QSI International School of Astana

What QSI International School of Astana does

QSI International School of Astana is a private English-language international school located at 17 Bayan-Sulu Street in the Komsomolskiy Village district of Astana, Kazakhstan. Founded in 2011 and accredited since that year by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS), the school serves students from Preschool (age 2+) through Secondary (ages 14–18), drawing a student body of more than 26 nationalities primarily from multinational expatriate families temporarily based in Kazakhstan. The school operates under the broader Quality Schools International (QSI) network, which runs 37 schools across 31 countries on five continents.

The school's core educational model is QSI's Mastery Learning framework, under which students must demonstrate A or B level mastery of each unit before advancing, with time treated as a resource rather than a constraint. The academic product spans Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, and Secondary programs, supplemented by an Advanced Placement (AP) track with an on-campus AP testing center authorized by the College Board, an Intensive English program for English Language Learners, Learning Support and Inclusion services, Counseling, Athletics competing in the COASH and CAFA leagues, Fine Arts, and After-School Activities. The proprietary Success Orientations framework evaluates seven character dimensions — Trustworthiness, Kindness/Politeness, Responsibility, Independent Endeavor, Concern for Others, Group Interaction, and Aesthetic Appreciation — independently of academic grades. NWEA MAP computerized adaptive testing is used for placement in Reading, Mathematics, and Language Usage. The school's stated headcount is 32 firmographic, with one source citing 40 full-time foreign teachers plus 10 Russian and Kazakh language teachers, all reported as 100% certified.

The school's revenue model is subscription-recurring tuition billed annually, supplemented by a one-time non-refundable registration fee of $300 USD per child and ancillary charges for transportation and lunch programs. Tuition rates are not publicly disclosed and are quoted on request through the admissions office. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: families apply year-round through the OpenApply online portal, attend campus tours, complete placement testing and a director interview, and enroll subject to space availability. Marketing relies on the school's own website (astana.qsi.org), YouTube, Instagram, community events, and word-of-mouth referrals coordinated through the parent-led Parent School Group (PSG).

Name

QSI International School of Astana

Legal name

QSI International School of Astana

Website

https://astana.qsi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

QSI International School of Astana is a private English-language international school in Astana, Kazakhstan, serving Preschool through Secondary students from over 26 nationalities under a Mastery Learning model, accredited by MSA-CESS since 2011.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJABAG

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Private & Independent K–12 Schools

SECONDARYEDAJALAC

Test Prep & Exam Readiness (K–12)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Educational Support Services (Tutoring & Counseling)

SECONDARYEDANABAD

K–12 Standardized Assessments & Benchmark Exams Prep (State tests, MAP, ISEE/SSAT)

Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Test Preparation (Standardized & Entrance Exams)

Keywords

• International education
• K-12 schooling
• Mastery learning
• College preparatory
• Preschool programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Astana

HQ country

Kazakhstan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: QSI International School of Astana generates revenue primarily through tuition fees. The school charges a one-time non-refundable registration fee of $300 USD per child. Tuition amounts are quoted upon request and vary by grade level. Additional costs may include transportation and lunch programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

QSI International School of Astana provides English-language international education from Preschool (age 2) through Secondary School, delivered via a Mastery Learning pedagogical model in which students must achieve A or B level mastery before progressing. The school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses as an official College Board testing center, an Intensive English program for English language learners, and student support services including Learning Support, Counseling, and College Counseling. It is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS) since 2011 and serves a multinational student body.

