Cities / Almaty / Tien Shan International School
Tien Shan International School
A small, not-for-profit Christian school in the Karasai district south of Almaty, founded in 1995 and operating K-12 with CIS and ASIC accreditation. Class sizes average 15 students, and fees are available on request.
In brief
Small American-curriculum K to 12 school founded in 1995 by expat families, teaching in English with an explicit Christian worldview. Around 170 students.
AP and SAT pathway with university placements across the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. ACSI and MSA-CESS accredited. Member of the Association of Christian Schools International, which is the defining feature for both the families it attracts and those who rule it out.
Fees sit in the lower band for Almaty international schools, roughly 2.3 to 5.6 million KZT, reflecting the small scale and faith-based mission rather than a premium-resourced model. The right fit for missionary, NGO and faith-aligned expat families who want a values-explicit American education and tight community. Not the right fit for families who want a secular, internationally branded school.
Reviews
- Local review signal is mostly positive but light on detail. Comments mention kind people, hospitality, a full educational programme, and opportunities in sport and the arts.
- A separate former-staff accountability site raises serious safeguarding and leadership allegations. It presents documents and timelines from former teachers, so the concern is material, but it is not the same as a broad parent-review pool.
- The overall signal is split between a small set of positive local comments and a detailed negative former-staff account. Families should read that as polarised public signal rather than a simple reputation picture.
Head of school
Christine Wicker
Christine Wicker is the current Director of Tien Shan International School. She has been involved in school leadership during a period focused on organizational development and child safety initiatives. Her professional background includes significant experience in communications and advocacy, and she has recently overseen the implementation of updated child safety handbooks and community engagement strategies at the school.
Accreditations
- Association of Christian Schools International 01
- Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools 02
Academic results
- Accreditation CIS, ASIC
- Leaving qualifications Advanced Academic Diploma, General Academic Diploma
Location
Karasai District, Raimbek Rural District, South of Village Dolan, Almaty Region 040922, Kazakhstan