International School of Almaty was originally part of Public School No 105, a highly regarded school of the Kazakh National education system. After gaining IB MYP authorization in 1999, International School of Almaty became an independent private school catering to the needs of a largely local population 320 students, from Grades 1-Grade 11. Instruction is largely in Russian, although English and Kazakh are being introduced at all levels of the school, along with the IB PYP and MYP programmes. The Kazakh diploma is also offered to all graduates following the completion of Grade 11.
In 2001, International School of Almaty came under the umbrella of the Nursultan Nazarbaev Educational Foundation and along with the MIRAS schools, is supervised by a joint management contract with CIS, with the major aim of becoming a fully accredited school in the near future.
The International School of Almaty is a non-profit, independent, day school enrolling over 300 students from many nationalities in Grade 1 - Grade 11 (ages 6-17). The mission of the School is to educate the whole person through an emphasis on varied sound learning practices, many of which emphasis the student's active role in the learning process. This approach represents a substantive development in the educational paradigm in Kazakhstan. Within a supportive environment, students are enabled to develop into independent life-learners, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens who contribute positively to the global community. The philosophy of the School is to establish and maintain an educational environment that encourages the spiritual and intellectual growth and integrity of its students. The school fosters critical thinking and enquiry-based learning to assure students of their individual worth, and to help them discover their potential as individuals, as well as members of the global community.