Kazakhstan International School
Further Information

Admissions Procedures

Admissions Journey Overview


An application for admission is only reviewed by the Admissions Team once the Admissions Office has verified its completeness. Below is a checklist of the key items required to complete your application in order to proceed to the next stage of your admissions journey 




📝 Phase 1: Application & Required Documents 

To begin the admissions process, please complete the online application form on OpenApply and upload all required documents. The required documents will automatically populate in your OpenApply checklist for easy tracking and submission.

DETAILS IMPORTANT 


📝 

1. Submit Application Form



All fields must be completed to advance to the next stage of the admissions journey.

📄

2. Required Documents 


2.1 Birth Certificate | Applicant 

2.2 Passport | Applicant  
2.3 Identification Document | Father
2.4 Identification Document | Mother 
2.5 Academic Reports 
2.6 Confidential Teacher Recommendation 

All documents must be submitted to advance to the next stage of the admissions journey.  

Parent Identification Documents: 

Documents are required for both parents unless the applicant is from a single-parent household.


Early Years Applicants:
An Early Years Profile Form will be required to complete in place of submitting academic reports or a teacher recommendation.

📄

2a. Optional Documents 
  • MAP Test Results 
  • Individual Education Plan (IEP), if applicable 
  • Psych Report, if applicable 

📌

Additional Documentation 

If your child is accepted, additional documentation will be required to complete the enrollment.  Details included below.




🚀 Phase 2: Assessments & Interviews  

Once your application is complete and all required documentation has been received, you will move on to Phase 2 of the admissions process, which includes student assessments and student interviews.

DETAILS IMPORTANT

📊 
1. Assessments

CAT4 Academic Assessment
  • Early Years: not required
  • Grades 1-12: In-person computer based test


English Proficiency Assessment
  • Early Years: not required
  • Grades 1-5:  as needed
  • Grades 6-12: In-person computer based test

Both assessments typically take 2–3 hours total, depending on the child’s age and pace. The Admissions Team will reach out directly to coordinate scheduling.


💬 
2. Interviews 

All applicants are required to be interviewed as part of the admissions process. The Admissions Team will reach out directly to coordinate scheduling.


Interviewers:
Early Years: EY Principal 
Grades 1-5: Elementary Principal 
Grades 6-10: Secondary Principal  
Grades 11-12: DP Coordinator 


The interview is conducted in person and typically lasts around 30 minutes.




Offer & Enrollment Confirmation 

Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If accepted, you will receive an offer of admission. To confirm your child’s place, you’ll need to sign the Educational Services Agreement, pay the required fees, and submit any remaining required documentation. Your child’s start date will depend on when all enrollment requirements are fulfilled.


DETAILS NOTES

 ✍️

1. KIS Educational Services Agreement

The Education Services Agreement outlines key terms such as tuition, enrollment conditions, and parental responsibilities and it must be signed by a parent or guardian to confirm acceptance and secure your child’s place at KIS.

💳

2. Payments Due


2.1 Admission Fee

2.2 Reservation Fee (1/3 of annual tuition)

The Admission and Reservation Fee are required to confirm your acceptance and secure your child’s place at KIS. Payment details will be provided by the Admissions team.

For more information regarding tuition and fees - 
click here


📄

3. Required Documents 

3.1 Individual Identification Number (IIN) | Applicant 
3.2 Visa Stamp / KZ Registration Mark | Applicant 
3.3 Visa Stamp / KZ Registration Mark | Father 
3.4 Visa Stamp / KZ Registration Mark | Mother
3.5 Withdrawal Letter from Current School
3.6 Declarations & Agreements - Signed
3.7 Health Forms | Original Copy 

Parent Identification Documents 

Documents are required for both parents unless the applicant is from a single-parent household.  The visa stamp is required for foreigners from non-CIS countries.  The KZ Registration Mark is required for foreigners from CIS countries.  No additional identification documents are required for local Kazakhstanis. 


Health Forms 
Parents must present original health forms signed and stamped by a licensed physician in Kazakhstan. These documents must be physically brought to the school for verification. The Admissions Office will provide a list of approved local physicians.

  • Health Form 026 (Physical Examination)
  • Health Form 063 (Vaccination History) 
  • Epidemiological Environment Certificate 
  • Triple Scraping on Helminth Eggs Analysis Certificate (for children up to Grade 4)

📄

Optional Documents 
  • Employment Letter (one or both parents)
  • Residence Permit | Parents
  • Health Insurance Card | Applicant 






📄 Document Upload Requirements:

  School reports and transcripts must be PDF copies of the originals.

  KIS does not accept image files (JPG, JPEG, PNG, etc.).

  Please upload a single PDF file containing all pages - do not scan each page individually.



🌍 Overseas Applicants:

If you are applying from overseas and unable to attend the assessment and interview in-person, accommodations can be arranged. Please contact the Admissions Office to discuss options.

Welcome to KIS Admissions!

Welcome to Admissions at KIS Almaty! 

Kazakhstan International School (KIS) is a vibrant IB World School in Almaty, offering the full International Baccalaureate continuum for students aged 2 to 18. 

