend student learning by offering challenges in modern language courses, elective courses, and quarter exploratory courses.

Counseling Program
The Middle School Counselor monitors the academic, social, and emotional needs of students in the Middle School and provides appropriate counseling services to meet those needs. The Counselor works closely with the Student Support Team, advisories, and classroom teachers to identify and meet student needs. The Counselor also monitors the academic progress of students and serves as a liaison between students, parents and teachers