Bilingual Schools in Astana: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: what bilingual school options are there in Astana? Astana offers English-medium international schools such as Haileybury, Miras and QSI, and trilingual schools teaching in Kazakh, Russian and English, including Nazarbayev Intellectual School. Private international fees range roughly from KZT 4 million to KZT 16 million a year, depending on age and school.

Last reviewed: September 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Astana is a young capital with a very international outlook. Diplomats, energy and mining professionals, consultants and staff of the Astana International Financial Centre bring a steady flow of families to the city. For them, bilingual schools in Astana are more than a convenience: they are a way for children to keep English strong while living in a country where Kazakh and Russian are part of everyday life. This guide explains how language works in Kazakh schools, compares five options and sets out realistic fees.

Astana at a glance for families

The city has changed names several times. It was called Astana from 1998, renamed Nur-Sultan in 2019 and returned to Astana in September 2022. Since 1 March 2024 the whole of Kazakhstan runs on a single time zone, UTC+5, which makes calls and online classes with Europe a little easier than before.

The Ishim River divides the city into two parts. The right bank holds the older centre and many established neighbourhoods, while the left bank is home to the government district, the Baiterek tower, the Expo 2017 area and many newer residential complexes where expatriate families live. Winters are long and very cold, often below minus 20°C, so a short, sheltered school run is worth a lot. Most families choose a home close to school and rely on school buses or drivers.

How languages work in Kazakh schools

Kazakh is the state language, and Russian is widely used in business and daily life. English has been promoted for more than a decade through the national policy of trilingual education, which aims for students to become proficient in Kazakh, Russian and English. In practice, families in Astana choose between:

English-medium international schools following the IB, British or American programmes, with Kazakh and Russian taught as subjects.
Trilingual schools that teach some subjects in Kazakh, some in Russian and some in English, especially in the senior years.
State schools teaching in Kazakh or Russian, with English as a foreign language.

Five Astana schools compared

Haileybury Astana

Haileybury Astana is the sister school of Haileybury in England and follows a British curriculum to IGCSE and A Levels. Teaching is in English, with Kazakh and Russian as subjects. It is often the first choice for British families and for local families aiming at universities in the UK.

Miras International School

Miras International School is an IB World School offering IB programmes, with a strong academic reputation in Kazakhstan. It combines English-medium teaching with serious attention to Kazakh and Russian, making it a genuine multilingual option.

QSI International School of Astana

QSI Astana is part of the non-profit Quality Schools International network. It follows an American-style, mastery-based approach in English and generally has smaller classes. It suits diplomatic and North American families and those who may move to another QSI school later.

NURORDA International School

NURORDA International School combines the Kazakh national programme with a strong English component. It is a useful option for mixed Kazakh and international families who want children to stay connected with the national system.

Nazarbayev Intellectual School

Nazarbayev Intellectual School belongs to a national network of selective schools that pioneered trilingual teaching in Kazakhstan. Admission is competitive and mostly aimed at Kazakh citizens, but it shows how seriously the country has invested in multilingual education.

Fees in Astana

Indicative annual tuition at private international schools, in Kazakh tenge:

Early years: roughly KZT 4 million to KZT 9 million.
Primary: roughly KZT 6 million to KZT 12 million.
Secondary and pre-university: roughly KZT 8 million to KZT 16 million.

Some schools quote fees in US dollars or link them to the exchange rate, so check which currency your invoice will use. Extras include:

Application and entrance assessment fees.
One-off enrolment or development fee.
Meals and school bus, which are widely used in winter.
Uniforms, winter clothing, devices and exam fees for IGCSE, A Levels or the IB.

Many international employers cover part or all of the fees, so check your package first.

Practical tips for families

Ask how much Kazakh and Russian your child will learn. Even in English-medium schools, some local language makes daily life easier. Ask about beginner groups and whether native speakers learn separately.

Plan for winter. Check how the school handles extreme cold days, when classes may be cancelled or moved online, and whether indoor sports facilities are good enough for the long winter.

Apply early for popular year groups. Places at the leading international schools fill up, especially in early years and at the start of secondary. Contact schools as soon as your move is confirmed.

Choosing between English-medium and trilingual schools

The right model depends mostly on your family's plans. If you expect to stay two or three years before moving to another country, an English-medium international school keeps your child's education portable, with qualifications that universities worldwide recognise. The local languages become a valuable bonus rather than the core of the timetable.

If your family has Kazakh roots, or you expect to stay many years, a trilingual or national-programme school helps your child become truly at home in the country. Children who learn Kazakh and Russian well alongside English have a real advantage in Central Asia, where both languages open doors in business, government and daily life.

Some families combine the two approaches: an English-medium school during the week and private Kazakh or Russian tutoring at home. Ask schools whether they can recommend tutors and whether language clubs are offered after school.

Questions to ask on a school visit

Which accreditations does the school hold, and which exams do students sit?
How many teachers are native English speakers, and how long do they usually stay?
What support is there for children arriving with little English, Kazakh or Russian?
Where did recent graduates go to university?

Compare schools in Astana

Our ranking brings together verified school profiles and parent reviews for the capital: see the best schools in Astana.

More guides to schools in Astana

Frequently asked questions

Do international schools in Astana teach Kazakh and Russian?

Yes. English-medium international schools in Astana usually teach Kazakh and often Russian as subjects, with separate groups for native speakers and beginners. Trilingual schools go further and teach some subjects in each language. Ask each school how many hours a week are spent on each language.

How much do bilingual and international schools in Astana cost?

Private international tuition ranges roughly from KZT 4 million a year for early years to about KZT 16 million for the senior years. Some schools quote in dollars or index fees to the exchange rate. Add enrolment, meals, bus and exam fees, and check whether your employer covers part of the cost.

Is Astana a good city for expat families?

Many families enjoy Astana's modern housing, safety, parks and growing international community. The main challenge is the long, very cold winter, so a home close to school and good indoor activities matter. The international schools are well established, and the city is easy to reach from Europe and Asia.