Founded over 20 years ago as a Montessori kindergarten, KIS has grown into a dynamic learning community that values both academic excellence and personal development. 

Since 2018, our purpose-built campus in central Almaty has offered an inspiring environment for learning, featuring cutting-edge facilities and breathtaking views of the Tien Shan mountains.


We are proud to be MSA accredited, reflecting our commitment to high standards and continuous improvement. At KIS, education goes beyond the classroom - fostering values, creativity, and service to society. More than a school, we are a close-knit community where every child is known, supported, and inspired.



Application Form

The application form is your next step toward joining our community. It gives us the essential details we need to begin the admissions process and better understand how we can support your child’s learning journey.

Enquiry Form 

The enquiry form is a simple way to let us know you’re interested. It helps us learn a little about your family so we can share relevant information and guide you through the next steps.


School Tour


A school tour is the best way to experience our community firsthand. You will get a feel for our learning environment, explore our facilities, and see what makes KIS a special place to grow and learn.




About KIS




KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL


Welcome to Kazakhstan International School! 
Our IB Programme for Kindergarten through Grade 12 offers a rich array of 
academics, arts, and athletics in a setting that inspires excellence and a love for learning.

Founded in 1998, KIS has made student-centered, inquiry-based learning a priority from the start. 
From our beginnings as the first Montessori-based kindergarten in Kazakhstan, we have consistently made decisions with a 
clear goal in mind: supporting quality student learning and social-emotional growth.

At KIS, we are more than academics; we are a learning community of students, parents, teachers, and staff 
working together to create a school culture that ensures a world-class, international education.





MISSION & VISION

driven by purpose and guided by ambition


The KIS Community nurtures a growth mindset through a holistic education that connects cultures.


To be a caring, impactful community that excels in learning and life.





TRULY INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

A World of Learning, A Community Without Borders

At our school, we are proud to offer the renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) program 
as a cornerstone of our commitment to nurturing curiosity, exploration, and a love of learning in our students. 
With its emphasis on inquiry-based education, the IB program provides a dynamic framework that encourages 
students to ask questions, seek answers, and engage with the world around them in meaningful ways.





A STRONGER COMMUNITY, TOGETHER

Join us in fostering connections that inspire growth, collaboration, and a shared sense of belonging


At KIS, we are proud to be a diverse, multinational community.

Our students and staff come from over 20 countries around the world, with roughly 40% of our students being expatriates. 

We promote international-mindedness and global awareness, while engaging locally to help our community in Almaty and across Kazakhstan.

KIS is a warm and welcoming community where everyone is valued, creating a family-like atmosphere with close partnerships between parents and the school. 
We have an active, supportive Parent-Teacher Association with a voice at board level, too.










Meet Our Leadership Team

INTRODUCTIONS:

OB - Ole Bernard Sealey, Head of School


Kazakhstan International School (KIS) is a warm, welcoming environment where students thrive in learning and in life! As the Head of School, it is my privilege to extend a heartfelt welcome to all members of our community. At KIS we foster a growth mindset in our students and educators so that each person can identify and achieve a personal best in everything they do.

 

Our teachers are our greatest asset and they strive to create dynamic classrooms that meet the needs of all students. Through the IB programmes, we empower our students to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers and responsible global citizens. Finally, our co-curricular activities offer students a range of opportunities to explore their passions and experience success! We truly are More Than Academics.

 

I invite you to explore our website to learn more about the many incredible learning opportunities that KIS has to offer.



Early Years - A’qilah Saiere, Early years Principal


It is with great pleasure that we extend a warm welcome to the KIS community. Our Early Years Program at KIS is creative, progressive and inspiring.

 

We are dedicated to fostering the holistic development of each child through engaging and developmentally appropriate interactions and activities. We believe that children flourish when their interests and perspectives are respected and valued.

 

The IB PYP curriculum framework lays the groundwork for us to offer diverse and comprehensive learning experiences within an authentic inquiry-based setting. At KIS, we cultivate an environment that nurtures students to develop into globally-minded individuals. We value your collaboration as we undertake this meaningful journey alongside your child.

 


PYP - Rekha Sachdej, Elementary Principal

 

Welcome to our vibrant learning community at KIS. At our school we believe in nurturing not just academic excellence but also fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom walls. The PYP curriculum encourages curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, layering a strong foundation for your child’s future success. As partners in your child’s education, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and enriching environment where they can thrive and reach their fullest potential.

 

Together let us embark on this remarkable adventure of discovery, growth, and exploration. With dedicated educators, growth, and exploration. With dedicated educators, supportive families, and enthusiastic learners. KIS will pave the way for a fulfilling and transformative educational experience. We are invested and dedicated to focusing on the growth of the whole child throughout their experience at KIS.


Secondary - Jeffrey Smith, Secondary Principal

 

I am delighted to welcome students and families, both new and returning, to KIS Secondary School! In the Secondary School, we offer the IB Middle Years Programme for students in Grades 6-10 and the IB Diploma Programme for students in Grades 11 and 12.

 

These two academic programmes allow KIS to deliver a world-class education that prepares students for tertiary education once they have graduated from KIS.

 

I am very pleased to have the honour of working with the KIS community.