Almaty International School vs Kazakh Elite School Zaman

	A Almaty International School Almaty, Kazakhstan	K Kazakh Elite School Zaman Almaty, Kazakhstan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KZT 3,563,827 - 12,204,890	Fees / year KZT 5,300,000 - 6,800,000
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 6 - 17 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP), Singapore Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 450	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 6	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language Kazakh, English
Opened	Opened 1993	Opened 2007
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Almaty International School is located at 185 Baiken Ashimov Street, Kalkaman 2 Micro-District, Nauryzbay District, Almaty, Kazakhstan 050006. The address places it in the Kalkaman area of Almaty and is accessible by road. The campus serves preschool through Secondary IV (Pre-K through 12).	Location Almaty, Kazakhstan. Address: Kargaly district, Kenesary Khan street 56/1. The school is located in Almaty and serves local families and international students.
Stages	Stages Preschool through Secondary IV (Pre-K through 12)	Stages Primary (Grades 1-4) – IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Middle/High (Grades 5-11) – IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP).
School type	School type Private, nonprofit international school	School type —
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix The student body represents over 32 nationalities	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Zaman School has an Inclusive Education policy to support all students, including those with Special Educational Needs. The school identifies students with additional learning needs and provides learning support through an Inclusive Education Coordinator and dedicated processes. Language support is provided for Kazakh, Russian and English, including English as an Additional Language (EAL).
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Affiliated with the United States Department of State Office of Overseas Schools	Country affiliation Kazakhstan
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Delivery is paid separately; ₸60,000–₸70,000 per month.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Admission fee - No publicly posted, itemised application or one-off admission fee amount was available in the school's published 2025–2026 enrollment materials. Parents should expect that a non‑refundable application or admission charge may exist and that payment is typically required at enrollment; the school's admissions materials and student handbook describe the admissions steps but do not list a specific fee amount. Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts) - Pre‑K (half‑day): USD 7,300. - Pre‑K (full‑day): USD 8,800. - Grades K–12 (annual): USD 25,000. Note: per‑term (installment) breakdowns for these tuition figures were not published in the school materials accessible for 2025–2026; the annual figures above are the published annual amounts. Billing schedule and payment terms - Lunch program: payments are made in advance on a monthly basis; lunch payments can be made in cash or by card (Visa, MasterCard) at the school office. Company payments for lunches may be paid by wire transfer for a minimum of five months at a time. - Bus/transportation: the annual transportation fee is USD 2,200. The transportation fee may be paid for the whole year, by term, or by month (the school describes this service as flexible). - Withdrawal and outstanding balances: families are required to give written notice when withdrawing a student (two weeks' notice is requested). Final school records, transcripts and diplomas will not be released while tuition or other school charges remain outstanding. Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered. Almaty International School operates as a day school; no boarding fee schedule is published. Other costs and recurring charges - Lunch: KZT 2,400 per day (monthly payment required); snack (where offered) KZT 420 per day. Payments accepted in cash or by card (Visa, MasterCard) at the school office; company payments by wire transfer are accepted for multi‑month prepayment. - Summer camp: Intensive English Camp KZT 75,000 per week (9:00–13:00); Summer Fun Camp KZT 70,000 per week (9:00–16:00) with an optional additional weekly KZT 22,000 to include snack and lunch. - Transportation: annual fee USD 2,200 (see billing schedule entry above). - Examination fees: externally graded exams (for example AP exams) incur additional exam fees charged to students. - Items explicitly noted as not included in standard tuition: sports uniforms, books, voluntary trip fees (field trips), campus spirit shop and student centre charges, lunch (unless purchased), week‑without‑walls trips, and summer camp. - Sibling discounts or other concessions: no specific public schedule for sibling discounts or fee waivers was published in the materials reviewed. Refund information and early withdrawal - Withdrawal procedure: the school requests two weeks' written notice of withdrawal. Credit for work and issuance of records follow the school's academic and administrative policy; families with outstanding tuition or other unpaid charges will not receive final documentation until accounts are cleared. The student handbook and admissions material set out withdrawal steps but do not publish a separate, detailed refundable / prorated tuition refund table in the publicly available 2025–2026 packet. Fee payment options (methods explicitly stated) - Lunch payments: cash or card (Visa, MasterCard) in the school office; company payments by wire transfer (in KZT) are accepted for multi‑month prepayments. - Transportation payments: described as payable annually, by term, or by month; specific payment methods for the transportation fee are not itemised on the transportation page. - General tuition and other school charges: the school's publicly available admissions and student handbook materials do not publish a full list of accepted payment methods for tuition (for example, card, bank transfer details or online payment portal). For payments related to the lunch program, the school accepts Visa and MasterCard; parents should coordinate directly with the school finance office for tuition payment methods and bank details. Concise summary of findings and outstanding items - Confirmed and published items (2025–2026 materials): annual tuition headline figures (Pre‑K and K–12), the