Tien Shan International School
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$5K - US$12K
Curriculum: American · AP · SAT
Age Range: 5-18
Students: ~150
Location: Other Almaty, Almaty
Updated April 2026
In Brief
Tien Shan suits a specific family: internationally mobile, values-oriented, comfortable with a small community and a semi-rural location south of the city, and not needing IB or A-Levels for the university pathway. If you are on a US government or mission posting, or if very small classes and a family school feel matter more than brand prestige, it is worth a visit.
Tien Shan International School is in a different part of Almaty from everything else on this list - physically and in character. It sits in the Karasai district, south of the city in the Raimbek rural area near the village of Dolan. At around 150 students across K-12, it is the smallest of Almaty's international schools and has the feel of a community institution rather than a market-facing school. Founded in 1995 as a Christian not-for-profit, it holds CIS and ASIC accreditation and has run for three decades without significant gaps.
The curriculum is American and AP-based, with SAT testing on-site. Leaving qualifications include the Advanced Academic Diploma and General Academic Diploma. Class sizes average 15 and are capped at 20, meaning teachers know your child as an individual quickly. Extracurriculars include orchestra, choir, drama, speech, yearbook, and technology clubs, with sports teams competing in external competitions. Principal Hans Fung leads the school. Entry requires an English test and a MAP test assessment; the school is not academically selective beyond English proficiency.
The location is the main trade-off. Families living near Al-Farabi, Medeu, or the Bostandyk microdistricts will face a 30 to 45 minute drive each way on a good day. There is no school bus service and no school-provided lunch, so logistics need planning. Fees are not published online and must be requested directly - budget for something in the US$5K to US$12K range based on comparable schools. The school does not appear on most Almaty ranking lists, which reflects its niche positioning rather than its quality.
What parents value
- –Genuinely small classes - 15 on average, 20 maximum - across all year groups. In a city where several schools run 22 to 25 per class, that distinction is real and felt daily.
- –CIS and ASIC accreditation, AP courses, and SAT testing on-site. The American pathway to US colleges is intact and does not require leaving the school for any external test or qualification.
- –Three decades of operation as a not-for-profit community school, with strong continuity for families who need to stay in Kazakhstan longer than initially planned.
Points of consideration
- –The Karasai district location is a genuine commitment. Confirm your home or work address relative to the school before visiting; for families living north of Al-Farabi, the commute is significant and there is no school transport.
- –Fees are not published and must be requested directly from the school. We could not confirm current tuition rates; allow time for this in your shortlisting process.
- –The school does not offer IB or A-Levels. If your child may transfer to a school requiring IB entry or IGCSE results, check transfer credit compatibility before enrolling.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| All grades | 5-18 | NaN |
Fees converted from KZT. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Academic Results
| Accreditation | CIS, ASIC |
| Leaving qualifications | Advanced Academic Diploma, General Academic Diploma |
Key results: Accreditation CIS, ASIC, Leaving qualifications Advanced Academic Diploma, General Academic 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.