Nazarbayev Intellectual School

Our Story Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) is a network of 22 autonomous K-12 schools in Kazakhstan functioning as a national experimental platform for educational innovation. Headquartered in Astana, NIS integrates the best domestic and international practices to enhance intellectual potential at both national and global levels. The organization partners with the University of Cambridge, the Council of International Schools (COIS), the University of Turku and leading Kazakh universities. Since 2010, NIS has produced over 20,771 graduates, of whom 25.4% entered Nazarbayev University, 654 gained admission to QS Top-100 universities, 32 to Ivy League institutions and over 20% to foreign higher education institutions. The schools serve as an innovation testbed, piloting curricula, assessment systems and digital tools before national rollout. Programs & Trainings NIS-Programme, Kazakhstan’s first trilingual curriculum co-developed with Cambridge; blends international standards with national values and serves as an alternative to A-Level, IB and O-Level. International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, full IB curriculum pathway delivered within the network. Virtual School (Grades 5-6), online preparatory project covering Mathematics, Natural Science, Kazakh Language and Literature, Russian Language and Literature, and English Language; instruction in Kazakh and Russian via the vs.nis.edu.kz platform. NIS Admission Preparation Online Course (ACADEMIA.kz), self-paced online course in Kazakh and Russian with test-section materials, exercises and self-assessment tools for competitive selection. Trial Testing (Байқау тестілеуі), computer-based mock exams held at 21 NIS campuses and the Astana International School; online trial testing available through the Beyim Synaq mobile application. Holiday School / Camp School (Каникулярлы мектеп), seasonal intensive camps for prospective and current students. NIS Lab, virtual laboratory for Chemistry, Physics and Biology designed for NIS students. KZWorld, dedicated subject-site providing materials for "Kazakhstan in the Modern World." CEP Termin, trilingual terminology database for key subject-specific terms used across disciplines. KIVA Anti-Bullying Program, whole-school intervention program to prevent bullying and improve school climate. "Berik Otbasy" (Strong Family) Program, family-strengthening and engagement initiative for parents and caregivers. Functional Literacy Enhancement, courses designed to raise core academic and life competencies. Pedagogical Retraining Courses, formal retraining programs for educators seeking NIS certification or advanced qualifications. Professional Development Seminars and Trainings, continuous in-service training for teachers and leaders delivered by the NIS Center for Pedagogical Excellence. Beyim Ustaz Platform, online professional learning portal offering courses, seminars and events for teachers across Kazakhstan. Systemic-Methodological Complex, nationwide dissemination program that transfers NIS pedagogical experience and provides methodological support to general secondary schools. Pedagogical Database (sk.nis.edu.kz), open online repository of best practices, lesson designs and methodological materials for NIS educators and external teachers. Accreditation Services for Secondary Education Institutions, external quality assurance and school accreditation consulting. WRO National Organizer Training, robotics and STEM competition pipeline; NIS is the official national organizer of the World Robot Olympiad in Kazakhstan. NIS Textbooks & Educational Complexes, Ministry-approved electronic and print textbooks distributed via the NIS Education Store. Criteria-Based Assessment Certification, training for educators on internal, external and formative assessment frameworks. Specialties Trilingual K-12 education (Kazakh, Russian, English) STEM and CLIL instruction Teacher professional development and national capacity building Educational research, measurement and assessment Digital transformation in education (virtual labs, online schools, EdTech platforms) International university preparation (SAT, IB, IELTS track record) Anti-bullying and student well-being School accreditation and quality assurance Methods & Approach NIS employs a criteria-based assessment system aligned with both national standards and international benchmarks. Instruction follows a strict trilingual policy and integrates CLIL and STEM methodologies across subjects. The network operates as an experimental platform: new curricula, technologies and policies are piloted in NIS schools before national scaling. Digital integration includes virtual laboratories, an online pedagogical database, mobile assessment applications and a fully virtual school for grades 5-6. Teacher quality is ensured through mandatory continuous professional development; 33% of staff are certified trainers, 43% hold Master’s degrees, and English teachers benefit from CELTA/DELTA training while subject teachers receive CLIL and STEM certifications. Who It's For - Gifted and high-achieving students in grades 5-12 seeking rigorous national or international pathways including IB, NIS-Programme and SAT/IELTS tracks. - Students from rural areas, small towns and low-income families (11% and 38.4% of enrollment respectively), supported by inclusive admission policies. - Parents and caregivers participating in the "Strong Family" engagement program. - Prospective students in grades 5-6 preparing for competitive NIS entrance exams via the Virtual School and trial testing system. - Teachers, principals and education officials across Kazakhstan seeking retraining, certification, methodological support or accreditation services. - Schools and administrators aiming to implement NIS-standard assessment, anti-bullying or STEM programs. Facilities & Practical Info The network operates 22 Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools plus the Astana International School, spanning urban and regional Kazakhstan. The headquarters is located on Huseyn ben Talal Street in Astana. Programs are delivered in-person on campus, online through the Virtual School and Beyim Ustaz platforms, and in blended formats. Instruction is available in Kazakh, Russian and English depending on the program. Competitive selection for grade 7 admission follows an annual cycle with published rules, document checklists and public results. Trial testing registration is managed through trialtest.nis.edu.kz and the Beyim Synaq app. A toll-free hotline and WhatsApp support line are available for applicant inquiries. Location Address: 31 көшесі 35, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan Hours: See website for admission schedules, trial testing dates and academic calendar The "+" Proven international track record: average SAT score of 1299/1600 and 60% of recent graduates holding IELTS 7.0 or higher. National scalability: NIS is a government-authorized experimental platform that exports validated methods to the entire Kazakh school system. Comprehensive digital ecosystem: virtual labs, online textbook store, trilingual terminology base and mobile assessment apps. Elite faculty profile: 43% of teachers hold Master’s degrees, with PhD holders, Bolashak alumni and internationally certified trainers (CELTA/DELTA, CLIL, STEM). Strong equity metrics: significant enrollment from rural areas and low-income families alongside state-grant and international university placement rates exceeding 90%.