Counseling

Lower School education is a critical time in a child’s development because it is when children begin to establish their identity and start to understand who they are and where they fit into society. It is during this stage that children learn to interact with others, make friends and understand the world around them.

The Lower School Counselors work hard to support all of our students through this time of tremendous growth and development by supporting our teachers with Social Emotional Learning via collaboration or by facilitating lessons in the classroom. We can also provide short term, individual and small group meetings as needed based on self referrals as well as referrals from home and teachers. Our counseling team has strong connections with the community and can connect families with outside resources as needed.

The middle years are a time of remarkable growth and transformation, physically and socially/emotionally.

It’s a time of tremendous change and development when the ‘Tween’ is discovering who they are, what they believe in, and how they want to evolve. The Middle School counselors at ZIS actively support the students with identity and belonging, coping with academic and social stress, making good choices, increasing resiliency and maintaining optimal physical and mental health, and staying safe in the world and online. When additional therapeutic support is needed, the counselors work with families to make community referrals. They teach the students: Life can be tough; but you can do tough things. You got this! They are here to help; reach out anytime.

Social and Emotional Counseling

Individual counseling for this age group often focuses around identity and belonging, balancing demands, and managing stress and anxiety about the future. As school counselors, we support students with their final transition into adulthood as they start to separate from their parents and families to start a new chapter in their lives. 

Social Emotional counseling lessons: In grades 9 and 10, students participate in counseling classes on a regular basis to address issues relating to physical, mental, emotional and relational wellbeing. These classes provide students with information and facts so that they can make informed and healthy decisions. The curriculum is developed according to ISCA and CASEL standards and is adjusted based on student voice, data and engagement. The classes are taught in partnership with Physical Education teachers, our school’s health team, as well as outside specialists and speakers. 

The curriculum covers topics including:

• Mental Health & Wellbeing
• Identity and Belonging 
• Substances and Addiction Awareness
• Sex Education 
• Navigating the Digital World

In grades 11 and 12, students participate in topical conversations and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year. The focus of these are to continue to provide students with information so that they can make informed and healthy decisions. 

Parent Partnerships: we promote conversations with caregivers through our quarterly Counseling Corners, including topics such as transitions, parenting in a digital world, sex education, coming of legal drinking age in Switzerland and more.