International School of Almaty (ISA)
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$6K - US$7K
Curriculum: IB PYP · IB MYP · Kazakh National
Age Range: 5-16
Students: Contact school
Location: Other Almaty, Almaty
Updated April 2026
In Brief
ISA makes sense if you want IB from primary through to Grade 10 and need fees well below KIS or Miras. The dual qualification - IB MYP certificate alongside the Kazakhstani national diploma - is a genuine differentiator for families who may stay in Kazakhstan long-term. Bear in mind it stops at Grade 10, so plan the senior school transfer from day one.
ISA has been running IB programmes on Satpaev Street for over 20 years, making it one of the longest-standing IB schools in the city. It holds IB school ID 001828 and recently passed re-authorisation for both PYP and MYP, which is the most concrete quality signal it can offer. The NNEF Public Foundation runs it - the same foundation behind Miras International School - and the school teaches both the IB curriculum and Kazakhstan's national programme simultaneously. That parallel structure is uncommon in Almaty and means graduates leave with two qualifications rather than one.
The practical profile is: K3 to Grade 10, maximum 20 students per class, fees at KZT 3,100,000 per year for international families (KZT 2,800,000 for CIS citizens), with a one-time non-refundable entrance fee of KZT 450,000. Payment is split 50/50 between August and December, with a five percent discount for full payment by August 15. Sibling discounts of five percent for a second child and 10 percent for a third or more are worth factoring in for larger families. The campus has two computer labs, interactive boards, a track and field, gym, cafeteria, library, and research centre on Satpaev Street, away from the Al-Farabi corridor.
ISA's fee is the most accessible of any IB school in Almaty by a meaningful margin - roughly KZT 2M per year less than Miras at primary level. That gap exists for a reason. No international accreditation body beyond IB authorisation is listed publicly, and there is no published data on class sizes at different grade levels, staffing composition, or university destinations for the 400-plus graduates the school cites. The school stops at Grade 10, which requires every family to plan a senior school move at MYP completion.
What parents value
- –IB PYP and MYP re-authorised, with over two decades of continuous operation. The dual-qualification model - IB MYP certificate plus Kazakhstan's national Attestat - is useful for families keeping options open between local and international universities.
- –Fees are the lowest of any IB school in Almaty at KZT 3,100,000 for international families. Sibling discounts and a split payment schedule reduce the cash-flow burden compared with some competitors.
- –Maximum class size of 20 students is smaller than Haileybury, High Tech Academy, and Miras. At a school of this size and fee level, smaller classes are one of the few tangible quality levers available.
Points of consideration
- –The school ends at Grade 10. Every family enrolling needs a clear plan for Grades 11-12 before starting - ask which senior schools local families typically move to after MYP completion.
- –No published data on university destinations, staffing composition, or external accreditation beyond IB. Ask the school directly for MYP e-Assessment results and where recent Grade 10 graduates have continued their education.
- –Satpaev Street is not on the main international school corridor. Families living near Al-Farabi or Medeu should factor the drive into daily logistics and ask about school transport options.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| K3 - Grade 10 (international/non-CIS) | 5 | NaN |
| K3 - Grade 10 (CIS citizens) | 5 | NaN |
Fees converted from KZT. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entrance Fee (non-refundable) | NaN |
Academic Results
| IB programmes | PYP and MYP (IB school ID 001828) |
| Dual qualification | IB MYP certificate + Kazakhstan national diploma |
Key results: IB programmes PYP and MYP (IB school ID 001828), Dual qualification IB MYP certificate + Kazakhstan national diploma.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's age group.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Almaty's international schools draw a mix of corporate-package families, diplomatic staff, and locally-based families seeking an English-medium education. Contact the school for current enrolment breakdown.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for details.