The guidance department is committed to following the academic progress of our students to ensure that graduation requirements are met. In order to better accommodate the various needs of our students, you may review the information below. From students who are struggling academically to those wishing to have the most academically challenging program possible, we have you covered. Information covered in this section includes: the academic probation/at risk program; the AP program overview; the four-year planning overview; and the personal community service overview.

Academic Probation/At Risk Program
Any students who receive a D or an F in an academic course required for graduation purposes will receive an invitation to the new academic study skills group counseling program. Offered two times per quarter, this group is available to help students to get back on track academically. The academic study skills group counseling was formed to address students who are at risk for graduation credit losses and/or on academic probation. The purpose of the group is to help student to improve their academic skills through Cognitive Behavioral Reality Based theory in a psycho educational model. “Psycho educational groups are structured in such a way as to help people develop specific skills, understand certain themes, or go through difficult like transitions.” (Corey, 2008). Ultimately, the group objectives are to enable students: to increase self-direction, interdependence, and responsibility toward themselves and others; to become aware of the choices they make, learning to make wise choices; and to make specific plans for changing certain behaviors, committing themselves to follow through with those plans. Parent letters and registration forms are sent home to targeted students at the end of each quarter and after progress reports.  If you are interested in signing up for the group, please click the links above, print the forms, and submit them to the guidance counselor.

AP Program Overview
The guidance counselor is available for any students and parents who desire to discuss the advanced placement program at ICS. Students should be aware that AP studies are taught at a college level, and it is therefore advisable that students limit their AP course load to no more than three per school year. While the school does not require students to adhere to these limits, the counselor will strongly advise against schedules that contain four or more AP courses in one year. For more information on the AP program and placement therein, please consult the High School Course Handbook.

In our efforts to assist students with their AP preparations, the guidance department database has study guides and practice AP exams. Students are encouraged to access this database often in their efforts to improve their AP exam scores. In addition, AP exam dates, payment deadlines, and information can be viewed on the guidance calendar.

Four-Year Planning Overview
All students will meet either in groups or individually with the guidance counselor to discuss the four-year planning process. Students will have opportunities to take career assessments and express their academic pursuits for the future in this process. This will enable the guidance department to customize student schedules to meet the demands of particular fields of interest and college entrance requirements for those fields. Students and parents will receive their four-year planners in the early spring to review their choices, select potential adjustments, and submit signed copies each year. In addition, students can look to the guidance calendar and anticipate email “assignments” from the guidance department. These “assignments” will point them to interest inventories, career research sites, and college searches that will assist families in the college/career planning process.

Personal Community Service
Many students want to increase their profile as a candidate for top colleges and universities. One of the best ways of doing that is through community service. ICS understands this important aspect of the educational experience.  In the 2007-08 school year, we implemented the personal community service requirement for graduation in an effort to help students to improve their standing as university applicants. In the whole scheme of things, twenty hours is not the issue; top schools want students who are committed to making a positive difference in the communities that they belong to. This is seen in students who go beyond the minimum and make a four-year habit of giving back to the community. Below is a list of what you can do to become a top candidate for the college or university of your dreams.

Step   1:  Review the guidelines for acceptable community service.
Step   2:  Decide what you want to do to make a difference.
Step   3:  Contact the organization(s) that you would like to volunteer for.
Step   4:  Obtain pre-approval for the services you will offer using the pre-approval form.
Step   5:  Serve and fill in the verification form indicating the services rendered and how it
               impacted life.
Step   6:  Have the activity sponsor sign your form.
Step   7:  Obtain a letter on organization letterhead stating dates and times of service as
               well as reference information on what you did and how well you did it.
Step   8:  Return the form and a copy of the letter to the guidance office for approval.
Step   9:  You are approved and hours are posted to the transcript.
Step 10:  Repeat steps one through nine.

While every student graduating in 2010 and beyond is required to complete twenty hours of service, we encourage you to go beyond the minimum and become a lifelong servant. You won’t regret it.

Below, you will find a list of points to remember when you plan your personal community service. If a situation falls outside of these guidelines, seek approval before completing the service. Remember, it is about becoming a community-minded individual, not making a name for yourself or building yourself up. Serve not because ICS requires 20 hours serve because you care about the world you live in.

Do’s

• Contact organizations on the approved organization list.
• Complete a variety of community-minded activities.
• Offer service throughout your time in high school.
• Allow humility to be your guide.
• Allow yourself to grow and stretch as you serve.

Don’ts

• Ask a family member to be your supervisor.
• Receive payment for services rendered.
• Offer services to a for-profit organization.
• Delay starting on this.
• Take time off of school to serve.

For complete guidelines and a list of organizations in Thailand, check out the Community service handbook on this website.

The personal community service list of approved organizations is not by any means an exhaustive list of every place that you can volunteer. If you find another organization to work for and would like it added to our list for others’ benefit, please contact Mr. Rebel, Ms. Jes or Ms. Kristi with the detailed information.