International School of Almaty vs Kazakh American International School (KAIS)

	I International School of Almaty Almaty, Kazakhstan	Kazakh American International School (KAIS) Almaty, Kazakhstan
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KZT 2,690,000 - 2,770,000	Fees / year KZT 2,430,000 - 3,000,000
Age range	Age range 5 - 18 years	Age range 6 - 19 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), Advanced Placement (AP), BTEC Qualification
Pupils	Pupils 320	Pupils 600
Typical class size	Typical class size 20	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Kazakh, Russian	Instruction language English, Kazakh, Russian
Opened	Opened 2000	Opened 1998
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location KAIS is conveniently located at Toraigyrov Street 43, nestled in an ecologically clean area near the heart of Almaty. Our prime location ensures easy and comfortable access for families commuting across the city.
Stages	Stages —	Stages KAIS provides a comprehensive educational pathway structured across three stages. A student's journey begins in Primary School (Grades 1 to 4), progresses through Secondary School (Grades 5 to 8), and completes in High School (Grades 9 to 11).
School type	School type —	School type KAIS is a co-educational full-day school. It does not offer boarding facilities.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix KAIS proudly welcomes a vibrant and diverse student body. Mirroring the rich multiculturalism of Kazakhstan – a country that cherishes and unites over 130 nationalities – our school deeply values international diversity, fostering an inclusive environment where every global citizen feels at home.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support KAIS provides multi-layered support tailored to each student's academic and emotional journey. Within the classroom, our strict limit of under 21 students allows teachers to focus intensely on individual progression, supporting students as they master each subject. For emotional and developmental well-being, on-site psychologists and speech therapists are available to assist with communication and peer integration. As students advance, support expands to include dedicated SAT and IELTS preparation, alongside our defining Career Navigation Program. This initiative matches high school students with mentors studying at universities who support them with exam preparation and university admissions. KAIS further offers expert college counselling. Our counselors boast 15+ years of global admissions experience and guide the students through university applications, real internship placements, portfolio preparation, and research opportunities in partnership with Kazakh American University.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation While proudly rooted in Kazakhstan, KAIS operates as an independent, globally minded institution. Rather than affiliating with a single foreign country, we offer an international educational experience by integrating the Kazakhstani national curriculum with premier American (AP), British (BTEC and Cambridge English Qualifications), and international (IB PYP) frameworks.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation KAIS does not have any religious affiliation and operates as a secular educational institution.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure The school operates on a full-day schedule, with the educational day running from 8:30 to 18:00. This timeframe includes academic lessons, extracurriculars, club activities, supervised periods for completing homework, and scheduled breaks that include four meals in the school cafeteria.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details KAIS offers a dedicated school delivery service for its students. This transport option provides safe, daily travel from home to the campus and back. Families can utilize this service to assist with managing their daily school commute in Almaty.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Tuition & Enrollment For the 2026/2027 academic year, monthly tuition is KZT 300,000, making KAIS one of the most affordable international schools in Almaty. A one-time enrollment fee of KZT 300,000 is required upon acceptance to secure a student's place. Payment Plans & Discounts Invoices are issued prior to the start of the academic year. Families may choose to pay the annual tuition in full by August, which qualifies for a prepayment discount, or opt for a convenient monthly installment plan. We are also pleased to offer a sibling discount for families with more than one child enrolled. Additional Services To provide flexibility for our families, daily meals and our dedicated school bus service are entirely optional and billed separately.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options KAIS Canteen provides three meals a day for primary and middle school students and two meals a day for high school students. The menu is drawn up with a paediatrician and complies with the Sanitary and Epidemiological Authority (SES) requirements. The canteen has two halls—one for primary and middle school children and another for high school—with a separate area for preschool children.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is a structural division of the Kazakh American University.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details KAIS School follows the obligatory state educational program of Kazakhstan, integrating teaching methods drawn from both Kazakh and American pedagogical science. The academic structure begins with a preschool grade, followed by primary school for grades 1 to 4, basic secondary school for grades 5 to 9, and secondary school for grades 10 to 11. A central feature of the curriculum is its trilingual framework, which introduces English, Kazakh, and Russian in the early years with instructional hours gradually increasing at each subsequent educational stage. As students progress into the upper secondary levels, the academic program differentiates into specialized natural-mathematical and social-humanitarian tracks to focus on specific subject areas. At the conclusion of the 11th grade, students graduate with the official secondary education qualifications of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Optimal class size up to 21 students.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
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 The school is located in an ecologically clean area near the center of Almaty. Optimal class size is up to 21 students. The educational process runs from 8:30 to 16:30 under the supervision of teachers. Safe transportation of children to school and back home is provided.
