Quick answer: How do you choose an international school in Almaty? Start with curriculum and destination: British and IB schools suit families heading to Europe, American schools suit US-bound students. Then weigh location against Almaty's traffic, check language support in Russian and Kazakh, and compare total cost, which runs roughly USD 10,000 to 30,000 a year. Visit at least two schools before deciding, and ask about teacher turnover and class sizes.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by David from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.
Choosing a school in Almaty is a decision about geography as much as education. The city runs uphill from the steppe to the Tian Shan foothills, traffic funnels along a few east-west avenues, and the international schools are scattered across the south and west. Knowing how to choose an international school in Almaty therefore means balancing curriculum, language, location and cost at the same time. This 2026 guide sets out the framework and the questions to ask. Every school named here has a verified profile on International School Advisor.
Why Almaty is a distinctive school market
Almaty is no longer the capital, but it remains Kazakhstan's largest city and commercial centre, home to banks, mining and energy companies, international organisations and a large diplomatic and consular presence. The international school market grew with the oil boom of the 2000s and has matured into a stable group of British, American, IB and bilingual Kazakhstani schools. Demand now comes as much from local families as from expatriates, which has pushed schools to strengthen Kazakh and Russian teaching alongside English.
Location matters more here than in most cities. The upper districts near Al-Farabi Avenue and the Medeu road are where many expatriate families live, and the schools in the south-west along the same axis are a short drive. Schools further west or north of the centre can mean 45 minutes each way in winter traffic. Choose your school and your neighbourhood together.
Curricula available in Almaty
- British: the English National Curriculum through IGCSE and A Level, with the most established British school running a full through-school from age 5 to 18.
- American: US programmes with AP courses, following the American academic calendar and grade structure.
- International Baccalaureate: two schools offer the full IB continuum from Primary Years through to the Diploma, one of them a Kazakhstani-founded school with a strong local intake.
- Cambridge international schools with local roots: Kazakhstani-owned schools teaching Cambridge programmes in English alongside the national curriculum, at lower fees.
Five schools that show the range of choice
Haileybury Almaty
Opened in 2008 as the sister school of Haileybury in Hertfordshire, this is the largest British school in Kazakhstan, teaching the English curriculum to A Level with a large purpose-built campus in the south-west. It has a mixed international and Kazakhstani intake, strong sport and music, and fees at the top of the city range.
Almaty International School
Part of the Quality Schools International network, AIS is the choice of most US embassy and American corporate families. It runs an American mastery-learning model with AP courses in a compact campus, and its intake is more internationally diverse than most schools in the city.
Kazakhstan International School
KIS is an IB World School offering the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes. It has a strong record of IB Diploma results and a reputation for a warm, family-centred culture, with a broadly even split between expatriate and Kazakhstani students.
Miras International School
Founded in 1999, Miras was the first school in Kazakhstan authorised for all three IB programmes. It teaches in English, Russian and Kazakh, and is the natural choice for bilingual local families or expatriates who want their children to gain real Russian alongside an IB education.
Galaxy International School
A Cambridge international school offering IGCSE and A Level in English, with a predominantly Kazakhstani intake and fees below the expatriate-founded schools. It suits families who want an international qualification at a more accessible price and a more local environment.
Fees and what sits outside tuition
Tuition at the international schools runs roughly USD 10,000 to 16,000 in the early years and primary, USD 15,000 to 24,000 in lower secondary, and USD 20,000 to 30,000 for the IB Diploma or A Level years, with Haileybury and AIS at the upper end and the Kazakhstani-founded schools below. Several schools quote in tenge and adjust annually, so ask which currency the contract uses.
Extras to budget for: an enrolment or capital fee of roughly USD 2,000 to 6,000, non-refundable; an application fee of USD 200 to 500; school transport of USD 1,500 to 2,500 a year; uniforms of USD 300 to 500; IB, AP or Cambridge exam fees of USD 500 to 1,000 in exam years; and lunch where not included. Ski trips to Shymbulak and residential expeditions are billed separately.
A hard fact that affects language planning: Kazakhstan's trilingual policy makes Kazakh language and Kazakh history compulsory for citizens at every licensed school, including international ones. Expatriate children are exempt from the citizenship requirements but still receive Kazakh and Russian lessons at most schools, which is a genuine advantage for a family staying more than two years.
Practical advice for choosing in Almaty
Ask about teacher turnover and recruitment. Almaty is a hardship posting for some international teachers and a much-loved home for others. Schools with stable staff over three or more years tend to deliver more consistent teaching, and admissions teams will tell you the figure if you ask.
Check the winter logistics. Heavy snow, air quality in January and short daylight all affect outdoor time and transport. Ask how each school handles physical education and bus routes in the coldest months.
Think about the exit as well as the entry. If your child may transfer to another country before finishing school, prioritise a curriculum with the widest recognition and a school that issues clear transcripts quickly.
Compare Almaty schools side by side
Our ranking of the best schools in Almaty lets you compare curricula, accreditation, facilities and parent reviews across every international school in the city, and contact admissions from each profile.
More guides to schools in Almaty
Frequently asked questions
Which curriculum is best for expat children in Almaty?
It depends on where your child will study next. The IB Diploma and British A Levels are recognised by universities worldwide and offered by several Almaty schools; the American diploma with AP courses is the natural path to US colleges. For children under 11 the differences are smaller than the differences between individual schools, so weigh teaching quality and class size more than the label.
Do international schools in Almaty teach Russian and Kazakh?
Yes. Kazakhstan's trilingual education policy means Kazakh language and Kazakh history are compulsory for Kazakhstani citizens, and most international schools offer Kazakh and Russian to all students as part of the timetable. Expatriate children usually take Russian as a foreign language, with Kazakh optional, while local students follow the mandated programme alongside the international curriculum.
How much do international schools in Almaty cost?
Tuition at the main international schools ranges roughly from USD 10,000 a year in the early years to USD 30,000 for the IB Diploma or A Level years, with the British and American schools at the top. Add a one-off enrolment fee of roughly USD 2,000 to 6,000, transport at USD 1,500 to 2,500 a year, uniforms and exam fees. Some schools quote in tenge, so ask which currency the contract uses.