Best International Schools in Bishkek: 2026 Guide for Families

Quick answer: What are the best international schools in Bishkek? Four schools lead most expat shortlists: Bishkek International School (IB and IGCSE), QSI International School of Bishkek (American), Oxford International School (IGCSE and IB Diploma) and Silk Road International School (Cambridge). Bishkek International School's 2026-27 fees run from about KGS 1.06 million to 1.63 million a year for self-funded families.

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

The first surprise for many parents relocating to Kyrgyzstan is the fee sheet. Some schools quote in US dollars, others in som, and a few publish nothing until you visit. Once you get past that, the choice is refreshingly manageable: the best international schools in Bishkek are a small group, each with a distinct curriculum and a different kind of student body.

This guide explains what each of the four leading schools offers, what is actually published about costs, and how to compare a dollar quote with a som quote without getting caught out by the exchange rate.

Why families choose Bishkek, and where they live

Bishkek draws diplomats, aid and development workers, mining and energy staff and a growing number of entrepreneurs, alongside Kyrgyz families who want an English-medium education. The international community is modest in size, so school communities feel close and parents get to know one another quickly.

The city is laid out on a grid, with the Ala-Too range visible to the south. Most expatriate families rent in the central and southern districts, where housing is newer and the air is often cleaner. Bishkek International School runs seven bus routes linking its campus with central and south-east Bishkek. QSI sits on Tynystanova Street, closer to the centre, Oxford International School is on Mira Avenue in the south, and Silk Road International School is in the 11th micro-district.

Winter air pollution is a real issue in Bishkek, so ask each school how it decides when children play outdoors. It is worth asking about indoor air filtration on any school visit between November and March.

School calendars can also shift. The Ministry of Education moved the start of the 2026/27 state school year to 15 September 2026, citing the World Nomad Games, an SCO summit and the 35th anniversary of independence, and Silk Road International School followed suit. Other international schools set their own dates, so check each calendar before booking flights.

Curricula available in Bishkek

International Baccalaureate: the IBO lists Bishkek International School for the Diploma (authorised 2015), MYP and PYP (both 2019), all taught in English. It lists Oxford International School for the Diploma Programme (2019), taught in English and Russian.
Cambridge IGCSE and A Levels: Silk Road International School offers the full Cambridge pathway to AS and A Levels. Bishkek International School and Oxford International School use IGCSE in Grades 9 and 10 before the IB Diploma.
American college preparatory: QSI International School of Bishkek follows an American-style curriculum leading to a QSI diploma, with online Advanced Placement courses.
Kyrgyz national certificate: Bishkek International School and Silk Road International School are accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science to prepare students for the state Attestat alongside international qualifications.

Smaller schools also operate in the city, so ask other parents and your employer which ones they use.

The four schools most families compare

Bishkek International School

BIS was set up by parents as a non-profit community school, registered in December 2010 and opened in September 2011 with 20 pupils. Today it reports 450 students from more than 34 countries, aged 2 to 18. Beyond its three IB programmes, it is accredited by NEASC's Commission on International Education and registered as a Cambridge school for IGCSE, where students take at least seven subjects to qualify for the ICE Group Award.

Fees are published in thousands of som. For August 2026 to June 2027, the standard annual fee for self-funded families is about KGS 1,059,000 in preschool, KGS 1,412,000 in primary, KGS 1,482,000 in middle school, KGS 1,557,000 in Grades 9 and 10 and KGS 1,634,000 in Grades 11 and 12. Where an employer pays at least 75% of fees, a Capital Fund Fee is added, taking the top grade to about KGS 2,174,000. Fees include morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack, and optional supervision until 17:30.

One to watch: paying in four terms costs 10% more than the annual fee, and ten monthly payments cost 12% more. Families who stay three full years get a 20% "Platinum" discount, which rewards long postings.

QSI International School of Bishkek

Founded in 1994, the school is part of Quality Schools International, a non-profit group headquartered in Malta. Its 2024-25 school profile reports 110 students from 16 nationalities, from preschool through secondary, with English as the language of instruction. It has been accredited by the Middle States Association since 2011 and is affiliated with the US State Department's Office of Overseas Schools. Classes are small and teaching follows QSI's mastery model, in which pupils move on after mastering each unit.

One to watch: QSI Bishkek does not publish tuition on its website; its application form lists a USD 300 registration fee per new student. Ask for the full fee schedule, including any capital or building levy, before comparing it with other schools.

