WAB Support

High School Counseling

Whole Student. Whole Journey. Rooted in Care. Focused on Growth.

Counseling services at the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) promote personal well-being, healthy relationships, and the successful balance of academic, extracurricular, and community involvement for WAB students. WAB’s comprehensive counseling model offers guidance in all aspects of school life, from the first day of class to preparing for graduation, applying to universities, and preparing for life after graduation.

The High School Counseling Department works closely with students, parents, teachers, and mentors, and is part of WAB’s Student Support Services which also includes Learning Support and English as an Additional Language (EAL).

WAB HS Counseling Vision Statement:

“Empowering every student to thrive academically, personally, and socially, we envision a future where holistic support fosters resilience, global citizenship, and lifelong success within an inclusive community.”

WAB HS Counseling Department is committed to fostering student agency—the capacity to take ownership of their learning, make informed decisions, and act with purpose and confidence to shape their own futures.

  • Empower students to explore their identities, interests, and values, guiding them to make choices that reflect their authentic selves.
  • Encourage reflection through self-awareness and risk-taking, helping students understand how their experiences, strengths, and goals inform their decisions.
  • Build skills for lifelong well-being, including resilience, adaptability, and self-advocacy, so students can navigate challenges with confidence.
  • Collaborate with all stakeholders to create an environment where students feel supported, heard, and empowered to take initiative, enabling them to choose pathways that reflect their unique strengths and aspirations.
  • Facilitate voice and choice in academic planning, personal growth, and post-secondary pathways, ensuring students are active participants rather than passive recipients of guidance.
WAB ‘Best Fit’ Definition for University College Counseling

At WAB, we recognize that there is not just one perfect path—there are many environments where a student can thrive, feel challenged, and be happy. The Counselling Department supports students in exploring these diverse possibilities, helping them make informed, authentic decisions that reflect who they are and who they would like to become. Students see themselves as the authors of their own stories. They make choices not out of pressure or comparison, but from a deep understanding of who they are and who they want to become.

Learning Support

WAB provides an inclusive network of support. The High School Learning Support Team works to ensure that every learner can access the curriculum through proactive design and collaborative systems. This approach empowers students to work closely with mentors, learning specialists, language specialists, and counselors to set goals and implement tailored strategies. Our focus is on developing skills in thinking and learning, curriculum access, executive functioning, and self-advocacy—while maintaining high expectations and equitable access for all learners.

Support is available based on student individual needs and is delivered in a variety of ways:

  • In-Class Support
Accommodations and inclusive strategies are provided within mainstream classrooms through collaboration between Learning Support teachers and subject teachers.
  • Pull-Out Support
Small-group, individualized sessions led by a Learning Support teacher to target specific academic and executive functioning goals.
  • Homework Club 
A drop-in after-school support program open for all Grades 9-12 students and facilitated by a Learning Support teacher to provide guidance on homework and assignments.
  • Day 9 General Support
Available to all Grades 9–12 students as a dedicated study block. It provides a supportive environment where students can catch up on assignments, review concepts, and seek guidance from a Learning Support teacher.
  • Scheduled Check-In (Grades 11 and 12)
Students meet with their Learning Support teacher during an available free block to review progress, prioritize upcoming tasks, and prepare for assessments using strategies that build confidence and independence.

Assessment Accomodation

Students from grades 9 to 12 who require assessment accommodations will follow the IB Guidelines for Access and Inclusion (2023). Some examples of accommodations include an alternate setting, a rest break, additional time, the use of a word processor, the use of a 4-function calculator, access to a prompter, a reader, or a scriber. Any accommodation authorized will be available for the student to use, including during the DP Final Exams.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

WAB celebrates multilingualism as a strength and a tool for inclusion. The High School EAL team partners with students, families, and staff to build on learners’ existing linguistic and cultural assets while supporting their development of English for full participation in the High School curriculum. The goal is not only language proficiency but also nurturing identity, belonging, and confidence as multilingual learners.
 

Students engage in language-rich experiences through the following programs

  • In-Class Language Support
EAL specialists collaborate with subject teachers to co-plan, co-teach, and co-assess, ensuring that learning environments are designed with flexibility and accessibility in mind while valuing students’ home languages as resources for learning.
  • Academic Reading and Writing  (Grade 11 and 12) 
This additional course strengthens academic literacy for success in upper-level courses. Students explore texts and writing tasks through varied formats and strategies, building skills that connect language development with disciplinary learning.
  • Day 9  Language Support 
Available to all multilingual learners in Grades 9–12, these sessions provide personalized guidance across subject areas. Support includes revision, editing, and skill-building in listening, reading, speaking, and writing—always framed through strategies that promote independence and self-advocacy.

Assessment and Feedback

At WAB, assessment is about growth so students are encouraged to reflect on their process and progress. Teacher feedback is timely, clear, and focused on goals so students can act on it and improve. Assessments are designed to be fair and accessible for all learners. Students with a Support Plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP) has accommodations and modifications in place. The goal is to help every student feel confident and successful by providing multiple ways to learn and show their understanding.