Frequently Asked Questions

The International School Wellness Survey is a research-based student wellbeing survey designed specifically for international school communities. It gives schools a detailed, data-informed picture of how their students are doing, benchmarked against peer international schools worldwide.

The survey looks at three main dimensions of the student experience: Health, Wellness, and Belonging. Specifically, the survey measures the following areas:

• Belonging & Support
• Cultural Navigation
• Engagement & Interest
• Safety & School Climate
• Tech & Screen Time
• Home & Family
• Health & Wellness
• How You Feel About Life
• Coping
• About You (Student Demographics)

The survey incorporates established measures, including the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Domain experts with deep experience in international schools contribute to question design, and a research methods specialist reviews the survey for validity and reliability prior to implementation.

The survey is designed specifically for international schools by international school professionals. The survey reflects experiences such as cultural transitions, multiple identities, and living outside one’s passport country. Results are benchmarked against other international schools rather than U.S., U.K., or other national datasets.

The survey is designed for international school students aged 13–19.

Yes. Schools may select which grades or year levels to include within the target age range.

We ask that you offer the survey to all students in participating year levels. Participation is voluntary, and students may opt out at any time without consequence. We recommend a response rate of at least 70% within participating groups to ensure results are representative.

The survey is designed for students accessing a standard curriculum, including those with common accommodations and learning support found in international schools. For students who may require additional support, schools may determine participation on a case-by-case basis.

This version of the survey is English-only to ensure consistency across schools. Multilingual versions are under consideration for future iterations.

As part of the Founding Cohort pilot, participating schools will receive the full survey package at no cost for the September–December 2026 cycle. Schools that choose to administer the survey in future years will transition to standard pricing.

Yes. Students are not asked to provide identifying information, and responses cannot be traced back to individuals.

Data are stored on Typeform, which meets GDPR standards and enterprise-grade security requirements.

Participating schools receive access to their own data. ISWS may use aggregated, anonymized data to generate benchmarks across international schools.

No. Because the survey is anonymous, individual responses cannot be identified or shared.

ISWS uses AI selectively to support data analysis. No school names or identifying details are shared with AI tools. All interpretation and recommendations are led by experienced professionals with an understanding of the unique international school context.

It typically takes 18–25 minutes to complete the survey.

The survey is hosted on Typeform, a GDPR-compliant online platform with enterprise-grade security. No downloads are required.

Schools administer the survey during a designated time such as advisory or homeroom. Students access the survey via a secure link on a laptop or desktop device.

ISWS is designed to be low-lift for busy schools. In most cases, you only need to schedule a survey session and ensure students can access the survey link on their computers.

Schools participating between September–December 2026 will receive their results and executive report by May 2027.

Your school will receive:

• A detailed analysis of your survey data
• An executive summary of key findings
• A personalized video walkthrough
• An ISWS Wellness Blueprint with recommended action steps

The survey reports results at the group level and does not identify individual students. ISWS provides guidance to help schools interpret findings responsibly and prioritize appropriate next steps. Schools retain full control over how results are used and shared within their community.

Yes, schools will have the opportunity to participate in future survey cycles, allowing you to track changes in student wellbeing over time.