Oxford International School

Founded in 2015, Oxford International School is the largest school here by its own count, describing itself as having more than 1,000 students and over 70 teachers. It teaches bilingually in English and Russian, uses Cambridge IGCSE in the middle years and has been an authorised IB Diploma school since July 2019, according to the IBO. The school says it is accredited by the Council of International Schools, the Council of British International Schools and the Middle States Association.

One to watch: the bilingual model suits Russian-speaking families and children who will stay in the region. If your child has no Russian, ask how much of the school day and social life runs in Russian before you commit.

Silk Road International School

SRIS registered with Cambridge Assessment International Education as centre KG010 in February 2020. It offers the full Cambridge pathway from Cambridge Primary through Lower Secondary and IGCSE to AS and A Levels. Students also earn the Kyrgyz Attestat alongside their Cambridge qualifications, and the school expects every pupil to reach university-level proficiency in either Kyrgyz or Russian alongside English.

One to watch: the school describes itself as non-profit and says its fees are among the lowest of any accredited Cambridge school in Bishkek, but it does not publish the figures. Discounts are assessed individually, so ask for a written quote.

What school costs in Bishkek: som, dollars and extras

Many families in Kyrgyzstan hear fees quoted in US dollars, while the local currency is the som (KGS). The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic set its official rate at KGS 87.45 to the US dollar on 17 October 2026. At that rate, BIS's self-funded fees work out at roughly:

Preschool (ages 2 to 4): about KGS 1.06 million, or roughly USD 12,100.
Primary (Grades 0 to 5): about KGS 1.41 million, or roughly USD 16,100.
Middle school (Grades 6 to 8): about KGS 1.48 million, or roughly USD 16,900.
High school (Grades 9 to 12): about KGS 1.56 to 1.63 million, or roughly USD 17,800 to 18,700.

If your contract pays school fees in dollars but the school bills in som, or the reverse, a swing in the exchange rate can change the real cost by several percent within one academic year. Ask your employer which currency it reimburses in.

Extras that BIS lists, and that are worth checking at other schools too:

Enrolment fee: USD 300 per family, one-off.
Place reservation deposit: USD 1,000, non-refundable but deducted from the first fee payment.
Textbook deposit: USD 200 in primary and USD 500 in middle and high school, refunded when books are returned.
English as an Additional Language: USD 2,000 a year from Grade 4, depending on testing.
School bus: KGS 79,200 a year, with 10% off for siblings.
Application test fee: KGS 3,000 where an English test is needed.
Outside activities: skiing, swimming and climbing carry external charges.

Practical advice for Bishkek parents

Choose the end point first. Families heading for US universities may prefer QSI's American diploma and AP courses. Those wanting the IB Diploma will compare BIS and Oxford, while A Level candidates will look at Silk Road. Moving between systems is easiest before Grade 9.

Get every quote in writing, in one currency. Because published information is uneven, ask each school for a full annual cost including enrolment, deposits, meals, transport and language support, and convert everything at the National Bank rate on the same day.

Use taster days where they exist. BIS lists taster days for prospective pupils on its website. In a small community, a day in the classroom tells you more about language use, class size and friendships than any brochure.

Compare schools across Kyrgyzstan

For a wider comparison, see our ranking of the best international schools in Kyrgyzstan.

More guides to schools in Bishkek

Frequently asked questions

How much does Bishkek International School cost?

For August 2026 to June 2027, Bishkek International School lists standard annual fees for self-funded families of about KGS 1,059,000 in preschool rising to KGS 1,634,000 in Grades 11 and 12. Meals and snacks are included. Paying in four terms adds 10%, monthly payments add 12%, and employer-funded places pay an extra Capital Fund Fee.

Are international school fees in Bishkek paid in dollars or som?

Both are common. Bishkek International School publishes its 2026-27 fees in som, while some extras such as its USD 300 enrolment fee and USD 1,000 reservation deposit are in dollars. The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic's official rate was KGS 87.45 per US dollar on 17 October 2026, so confirm the billing currency before signing.

Which schools in Bishkek offer the IB Diploma?

The IBO lists two: Bishkek International School, authorised for the Diploma in December 2015 and also offering the PYP and MYP, and Oxford International School, authorised in July 2019 with teaching in English and Russian. Families wanting A Levels instead usually look at Silk Road International School, a registered Cambridge centre since 2020.