Cities / Almaty / International School of Almaty (ISA)
International School of Almaty (ISA)
A bilingual IB school operated by the Nazarbayev Educational Foundation, integrating the Kazakh state curriculum with IB PYP and MYP. Aimed primarily at Kazakh families seeking an international layer rather than the full expat circuit.
In brief
A bilingual IB school operated by the Nazarbayev Educational Foundation, integrating the Kazakh state curriculum with IB PYP and MYP. Aimed primarily at Kazakh families seeking an international layer rather than the full expat circuit.
The first school in Kazakhstan authorised for IB MYP, back in 2000, with PYP added in 2012. UNESCO Associated School since 2017. Curriculum runs in parallel streams so children can earn the Kazakh state certificate while also working through IB.
Fees are notably lower than KIS, Haileybury or Miras, around 2.8 to 3.1 million KZT, which reflects the local-family orientation. There is no IB Diploma at upper secondary, so older students typically continue elsewhere or sit national exams. Strongest fit for families committed to Kazakh-medium grounding alongside English.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| K3 - Grade 10 (CIS citizens) | 5 | KZT 2,800,000 |
| K3 - Grade 10 (international/non-CIS) | 5 | KZT 3,100,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance Fee (non-refundable) | KZT 450,000 |
Reviews
Kazakhstan's first IB-authorised school, running PYP and MYP alongside the national curriculum so leavers carry both an IB MYP certificate and the Kazakhstani diploma. Programme stops at Grade 10, so the senior-school move sits on the family from the start. Parents talk warmly about the teachers and the leadership team under Irina Loginova, and praise the multilingual load and the breadth of drama, debate and chess woven into the timetable. Discipline is firm by reputation. Food in the canteen draws repeat praise, with the odd dissenting voice.
Positives
- IB pedigree and dual qualification. PYP and MYP authorised since 2000, paired with the Kazakhstani national diploma. The dual exit suits families planning to stay in country as well as those heading overseas.
- Teachers and leadership. Long-tenure staff, IB-certified, named warmly in parent comments. Irina Loginova and her deputy come up by name in recent feedback.
- Languages and co-curricular breadth. English-heavy timetable from early years, French alongside, optional Arabic and Latin further up. Drama, debate, chess and dance treated as core rather than extras.
- Pastoral feel. Small-community register. Overnight retreats, film and theatre clubs, and morning tutoring slots come up repeatedly in alumni accounts.
Considerations
- Programme stops at Grade 10. No IB Diploma on offer. The route ends at MYP, so a senior-school transfer is built in, either elsewhere in Almaty or overseas.
- Discipline register. Alumni describe the school as firm rather than coddling, with expulsions used for serious misconduct. Reads as a positive to some families and a flag to others.
- Scattered sharp complaints. A small cluster of sharply negative voices runs against an otherwise warm picture: one serious safeguarding allegation, occasional grumbles about canteen quality, and a comment-moderation grievance. Isolated rather than patterned.
Leadership
Irina Loginova
Irina Loginova has been leading the International School of Almaty for over 20 years, fostering a community of respect, tolerance, and personal responsibility among students and staff. She emphasizes the importance of a high-quality educational environment for the comprehensive development of each student.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
Academic results
- IB programmes PYP and MYP (IB school ID 001828)
- Dual qualification IB MYP certificate + Kazakhstan national diploma