Parent's Review of QSI (Astana, Aktau, Atyrau) in Astana, Kazakhstan

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

QSI (Astana, Aktau, Atyrau)

In what town or city is this school located?

Astana

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

American - same system for all 30+ QSI schools (4 in Kaz)

What grade levels are represented at this school?

varies (2yr old to gr 12)

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

Mostly Private transport. Astana has (if I recall) a bus service available.

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

Unlike AIS (QSI Almaty - over ten years old and a population >400) these are all recently established (<5 years), and have small student populations. Their facilities are limited, and consistently change to match the school population.

I think all 3 schools offer limited extra-curricular. This is partly to do with limited facilities, but also partly to do with limited options in Kazakhstan.

If you work here, you know that there are challenges to living and working here. You NEED to know this before moving your family here. For adults and kids, this country is limited.

As the school grow and become established they will be able to offer more. Look at QSI Almaty.

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?

Language programs (Russian and possibly Kazakh).

I know there is Intensive English (ESL) help available for non-English speakers in the Elementary. Limited IE for high school kids.

Repatriation? Aside from following an American-style curriculum, I don't know. Easy transfer between QSI schools around the world.

What you need to ask before you go (this applies to ANY international school.)

1. Where will my children go to school when we leave this posting? If it's another American or American International school, you should have no problem. Reintegration into non-American programs can be problematic? What are the experiences of other families from your country/region?

2. Do the school years match? If there is a half-year difference in the school years, the child will most likely be moved back to beginning of the year. Some children will end up losing a full year when they go home.

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

Limited social activities. Again, these are small schools, small expat communities.

Parent Advisory committees have input into policy, but no authority. Most of the policy seems to come from the QSI organization.

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

For primary school (elementary school). QSI is fine. Their numbers tend to be high enough for the children to have decent socialization. Class sizes are low when compared to public schools at home, which is nice. The QSI curriculum is good and on par with other American-type programs.

I advise workers not to bring teenagers abroad. You are pulling them away from their peer groups during a crucial developmental stage. (Do you really need to move?) If you must, these smaller QSI schools will educate them, but with limited social opportunities. Also, there is little to do in these communities, outside of school.

Note: Tuition is high, because numbers are low, and the schools are developing.

I was troubled by some comments, so I chose to write this.

"Ask for a copy of the school handbook Ask about staff turnover and religious affiliation. "

1. Yes, ask for a copy of the school handbook. All the schools should have one.

2. Staff turnover. This is Kazakhstan, it's considered a hardship posting for most companies. Teachers don't have the monetary incentives that oil companies (and other expat industries) receive. Ask yourself what keeps you here?

3. Religious affiliation? I know that QSI does tend to hire "Christian" teachers. I've known non-religious and Muslim teachers in QSI schools. The religious beliefs of the staff, or ownership is not reflected in the curriculum nor teaching practices in any way different than a teacher in a public school's beliefs would.

As for qualifications of locally hired teachers. There is a problem with language ability or locals, because once their ability improves, expat companies tend to hire them away from the schools.

Final note: I do believe that the QSI organization takes input from the companies and organizations that pay your children's fees quite seriously.

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