annual transportation fee (USD 2,200), lunch pricing and payment methods, summer camp weekly fees, and the list of charges that are not included in tuition. - Not published in the publicly available 2025–2026 enrollment materials reviewed: an itemised application/admission fee amount; a per‑term tuition breakdown (exact term instalment amounts derived from the annual fee); a detailed tuition payment policy listing all accepted payment channels for tuition (full bank details, online portal or card processing for tuition); and a formal, published refund/proration table for early withdrawal. These items were therefore not available to set out as fixed figures or formal policy text in this summary. If you require the specific per‑term tuition instalments, an exact application/admission fee amount, or the school's bank details and formal refund/proration table for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 year, those items will need to be obtained from the school's admissions or finance office; the school's admissions page, student‑parent handbook and service pages are the documents consulted for this summary.	Fee details Application / entry fee - Entry fee: equal to one month's tuition (one-time, non-refundable). Tuition (listed as monthly amounts) — by year group - Grades 1–4: ₸ 400,000 per month. Per 5-month term: ₸ 2,000,000. Per 10-month school year: ₸ 4,000,000. - Grades 5–7: ₸ 430,000 per month. Per 5-month term: ₸ 2,150,000. Per 10-month school year: ₸ 4,300,000. - Grades 8–9: ₸ 450,000 per month. Per 5-month term: ₸ 2,250,000. Per 10-month school year: ₸ 4,500,000. - Grades 10–11: ₸ 470,000 per month. Per 5-month term: ₸ 2,350,000. Per 10-month school year: ₸ 4,700,000. - DP (IB Diploma Programme): ₸ 500,000 per month. Per 5-month term: ₸ 2,500,000. Per 10-month school year: ₸ 5,000,000. - Advanced English (1st grade): ₸ 450,000 per month. Per 5-month term: ₸ 2,250,000. Per 10-month school year: ₸ 4,500,000. Additional recurring costs (specified separately) - Meals: ₸ 70,000 per month for full school catering (four meals per day). Per 5-month term: ₸ 350,000. Per 10-month school year: ₸ 700,000. Meals are billed separately from tuition. - Student transport (delivery): ₸ 60,000–70,000 per month depending on route. Per 5-month term: ₸ 300,000–350,000. Per 10-month school year: ₸ 600,000–700,000. Transport is billed separately from tuition. Other costs - School uniform: a required, school-branded uniform is provided/designed for students (no price listed on the uniform page). Specific uniform items and purchase/price arrangements are managed by the school. - Extracurricular activities, special courses, exam fees (e.g., AP/IB external exam fees) and optional services: charges may apply in addition to tuition; these are not itemised on the published price page. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is presented as a monthly rate. The school publishes staged payment instructions for tuition and for food (payment-stage guidance is provided). For planning, common breakdowns use school terms and the academic calendar. The school's academic calendar and payment-stage guidance set the billing periods. Per-term and per-year totals above use a 5-month term / 10-month academic year basis consistent with the school calendar presentation. - Meals and transport are billed separately from tuition and are charged on a monthly basis as shown above. - Entry fee is paid at enrolment and is one month's tuition (one-time, non-refundable). Refund information - The entry fee is one-time and non-refundable. There is no separate published tuition refund policy on the fees page. Any refund conditions for tuition or other charges would be covered by the school's contractual terms and internal policies. Fee payment options - The school provides staged payment instructions and explicitly publishes a payments page that references Kaspi payment processing (Kaspi payment guidance is available). Bank-transfer payment details are provided on the site's banking information sections. Accepted payment channels therefore include the Kaspi payment system and bank transfer (school banking details are published in the bank details section). For exactly how to submit payments (online Kaspi, bank transfer, or other channels) follow the school's payment-stage instructions. Summary (quick reference) - Monthly tuition (selected): Grades 1–4 ₸ 400,000; Grades 5–7 ₸ 430,000; Grades 8–9 ₸ 450,000; Grades 10–11 ₸ 470,000; DP ₸ 500,000. Meals ₸ 70,000/month; transport ₸ 60,000–70,000/month. Entry fee = one month's tuition (non-refundable). Per-term and per-year totals calculated above assume 5-month terms and a 10-month academic year as reflected in the school calendar.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school has mastery learning with an American curriculum. English is the language of instruction. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered, including the AP Capstone Diploma Program. AP Capstone requires completing AP Seminar and AP Research with a 3 or better along with four other AP exams. The curriculum includes Russian and Kazakh language and culture. After-school activities, music, and sports programs are available.	Curriculum details IB programmes across PYP, MYP, and DP. The MYP is delivered to students in grades 5–9 with an emphasis on inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning and global perspectives. Personal Project and Community Project are key components of the MYP, with 8th-grade students undertaking the Community Project. The Diploma Programme (DP) provides six subject groups plus the DP core (TOK, EE, CAS) and is authorized to be implemented for Grades 10–11 starting in the 2025–2026 academic year; AP electives are available for students on the national curriculum track. The ZAMAN component adds proprietary, values-based, project-based learning with small class sizes and personalized support, including courses such as Family institution, Leadership, Financial literacy, Drama, News analytics, and Kazakh national traditions. A Singaporean science and mathematics pathway is also part of the curriculum.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio The school has about 400 students and 64 teachers (48 full-time foreign teachers and 16 language teachers), yielding a student-teacher ratio of about 6:1.	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results In 2020-2021, 58 students were enrolled in AP courses and 87 AP exams were taken. The mean AP score was 3.1, with 73% of scores at 3 or higher. AIS offers the AP Capstone Diploma, awarded to students who complete AP Seminar and AP Research with a grade of 3 or better along with four other AP exams.