Student Support Services

CIS–Secondary School Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Guiding Students Toward Global Success

At CIS, our Comprehensive School Counseling Program is designed to support the holistic development of every student. Guided by the standards of the International School Counselor Association (ISCA), we provide a program that ensures equity, access, and opportunity for all learners while preparing them to succeed in a diverse and interconnected world.

Our Mission

Our school counselors are trained professionals who work with students, families, and educators to support academic achievement, personal and social growth, and college and career readiness. We aim to empower students to become resilient, culturally aware, and adaptable individuals who are prepared for success both locally and globally.

Areas of Focus

Academic Development

Helping students set achievable academic goals and celebrate progress
Supporting effective study habits and organizational skills
Partnering with teachers to address unique learning needs
Encouraging resilience and confidence in the classroom

Personal and Social Development

Teaching skills in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and responsible decision-making
Encouraging intercultural understanding, empathy, respect, and healthy relationships with peers
Promoting social and emotional well-being at every grade level
Providing a safe, confidential space for students to share concerns and problems

University and Career Readiness

Guiding students through self-discovery of strengths, values, and interests
Assisting with university and college exploration, application processes, and financial planning
Offering resources for career exploration, workplace readiness, and global opportunities
Creating opportunities such as university fairs and career fairs

Our Approach

Comprehensive: A structured program designed to meet the academic, social/emotional, and university/career needs of every student.
Preventative and Developmental: Classroom lessons, workshops, and group activities that build essential skills before challenges emerge.
Responsive: Individual and small-group counseling to address student concerns as they arise.
Collaborative: Working alongside parents, educators, and community partners to foster student growth in a global context.

Why It Matters

In today’s interconnected world, students must be prepared not only for academic success, but also for life beyond the classroom. By supporting the whole child, our comprehensive school counseling program helps students develop the confidence, adaptability, resilience, and cultural competence needed to thrive in college, in careers, and as global citizens.

English Language Learning (ELL)

CIS encourages all students to develop to their full potential, recognizing that children progress at different rates. Teachers provide differentiated programming and learning goals to meet students’ individual needs.

Elementary

Grades (Kindergarten - 2)

Our admissions policy allows for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 2 to enroll as beginning English language learners. In time and with classroom teacher support, primary students can develop a foundation of early English language acquisition and literacy.

At the end of Grade 2, children are assessed to determine their English Language proficiency in Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing according to the Ontario Ministry of Education Steps to English Proficiency (STEP) Framework and MAP and WIDA Testing

This assessment aims to determine that children have the required academic English language comprehension and skills to meet the demands of our rigorous academic program.

Grade 3 - 8

Children not meeting the STEP 4 English proficiency requirement or at a CEFR level of B1 must participate in our fee-based After School English as an Additional Language Learning (EAL) program beginning in Grade 4-3.

High School (Grades 9-12)

The CIS high school program is academic and rigorous. New applicants for Grades 9-11, whose English proficiency is assessed below grade level, will not be admitted to CIS.

1. About the Library Learning Commons (LLC)

The CIS Library Learning Commons is situated in the central hub of the CIS campus, spanning the 3rd and 4th floors. On the third floor, you'll find a diverse range of collections catering to students from Kindergarten to Intermediate levels, overseen by Ms. Jasmine, our Elementary Librarian, along with the support of Ms. Trieu, our Library Assistant. Moving up to the fourth floor, we house collections tailored for Intermediate through High School students under the guidance of Ms. Claire. Both floors boast collaborative spaces, individual workstations, and inviting reading corners to enhance the learning experience.

2. CIS Library team

Ms. Jasmine Rose

Librarian

Ms. Yvanwee Claire Ocampo

Librarian

3. Library Hours

CIS Elementary Library (3rd floor) - 7:30-16:30

CIS Secondary Library (4th floor) - 8:00-16:00

4. Online Library

Currently, the LLC offers online resources, including Destiny Discover, JSTOR, and Britannica.
If you have any recommendations for any online resource now unavailable, please let us know through the feedback form, email us, or talk to us in person—we'd love to hear from you.

* Please notify the 3rd/4th floor library if subscription(s) have ended on the below resources so they can be renewed ASAP.

Destiny discover
Destiny Discover provides one discovery interface for students and educators to search and access all print and digital resources, including eBooks, audiobooks, and interactive books. Here, you can browse, reserve, and rate all books available at the CIS library!

How to log in:
Step 1: Go to the library webpage (according to your campus)
Step 2: Click ‘Login’ top right corner
Step 3: ‘Sign in with Google’ using your school email address.
NOTE: If an error occurs, please see the librarian.

5. Britannica School

Britannica School/Britannica Encyclopedia is a citable online learning resource trusted by teachers and students. The information is aligned with the school curriculum, updated daily, and spans a range of media, including video, images and audio content. Students at CIS can use this resource for research and general reading.

6. JSTOR

JSTOR provides access to over 12 million journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in 75 disciplines. This online resource helps students and teachers explore a wide range of scholarly content through a powerful research and teaching platform.

7. Vision & Goals

Library Learning Commons (LLC) aims to evolve into a vibrant center for learning, reading, and community engagement within the school.
To achieve this, we have outlined the following strategic initiatives:

Creating Welcoming Spaces: We aim to design open and inviting environments in both library spaces, fostering a sense of inclusivity and collaboration.
Collection Development: Enhance accessibility and usability, ensuring that resources align with current educational needs and diversify by annually curating new resource lists for acquisition, including various dual-language books, diverse picture books and books featuring neurodiverse and LGBTQ+ characters.
Community Engagement: By regularly meeting with classroom teachers, we seek to increase staff and community involvement in the library. We also encourage utilizing the library space for both school and community functions.
Supporting Educational Programs: We remain dedicated to supporting the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and the Ontario Curriculum, aligning our initiatives with the educational goals of these frameworks.

Through these initiatives, we aspire to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that resonates with the diverse needs of our students, staff, and community members.

“Promoting Love of Reading”

8. FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions which we have answered. If you still have questions, please contact us in person or through email. We'd love to answer any questions you may have.

The Canadian International School was established and has been developing since 2009.

CIS is the first and only comprehensive school in Ho Chi Minh city to offer the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) program. Students graduating from grade 12 will receive the Canadian Secondary Diploma, or the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP).

SCHOLARSHIP EVALUATION CRITERIA

- Students who have achieved awards in prestigious competitions organized from the city level and above.
- Competitions fall within the three areas of Academics, Sports, and Arts.
- Minimum average subject grade of 8.0 or above (or equivalent) in the most recent two academic years.
- Active participation and contribution to community activities.

Simply enter a keyword or subject in the search box and click Search if you are looking for a specific item, type in the author’s name or the title.

Yes! Start your search on the library homepage using the Destiny Discover search box or choose a specific database from the Learning Resources list. Once logged in, you will then be given full access to content.

Check out all the library materials and resources here

Get Access

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