International Steppe School of Astana

The admissions process may include an age-appropriate assessment and an interview. The evaluation is used to understand the student’s academic background, language proficiency, and learning needs, and to ensure appropriate placement and support.

Waiting lists may apply for certain grade levels, depending on availability.

Admissions are open throughout the year, subject to availability.

Yes, subject to availability and assessment.

The school day typically finishes between 15:30 and 17:00, depending on the grade level and activities.

Technology is integrated into teaching and learning across the school. Classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards, networked computers, and reliable wireless internet access to support digital learning and collaboration.

The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs, including robotics and drone piloting, a FabLab for hands-on design and engineering projects, and a hydroponics programme where students grow plants and fish. Creative opportunities include visual arts, a theatre club with dedicated rehearsal space, and music programmes featuring guitar, electric guitar, and drums. Students also have access to computer labs and a variety of academic and creative clubs.

The physical education programme includes a range of individual and team sports, with a strong emphasis on football. The school has a large indoor football facility that allows year-round training and play, supported by qualified and experienced football coaches. Football is also used as part of an integrated enrichment programme to support Kazakh language development for Russian-speaking students.

The school offers a wide range of modern learning facilities, including science laboratories, computer labs, a FabLab for design and engineering projects, a hydroponics laboratory, art studios, and music rooms equipped for guitar, electric guitar, and drum practice. Students also have access to a theatre space with dedicated rehearsal rooms, libraries, and collaborative learning areas that support academic, creative, and project-based learning.

The school provides extensive sports facilities, including a large indoor football arena that allows year-round training and matches, as well as outdoor sports areas. These facilities are supported by qualified coaches and are used both for physical education lessons and extracurricular sports programmes.

Teachers are fully qualified and highly proficient in the language of instruction. The teaching staff includes both native and non-native speakers with relevant international and multilingual teaching experience.

The school offers several language streams to support different linguistic backgrounds and learning needs. These include Kazakh- and Russian-medium streams, an English-medium stream where subjects are taught fully in English, and a specialised Kazakh language immersion stream for Russian-speaking students. The immersion stream follows a tailored programme with a strong focus on developing Kazakh language proficiency through cognitively accessible content, with adjusted academic load in other subjects to support effective language acquisition.

The school provides comprehensive and ongoing support for students with special learning needs. This includes a dedicated learning support team, SEN coordination, individual learning plans, in-class differentiation, and access to specialist support such as speech therapy. Support is delivered through close collaboration between teachers, specialists, parents, and, where appropriate, external professionals.

Gifted and talented students are supported through differentiated instruction, extended and enrichment tasks, a wide range of elective courses, participation in academic competitions, and extensive project- and research-based learning opportunities. Individual academic pathways are developed to support students’ strengths, interests, and long-term goals.