About School

Mission Statement

Miras International School Almaty provides high quality education based on integrated Kazakhstani and International Standards in a multilingual environment devoted to empowering every student to become an internationally minded life-long learner with a shared responsibility for the Globe.

School Philosophy

MIS believes that what students learn at school should have meaning and relevance in real-life contexts. MIS promotes the skills and attitudes of community and global citizenship. MIS is committed to an ongoing programme of review to maintain the school's high standards.

Our programmes and practices are motivated by the following beliefs:

Student Development

Complete education develops students socially, intellectually, physically and aesthetically to prepare them for life in a rapidly changing world. At MIS, students are encouraged to develop the skills and attitudes to become caring, committed and contributing citizens with respect for individuals, other cultures and the world.

Social and Cultural Integration

The school community has a strong respect for, and appreciation of, cultural differences and human rights. Through the International Baccalaureate programmes, all students are part of a uniquely international community, which has at its core mutual respect and a tolerance for difference. We recognize the importance of the Kazakh language and culture and endeavour to promote these.

Acquired Knowledge and Learning Potential

A quality education recognizes the uniqueness of each student, the importance of acquiring knowledge and skills, IB Learner Profile attributes and the awareness that students must be encouraged to reach their full potential.

A Challenging Curriculum

The best school curricula are challenging and engaging while including a variety of instructional methods to fulfill the needs of students with different aptitudes. Our learning activities nurture curiosity and creativity, encourage intellectual risk-taking, and develop critical and independent thinking.

A Qualified and Enthusiastic Staff

All educators at MIS are highly competent and dedicated professionals who model the IB Learner Profile attributes and help students identify and develop their talents within the school and community. MIS is committed to the continuous professional development of its staff.

A School Community

An international school is a strong and cohesive community of faculty, staff, families and students that encourages the development of the skills and attitudes of responsible citizenship. We actively seek the involvement and co-operation of parents and the community.

Accountability

Teachers, administrators, students and parents work together towards these educational goals and are accountable for student learning.

Facilities and Resources

The MIS campus provides a safe and stimulating learning environment where a diverse program, including academics, sports and the arts, is offered.

Student Development

• Encourage development of IB Learner Profile attributes
• Engage students in a variety of community service activities
• Support a varied sports and creative arts programme
• Foster greater understanding and awareness of other cultures through classroom programmes

Social and Cultural Integration

• Integrate, as far as possible, all students in all homeroom, classroom, sporting and extra-curricular activities
• Celebrate multi-culturism with, and at, special events
• Develop polilingual language environment promoting English, Kazakh and Russian as well as supporting a mother tongue

Acquired knowledge and Learning Potential

• Encourage all staff in the awareness that every student is a unique individual whose potential must be developed fully

A Challenging Curriculum

• Promote educational opportunities for students in English, Russian and Kazakh
• Continue the development of MIS integrated curriculum to encourage a variety of learning activities as well as fostering the development of students' skills
• Offer a variety of subjects in the Diploma programme at standard and higher levels and in the Kazakhstani Programme
• Provide elective courses for university entrance exams
• Contribute to further development of experimental work, complete creation of International School Standards as well as a model of High School concept in Kazakhstan

A Qualified and Enthusiastic staff

• Encourage the Staff to model the IB Learner profile attributes
• Recruit and retain a highly qualified and dedicated teaching staff from both the local and international educational communities
• Ensure that the best current teaching methodology is used emphasizing a student centred approach in developing the skills and talents of every individual
• Support school Staff professional development through the inschool, IB, CIS, ECIS and other institutions workshops

A School Community

• Develop internationalism as a key issue of the school relationships
• Maintain a strong student council with real input into the school administration
• Continue the development of a broadly representative Parent/Teacher organization
• Offer the school as a venue and facility for community activities

Accountability

• Continue the development of the most effective communication system involving the whole school community
• Provide regular meetings, relevant printed material and an appropriate website with current information on school activities
• Maintain an effective review process whereby all Miras objectives are regularly monitored and checked

Facilities and Resources

• Effect a maintenance programme adequate for the upkeep of a safe and stimulating learning environment
• Budget adequate resources for the creation and maintenance of a safe and stimulating learning environment
• Encourage the school services working more effectively to support instructional process

School Leadership

• Director of School: Irina R. Vlassyants — mirashead@miras.kz
• School Deputy Head for Curriculum and Professional Development: Mashura Anna Valeriyevna — DeputyHead@miras.kz
• Primary School Principal: Ronel Prinsloo — PSPrincipal@miras.kz
• Primary School Vice Principal: Ukubasova Dinara — d_ukubasova@miras.kz
• Secondary School Principal: Alejandro Zepeda — a_zepeda@miras.kz
• Secondary School Vice Principal: Elena Vladimirova — vladimirova_e@miras.kz
• Dean of Students: Shaimerdenova Gaukhar — g_ilasheva@miras.kz

Faculty: 109 teachers in total, including 20 overseas teachers.

