Spectrum International School

Our Story Spectrum International School (SIS) was founded in 2008 in Astana, Kazakhstan, originally as NurOrda International School before being renamed in 2017. The school operates under the motto "Unified by Diversity" and delivers a full-cycle Cambridge international education from early years through to pre-university level. It holds accreditations from the Council of International Schools (CIS), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and is an approved Cambridge International Examination Centre and SAT testing center. The institution was granted official international school status by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2014. Its mission is to raise knowledgeable, well-mannered young people who contribute to world peace through mutual understanding and respect, fostered within a friendly, family-like atmosphere. In 2023-2024, SIS moved into a new, modern educational building led by Principal Jonathan Ferreira. Programs & Trainings Cambridge Primary, Grades 0-5 providing foundational learning within the Cambridge international framework. Cambridge Lower Secondary, Grades 6-8 building core knowledge and skills toward advanced qualifications. Cambridge IGCSE, Grades 9-10 offering internationally recognized subject qualifications across sciences, humanities, languages, and mathematics. Cambridge Advanced: AS/A Level, Grades 11-12 delivering prestigious pre-university courses that prepare students for entry to leading universities worldwide. Cambridge Primary and Secondary Checkpoint, Standardized internal assessments marking progression through primary and lower-secondary stages. EAL Department, English as an Additional Language support dedicated to students acquiring English proficiency for academic success. SAT Testing Center, Official College Board SAT administration site since March 2018 for university admission testing. Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, Provision of University of Cambridge admissions tests for higher education applications globally. Study Abroad Programme, Structured support for student placement and academic pathways in over 21 different countries. Student Council & Leadership Development, Student governance roles and representative opportunities to build civic and organizational skills. Extracurricular Clubs & Spectrum Life, Arts, athletics, special-interest clubs, and school-wide events fostering holistic development. Individual School Tours & Admissions Consultations, Personalized campus visits and detailed academic programme briefings for prospective families. Specialties Cambridge International Curriculum (full continuum from Primary to A Level) International school accreditation and quality assurance (CIS, NEASC, Cambridge) English language acquisition and intensive EAL support University admissions testing and college preparation pathways Multicultural, intercultural, and global citizenship education Student wellbeing, pastoral care, and child protection frameworks Science and mathematics olympiad training (e.g., Zhautykov, NEOscience) SAT and Cambridge examination administration center services Methods & Approach Teaching at Spectrum is guided by inclusivity, excellence, and respect for cultural diversity, aiming to develop self-reliant, principled, empathetic, cooperative, trustworthy, respectful, united, and motivated learners, embodied in the S-P-E-C-T-R-U-M values framework. The school emphasizes individual work and a personal approach for each student, fostering critical thinking, creative reasoning, and effective communication. Approximately 80% of faculty members are foreign professionals with a minimum of five years of teaching experience, providing education with a truly international perspective in an English-medium environment. Who It's For Primary and secondary school students aged approximately 5 to 18 (Grades 0-12) seeking an international English-language education in Kazakhstan. Local and expatriate families looking for Cambridge-accredited pathways leading to IGCSE and A Level qualifications. Students requiring English language support through a dedicated EAL department. Learners aiming to enter universities abroad, particularly in the UK, US, and other international systems, who benefit from on-site SAT and Cambridge Admissions Testing. Families valuing a multicultural, diverse community and intercultural learning in a CIS/NEASC-accredited setting. Facilities & Practical Info The school operates from a modern campus with admissions office hours from 08:10 to 16:30. Instruction is delivered in English within an international environment, with communications and website content available in English, Russian, and Kazakh. The school maintains a scholarship programme, tuition discounts, and detailed fee structures accessible through the admissions office. Campus visits and individual tours can be booked online or by contacting the admissions team directly. Location Address: Koshkarbayev Avenue, 11, Astana, Kazakhstan Hours: Admissions office open 08:10-16:30; academic calendar follows the international school year cycle The "+" Dual CIS and NEASC international accreditation plus Cambridge International Examination Centre status 80% foreign teaching staff with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience Full Cambridge continuum from Primary through A Level, combined with an official SAT testing center on campus Strong student success record in international olympiads and university placements across 21+ countries New, modern educational campus inaugurated for the 2023-2024 academic year Dedicated EAL department ensuring comprehensive English language support for non-native speakers