Parent's Review of Miras Astana International School in Astana, Kazakhstan

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

Miras Astana International School

In what town or city is this school located?

Astana

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

International

What grade levels are represented at this school?

All

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

Car

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

A new primary building has opened and has a library, gym, I.T room, music room, auditorium. There are a range of afterschool activities. Not very well organised and only run because local teachers get paid extra to supervise them.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

No integration programme and by the looks of things no repatriation programme. They did seem very welcoming and happy to see expat children enrolling.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

There is a PTA which is made up of predominantly expat parents. They have some good ideas but have been infected with a nasty streak partly because of the dictatorial way the chairwoman dominates. Factions have developed.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

Don't believe this is an International school for a second. Most expats go to the QSI school because it's the best...which is really saying something!. Only a tiny percentage of students are expats. It's really a private school for rich Kazakh families. They run the PYP and MYP programmes but the local staff lack international understanding. Their teaching methods are out of date and the school lacks adequate resources. Fees are paid directly to the board and it's obvious only a small proportion gets passed on for running the school.

Thankfully our contract is over shortly and we can get our kids back into a school that values children and not just looking good to the outside world.

William Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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