Curriculum:

• Primary school: Integrated School Curriculum based on Educational Standards and Practices of the Republic of Kazakhstan and IB PYP.
• Middle school: Integrated School Curriculum based on Educational Standards and Practices of the Republic of Kazakhstan and IB MYP.
• High school — Grade 11: State Compulsory Standards of General Education in the Republic.
• IB DP — Grades 11 and 12.

Final examinations: IB DP, MYP e-assessment, Kazakhstani State exams in Grades 9 and 11.

Age: 3–18. Number of students: 546 (Preschool 41 / KG 70 / Grades 1–4 173 / Grades 5–12 262). Nationalities: representatives of 18 countries.

IB school code: 1384. CIS school code: MALMAT.

About the school

Miras Almaty International School was founded in 1999 under the auspices of the Nursultan Nazarbayev Educational Foundation. It represents an innovative school model in the Republic of Kazakhstan, implementing a new pedagogical technology and teaching methods that integrate the national standards and the philosophy and teaching approaches of the International Baccalaureate.

Currently, Miras International School provides continuous education to students aged 3 to 18 in three languages of instruction: Kazakh, English and Russian. The educational process is organised at three levels — Primary School (ages 3–10), Middle School (ages 10–16) and Upper School (Grade 11 Kazakhstani programme; Grades 11–12 IB DP).

Miras Almaty has been authorised to run all three International Baccalaureate Programmes — PYP, MYP and DP — and is one of 272 schools worldwide authorised for all three. It was the first of four schools in the Central Asian region authorised to offer the IBDP.

Miras Almaty has been recognised and accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) since June 2005. From 1999 until 2014 it had experimental status awarded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2002 the school was accredited by Cambridge University as an International Examination Center for IGCSE. Miras is also a member of the UNESCO Schools Association (since 2001) and the Association of International Baccalaureate Schools of CIS (since 2006).

The campus is located in an ecologically clean area of the city. Classrooms are equipped with modern teaching and learning tools, including science and computer laboratories, art, music, drama and dance facilities, two libraries, a swimming pool, football field, two gyms, a work-out room and a climbing wall.

Education for students aged 3–18

Miras International School provides continuous education to students aged 3 to 18, organised at three levels:

• 1st level — Primary School: Pre-school (age 3–5), Kindergarten (age 5–6), Grades 1–5 (age 6–11) with the following combinations of languages of instruction: English/Kazakh; English/Russian.
• 2nd level — Middle School: Grades 6–10 (age 11–16) with Kazakh, English and Russian as languages of instruction.
• 3rd level — Upper School: Grade 11 Kazakhstani programme (Kazakh and Russian); Grades 11–12 IB DP (English).

International Baccalaureate Programs and Kazakhstani National Education Standards

Miras Almaty International School has been authorised to run all three International Baccalaureate Programmes — PYP, MYP (with the MYP Certificate recognised as equivalent to the Republic of Kazakhstan's Certificate of Secondary General Education) and DP, leading to a qualification recognised by leading universities world-wide. The school also supports Kazakhstani National Education Standards.

Entrance to top universities around the world without admission tests

The school's status gives its graduates privileges when enrolling at the top overseas universities and colleges, and enables IB Diploma Program graduates to enter the best universities in the world without taking entrance exams. Miras graduates also receive national secondary education certificates.

Three languages of instruction

Students study in three languages — Kazakh, English and Russian — with additional support for French, Chinese and other languages. Language skills are developed across all subject areas as part of each subject's programme. All Miras language programmes are designed to balance language knowledge (reading, writing, speaking), knowledge about languages (grammar, vocabulary), and learning through languages (mastering scientific, mathematical and social concepts).

Overseas and Kazakhstani teachers

Miras Almaty has an experienced team of Kazakhstani and overseas teachers who not only have a strong theoretical foundation in their disciplines but also the ability to develop the intellectual and creative potential of each student.

Inquiry-based approach to learning and teaching

Inquiry and research are the main approach to learning. Students learn to deeply understand important concepts; transform search results into knowledge of local and global importance; recognise and apply priority skills (communication, thinking, self-management); develop a positive attitude towards learning, the environment and people; and take part in fulfilling responsible tasks for the benefit of the society.

Inclusive education

Inclusive education at Miras provides students with diverse abilities and learning needs with the necessary support in a comfortable environment. The curriculum is adapted to each student's individual learning style and pace, and psychological and pedagogical support is available where required. Students with special educational needs gain valuable social experience in a mainstream school environment, while all Miras students develop empathy, responsibility and independent learning skills by sharing classrooms with peers of differing abilities and perspectives.

Safe environment

The Miras campus is located in an ecologically clean area of Almaty and offers students a safe and supportive learning environment. Security personnel are on the campus around the clock, the school is equipped with video surveillance, and all families are issued access cards. Regular earthquake and fire drills are conducted, and evacuation routes are clearly marked in every classroom.

Music school and student-interest clubs

After lessons students can join clubs based on their interests, including art, crafts, sports, ICT, chess, dance, drama, foreign languages and swimming. The Miras club programme is engaging, educational and supports the development of students' personal interests outside of class.

Achieve!

School assemblies are held throughout the year where students share their achievements in studies, extracurricular activities, sports, and city, republican and international Olympiads and competitions.