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 The KAIS School is a structural division of the Kazakh American University and opened in 1998 with 11th grade and two 10th-grade classes, one taught in Russian and the other in English. In 1999, grades 7–11 were opened with English instruction, and in 2000 grades 5–6 were added with Russian instruction and 30% English glossary in the classroom. In 2002 the Primary Educational Complex was created, including a pre-school Rostock, and in 2003 the KAIS School was associated by UNESCO. In 2006 two first grades were adopted with Kazakh instruction; in 2008 the school merged with the PEC; in 2014 state certification was passed as a general education secondary school. In 2016 a contract with the Swiss-American School enabled a second high school diploma; the training model was modernized around 2014–2015; in 2021 maintenance was completed, the building meets global standards, and the school rebranded as the School of Multifaceted Opportunities—KAIS School, with free sports and art programs and extended office-hour study opportunities.
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school organizes a continuous learning process with educational and methodological support in English. It optimizes classroom load by increasing and varying forms of independent work, including teacher-guided tasks. The school emphasizes student responsibility for their own labor and the development of independent thinking, preparing students for study at the Kazakh-American University in English. Gifted students may pursue an individualized educational trajectory.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Sports sections and art classes are provided by the school free of charge or on preferential terms. The arts program supports the development of students' aesthetic talents. Circles and studios are organized in the interests of children to expand, understand, and deepen knowledge beyond the lessons.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The school prepares students for training at the Kazakh-American University in English. The mission emphasizes forming independent thinking and motivation for learning with English-language preparation. The school aims to provide a continuous learning process and educational support in English.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Circles and studios are organized in the interests of children to expand, understand, and deepen knowledge beyond the lessons. Circle work has educational and developmental value. One of the ways to optimize the educational process and the full development of the child's personality is to organize circles and studios in the interests of children.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The school discloses the potential and personal qualities of the students and develops motivation for learning. It fosters independent thinking and the ability to freely express oneself, to be responsible in relation to others, and to cooperate. The school prepares highly educated students capable of continuing their studies at prestigious universities in Kazakhstan and abroad. Gifted students may engage in an individualized educational trajectory.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school is located in an ecologically clean area near the center of Almaty. The educational day runs from 8:30 to 16:30 under the supervision of teachers. Sports sections and art classes are provided by the school, supporting physical and mental wellbeing. The classroom environment emphasizes comfort, friendliness, and mutual assistance.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision The school has used English, Russian, and Kazakh in instruction at different times. English instruction was present from 1999 for grades 7–11, with 30% English glossary in Russian classrooms in 2000. Kazakh instruction began in 2006. The mission emphasizes aligning the educational process with international standards and preparing students for English-language study at the Kazakh American University.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching English and Russian have been used as languages of instruction at KAIS School. English was used for grades 7–11 starting in 1999. In 2000, Russian-language classrooms included 30% English glossary. Kazakh instruction began in 2006.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs The school offered the opportunity to attend language courses in the United Kingdom.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions The admissions journey begins with families scheduling a personal interview for their child. Following the interview, students complete English and Mathematics proficiency assessments on our custom-built, digital testing platform. To ensure every student thrives, our admissions team carefully evaluates both the interview insights and test results to offer the most supportive placement – either in our full English-immersion curriculum or our blended mixed-language classes.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships KAIS focuses on keeping our baseline tuition affordable. While we do not offer full scholarships at this time, we are fully committed to supporting families through multi-child sibling discounts, flexible installment plans, and prepayment incentives. This structure allows us to ensure a world-class education – providing an exceptionally diverse international curricula and growing student leadership programs – while remaining the core fees affordable.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist The KAIS does not provide specific information regarding the operation of a formal waitlist or pool system.
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