QSI International School of Astana
| QSI International School of Astana | |
|---|---|
 QSI Astana from the front entrance (Sept. 2013). | |
| Location | |
 | |
15 Bayan Sulu Street, Astana , | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private; Non-Profit |
| Established | 2005 |
| School district | Quality Schools International |
| Director | Dr. Sandy Smith |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Enrollment | 249 |
| Mascot | Astana Wolves |
| Website | http://astana.qsischool.org/ |
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 facility completed construction. The facility contains 32 classrooms, 3 computer labs, an auditorium, gymnasium, cafeteria, library, outdoor soccer field ( with an Olympic running track) and basketball court, and several playgrounds.[1] Approximately 250 students with over 25 different nationalities are enrolled for the 2015-2016 school year. Classes range from Preschool to High School level.[2]
Curriculum
QSI International School of Astana is based on the American Education system. The school has been accredited by MSA/CESS (Middle States Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools) since 2011.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
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.[5]
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.[6]
Facility
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.[7]
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.[7]
QSI International School of Astana has been steadily growing in numbers of students as well as teachers. The school is also expanding its campus. Currently, there are three facilities that are expected to complete structure (i.e. housing for administration staff, elementary school building and faculty staff). The school has already constructed parking areas for the teachers as well as parents, and the security is strengthened by constant patrolling. In the coming years a new principal, who is also a counselor will be arriving. There are going to be new native teachers to support the increasing number of students.
References
- ^ International, Joshua Olson for Quality Schools. "Quality Schools International". www.qsi.org. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
- ^ Smith, Sandra (2013). "QSI International School of Astana: Welcome". Retrieved 17-08-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "MSA-CESS -> Members -> Search Our Members". www.msa-cess.org. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
- ^ www.astana.qsischool.org http://www.qsi.org/curriculum/. Retrieved 2014-11-27.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b www.qsi.org/ast http://www.qsi.org/curriculum/. Retrieved 2014-11-27.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast# http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast#. Retrieved 2014-11-27.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|title=(help) - ^ a b http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast http://www.qsi.org/kazakhstan/ast. Retrieved 2104-11-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); External link in|website=|title=(help)