QSI International School of Astana

QSI International School of Astana

QSI Astana from the front entrance (Sept. 2013).
Location
Astana
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan
Information
Type Private; Non-Profit
Established 2005
School district Quality Schools International
Director Dr. Sandy Smith
Grades K-12
Enrollment ≈230
Mascot Astana Wolves
Website http://astana.qsischool.org/

Background

QSI International School of Astana is a branch of Quality Schools International located in Astana, Kazakhstan. QSI Astana was founded in 2005 as a non-profit, private institution. QSI International School of Astana has an English language of instruction; it offers a curriculum taught entirely in English from elementary school to secondary school. In 2013 a new and modern facility completed construction. The facility provides more than 28 classrooms, an auditorium, a gymnasium, cafeteria, library and an outside soccer field has been added as well. At the moment there are approximately 230 students representing more 25 different nationalities. Age groups range from 3–17 years old.[1][2]

This is the outdoor preview of the gymnasium.

Curriculum

QSI Astana is based on the American education system. All subjects except for secondary languages are taught in English by English-speaking and certified educators. In secondary classes, (grade 9-12) a variety of AP Courses are offered, ranging from AP World History to AP Chemistry. QSI Astana is also certified to host the SAT Exams. PSAT Exams are available to any secondary students in the beginning of the year. Unlike most Quality International Schools, QSI Astana offers not only Spanish as a secondary language, but also Russian and Kazakh. It is also mandatory for pupils of Kazakh nationality to participate in Kazakh History and Kazakh Language classes.[3]

The indoor gym facility.

In QSI Astana the school year, which consists of 180 school days, is split into 5 separate sections, with a report handed out at each quintile. There is a week-long fall break, a 3 week-long winter break, a week-long spring break, and 1 1/2 month-long summer break. Each day, a pupil has 8 subjects, each 50 minutes long. All subjects except the extra-curricular 8th period subject must be chosen at the beginning of the year. Secondary students also have the choice of having a 'study period'. This is usually chosen by Secondary 3 students to study for the SAT Exam. The extra-curricular subjects change throughout the year. These subjects range from Art classes and Physical Education, to Study Skills, and Environmental Science. All subjects contain 10 units. By the end of the year a pupil must complete the 10 units. If the student fails to succeed in a certain subject, the teacher(s) are obliged to reassess the student on that particular subject.[4]

Starting from Secondary 1 (grade 9), The completion of 1 unit will earn the pupil 1 credit, gaining 10 credits from one yearlong course. A pupil must earn 220 credits by the end of Secondary 4 (grade 12) in order to earn a standard diploma. A pupil must also participate in mandatory subjects in order to receive a standard diploma, such as U.S. History, Health, Algebra, and Biology. If a student wants to receive an Academic Diploma, they must earn 240 credits throughout the 4 Secondary years, and must also participate in 2 AP subjects, passing those classes' AP exam with a score of 3 or above.[4]

Football field

Accreditation

QSI International School of Astana is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools/Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA/CESS). The school received this accreditation in 2011.[5]

Facility

Back view of the school.

The newly built school offers students a much broader spectrum of extra-curricular activities. The facility contains a fully functional 400m track with proper markings. Inside the track is an official size soccer field, made from synthetic grass and rubber bits. Adjacent to the track is a Long Jump Pit and an outdoor tennis/basketball court, which, if needed, can be turned into a volleyball court. The indoor gym facility is equipped with 4 basketball hoops, as well as 2 soccer goals, 2 badminton nets (also used as tennis net sometimes), and a volleyball net.[6]

Outdoor preview of facility.

The school's library offers a wide range of over 1000 books, from authors such as Charles Dickens, George Orwell, and John Green. The library also offers textbooks which could be signed out at the end of the year for pupils who'd like to study over the summer. The cafeteria can house more than 80 pupils and teachers at any given time. In the cafeteria, a variety of nutritious foods are offered. The auditorium is used for plays, musical performances, guest speakers and presentations. Students participate in many school and extra-curricular activities including soccer, basketball, volleyball, taekwondo, dance, swim team, arts & crafts, ping pong, and other student founded clubs.[6]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast'' http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast. Retrieved 2014-11-27. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ "QSI International School of Astana" (PDF). QSI International School of Astana. U.S. Department of State*Office of Overseas Schools. 2014. Retrieved 12/4/14. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ↑ www.astana.qsischool.org http://www.qsi.org/curriculum/. Retrieved 2014-11-27. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 www.qsi.org/ast http://www.qsi.org/curriculum/. Retrieved 2014-11-27. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ↑ http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast#'' http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast#. Retrieved 2014-11-27. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast'' http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast. Retrieved 2104-11-28. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)