Product overview

QSI International School of Astana is an international school offering a comprehensive educational program from Preschool through Secondary (ages 2-18). The school operates on a Mastery Learning educational model and is part of the Quality Schools International network with 37 schools across 31 countries. Academic programs include Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, and Secondary programs, with specialized offerings such as the Advanced Placement (AP) Program and Intensive English Program. The school also provides extracurricular activities including Athletics, Fine Arts, and After School Activities, along with student support services such as Learning Support, Counseling, Library (16,000+ texts), Health Services, Cafeteria, and Transportation. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association since 2011 and serves students from over 26 different nationalities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Program Early childhood education program for children aged 2-5+ featuring play-based activities, social development, and foundational academic skills in a nurturing environment within the QSI Mastery Learning framework.
• Elementary Program Comprehensive program for students aged 5-10 covering Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Cultural Studies with weekly specialist classes in Art, Music, Physical Education, and Technology, plus Success Orientations character development.
• Middle School Program Curriculum for ages 11-13 including Literature, Writing, Mathematics, Science, Cultural Studies, Art, Technology, Music, and Physical Education with World Languages options.
• Secondary Program Four-year Secondary program (Secondary I-IV) preparing students for international and North American universities, featuring mastery learning progression, AP course offerings, and college counseling.
• Advanced Placement (AP) Program College-level courses allowing students to earn college credit and advanced placement, with the school serving as an official College Board AP testing center administering AP exams.
• Intensive English Program Specialized English language program for students with below-age-level English skills, focusing on speaking, listening, reading, and writing to enable transition to mainstream classes.
• Athletics Program After-school sports program utilizing a 400-meter track, soccer field, and gym, with teams competing in COASH (local Astana) and CAFA (Central Asia) leagues.
• Fine Arts Program Music, drama, and visual arts education with dedicated teachers, including instrumental music, choir, drama, and AP Art options.
• After School Activities Elementary after-school activities program for ages 5-10 led by teachers, parents, and community instructors, including clubs and skill-building sessions.
• Learning Support and Inclusion Services Tailored academic assistance for students with learning needs, providing reading, writing, and math support interventions based on individualized Student Learning Plans (SLP).
• Counseling Services Social-emotional support, academic counseling, career and college guidance, and family support services for students across grade levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• All students must demonstrate mastery (A or B) before progressing - gaps in learning are addressed rather than accumulated
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Quality Schools International (QSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQSI is the parent organization of QSI International School of Astana. QSI operates 37 schools in 31 countries across 5 continents. The organization follows a success-oriented educational model based on mastery learning principles, with schools established to provide quality English-language education for students of various nationalities.
• COASH (Confederation of Astana Schools and Headmasters)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal athletic league in Astana for interscholastic sports competitions and events.
• CAFA (Central Asia Federation of Athletics, Activities and Arts)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional athletic league for Central Asia enabling student athletes to compete against teams from other schools in the region.
• NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association)coreTechnology or IntegrationNWEA provides the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) computerized adaptive testing used for student placement in Reading, Mathematics, and Language Usage. Students ages 5+ take the MAP entrance test.
• College Board (AP Program)coreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial AP testing center offering Advanced Placement courses and exams. The school is authorized to offer AP courses and administer AP exams for college credit.
• US Embassy (Kazakhstan)minorOthersThe Regional Security Officer (RSO) from the US Embassy makes frequent visits to ensure campus safety and security. The embassy has assisted with security cameras, security fences, and frequent security checks. The school has an excellent relationship with many embassies in Astana.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• British School of Astana: British-style international school in Astana providing K-12 education to expatriate and Kazakh families. Competes head-to-head with QSI Astana for English-language international curriculum placements.
• Haileybury Astana: British-curriculum international school in Astana serving expatriate and Kazakh families from early years through secondary. Directly competes with QSI Astana for the same premium expatriate segment in the same city.
• QSI Virtual School: The QSI network's online school delivering the same Mastery Learning curriculum remotely. Comparable as it extends QSI's offering beyond physical campuses and signals the network's broader strategy for reaching distributed expat learners.
• Miras International School Astana: Long-established international school in Astana offering IB and other international curricula. Targets a comparable multinational and Kazakh family segment, overlapping directly with QSI on age range and curriculum positioning.
• QSI International School of Almaty: Sister school within the QSI network in Kazakhstan's other major city, sharing curriculum, Mastery Learning model, and brand. Operationally a near-clone, useful as an internal benchmark for capacity, pricing, and program design.
• International School of Astana (ISA): International school in Astana offering IB and other programs to expatriate and local families. Directly comparable in mission, customer base, and Astana geographic footprint.

Broad incumbents

• GEMS Education: Large global operator of premium international and private K-12 schools across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. Competes in the same premium expatriate-school segment in many cities; relevant as a scale benchmark for international school networks.
• Cognita Schools: International K-12 school group operating premium schools across multiple geographies, including in Central Asia. Comparable as a multi-country private international school platform competing for the same premium expatriate demographic.
• Nord Anglia Education: Global network of premium international schools including campuses in Central Asia and other expat-heavy markets. Comparable on business model (tuition-funded, premium positioning) and on the IB/curriculum breadth it offers.

Regional players

• Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS): State-funded network of elite Kazakh schools providing trilingual and advanced STEM education to top local students. Competes for the highest-ability Kazakh families who might otherwise choose an international school.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsBaR9Ry5y2xMllzmQdSnqA/videos
• Instagraminstagram.com/qsiastanaofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qsi-astana

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about QSI International School of Astana