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduate SAT data for 2020-2021 shows a mean composite of 1273, with Critical Reading 620 and Mathematics 671. Recent AIS graduates have gained admission to universities in the United States and abroad, including Harvard University, Northwestern University, University of California Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, Amherst College, Brown University, Johns Hopkins University, MIT, and New York University.	Higher education progression Graduates pursue higher education at Kazakhstan-based and international universities. Notable destinations include KIMEP University, Almaty Management University, Kazakh National Medical University, and the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom. Other destinations include De Montfort University in the United Kingdom, the University of Twente in the Netherlands, and The Aldo Galli Academy in Italy.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented The school provides IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP) and AP courses, together with proprietary courses under its ZAMAN component. Small class sizes and personalized instruction support individualized learning, with project-based and values-based approaches. Proprietary courses include Family institution, Leadership, Financial literacy, Drama, News analytics, and Kazakh national traditions.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions STEP 1: Schedule a School Tour. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and admission is based on space availability. To visit the campus, schedule a Tour. STEP 2: Submit Application Form. Access the application form on OpenApply. An OpenApply Tutorial is available to help families complete the form. STEP 3: Submit Documents. Documents are uploaded into OpenApply in PDF format and include a passport-sized photo, copy of Passport, copies of school records from the last two years, and copies of secondary transcripts for students 14 years old and older. You will need to bring hard copies of the following on the first day of school: Medical Form #052-2/y (Health Passport) and Medical Form #065/y (formerly 063/y). STEP 4: Take a Placement Test. Schedule a time to take the placement test and sit for an interview with the Director of Instruction. The MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) computer-based test provides placement data for Reading, Mathematics, and Language Usage, all in English. Students ages 8 and older also complete a written essay. Results from the MAP tests are one factor in determining readiness and placement. STEP 5: First Day of School. A buddy helps new students adjust during the first days. Parents receive weekly AIS newsletters to stay connected to the school community and engage in the Parent Support Group.	Admissions 1. Parents receive information about Zaman School, its programs, and the fees. The Admissions Officer provides this information and answers initial questions. The school uses Kazakh and English as the main languages of instruction and follows IB principles in its curriculum. This step establishes the groundwork for applicants and families. 2. Parents make an appointment to arrange a school visit. The Admissions Officer schedules the visit and coordinates the arrangement. The visit allows the family to experience the school environment and meet staff as needed. 3. Parents complete the Student Information Admissions Form and agree on the date of testing. The Admissions Officer oversees this step and confirms testing arrangements. The form collects essential student information for the admissions review. 4. Parent and student meet with the PS/SS Principal and/or Vice–Principal (as necessary). The meeting discusses candidacy, school expectations, and any questions about the admissions process. The Principal or Vice–Principal participates to assess fit and next steps. 5. A student sits for the admission test. The testing session covers relevant subjects to evaluate readiness. The Admissions Officer, along with the Principal or Vice–Principal, oversees the test administration. 6. Review of admission test results and student records. The admissions team examines test scores and prior school records. This review informs whether the applicant meets the program's entry requirements. 7. Assessment by the school psychologist and SEN specialist if social or learning needs identified. If any needs are identified, specialists conduct an evaluation to determine appropriate supports. The school coordinates with families about any recommended accommodations or services. 8. The final decision on enrollment or refusal is made. The PS/SS Principal or Vice–Principal, in consultation with the Head of School, renders the final enrollment decision. The decision is based on test results, records, and any specialist assessments. 9. Parents are informed of the decision within 3 working days after the test. The Admissions Officer communicates the outcome to the family. If admitted, next steps for enrollment are outlined. 10. If a child has been enrolled, parents submit a Confirmation Form and all relevant documents according to the list. The admissions process concludes with document submission and confirmation of enrollment. The school coordinates any remaining requirements for start dates and registration. 11. Parents get acquainted with school policies and regulations. Families review school policies and regulations as part of onboarding. This step helps ensure understanding of expectations and governance. 12. Parents sign the Agreement for Studies and make payment of entrance and tuition fees. The agreement formalizes enrollment, and financial arrangements are completed. Receipt of payments and the enrollment formalities finalize the admissions journey.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Waiting list: If a student meets entrance requirements but no place is available, the student can be placed on a waiting list. Entrance test results may be accepted for admission decision within one semester. If performance is lower, the student may retake the admission test no earlier than two months after the previous attempt. At the start of the academic year, families with a student on the waiting list as of October 5 will be asked whether they wish to remain on the waiting list.
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