Our Policies

At IAS Warsaw, our policies reflect who we are: a close-knit school community built on trust, respect, and genuine care for every student. Below is a summary of the key policies that guide daily life at our school. Full policy documents are available upon request.

Attendance

We expect students to attend school every day. Consistent attendance is essential to academic progress and to building the relationships that make our community strong.

Parents should notify the school before or on the morning of a student’s first day of absence by emailing [email protected]. All attendance is recorded through our Vulcan eRegister.

If a student’s attendance drops below 80%, the homeroom teacher will reach out to arrange a meeting and put a plan in place together. Students who fall below 70% attendance may not be promoted to the next grade level. In cases where extended absence is unavoidable, families can apply for a Special Circumstances Agreement.

Mobile Technology

Our approach to devices varies by age, because what works for a teenager does not work for a seven-year-old.

Grades K through 4 (Dembego 12 campus) Electronic devices are not permitted during the school day.

Grades 5 through 12 (Dembego 18 campus) Teachers may invite students to use devices as part of a lesson. When devices are not in use, they go into phone pockets, not on the desk. Students may use personal devices during the main lunch break and the afternoon snack break only.

Students in Grades 9 through 12 are required to bring a tablet or laptop (not a phone) for technology lessons.

During exams, any electronic device found on a student is treated as a case of academic dishonesty and escalated accordingly.

Behaviour and Community Conduct

Our behaviour policy is grounded in the IB Learner Profile and centres on building character, not just managing rules. We use a Positive Behaviour Support approach, including regular Morning Meetings in the younger grades, to help students develop self-awareness and responsibility.

When issues arise, we follow a three-stage process:

Stage 1: The classroom teacher addresses the situation directly with the student.

Stage 2: The homeroom teacher steps in with additional support, parent communication, and a plan for improvement.

Stage 3: The administration becomes involved. This may include a Behaviour Improvement Plan, in-school suspension, or in serious cases, further consequences up to and including expulsion.

Our goal is always to guide students back on track through conversation and support before resorting to formal consequences.

Academic Integrity

As an IB World School, we hold academic honesty in high regard. Students learn from an early age to credit the work of others, think independently, and take pride in their own ideas.

From Grade 6 onward, students and parents sign an Academic Integrity Pledge. We use the MLA referencing style across Middle and High School, and Turnitin is used for external assessment work.

Our policy specifically addresses the use of artificial intelligence tools. Students are expected to use AI ethically, with transparency and within the boundaries set by their teachers. Misuse of AI is treated as academic misconduct.

Language

English is the primary language of instruction. Within our IB framework, students also study Polish Language and Literature and can choose French or Spanish as an additional language.

Students who are still developing their English proficiency receive dedicated EAL (English as an Additional Language) support. In the early phases of language development, students receive narrative feedback rather than formal grades, so they can focus on building confidence and fluency.

We actively encourage students to maintain and develop their mother tongue. Polish nationals and students with two or more years of Polish education follow the Polish Language and Literature programme.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

The safety and wellbeing of our students comes first. Our safeguarding policies comply with Polish law and are guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

All staff, interns, and volunteers undergo criminal record and background checks before working with students. We maintain clear professional relationship standards and train our team to recognise and respond to any concerns about a child’s welfare.

Pastoral Care

Every student at IAS has two homeroom teachers, one from the Polish programme and one from the international programme, along with access to our School Counsellor. A school nurse is also on campus throughout the day.

Our pastoral approach is built around three elements: individual casework when a student needs support, a pastoral curriculum that develops social and emotional skills, and pastoral oversight to monitor attendance, wellbeing, and engagement. Staff across all year groups work closely together to make sure no student falls through the cracks.

Student Mobility and Safety

How much independence a student has on campus depends on their age.

Grades K through 4: Students are supervised by staff at all times on the Dembego 12 campus.

Grades 5 and 6: Students remain under staff supervision at the Dembego 18 campus and may not leave the building without a staff member.

Grades 7 through 10: Students stay on campus from arrival to dismissal. With written parental consent, they may visit nearby shops during the lunch break.

Grades 11 and 12: Students may move between designated teaching spaces and, with parental consent, visit shops during lunch.

Our buildings operate a buzzer entry system between 8:40 AM and 3:00 PM to control access throughout the school day.

Additional Educational Needs

Diversity in learning is a strength. Our team includes a pedagogue, psychologist, pedagogical therapist, and speech therapist who work alongside classroom teachers to identify and support students with additional needs.

When a concern is raised, our specialists assess the student and, if needed, coordinate a referral to the local Poradnia Psychologiczno-Pedagogiczna. Students with a formal orzeczenie receive an individualised educational plan (IPET) and may benefit from co-teaching support in the classroom.

We also run dedicated EAL and PAL (Polish as an Additional Language) programmes to support students who are building proficiency in either language.

For full policy documents, please contact the school office or speak with your child’s homeroom teacher.