Galaxy International School

Galaxy International School is located in Almaty, Kazakhstan, at Microdistrict 4, 9 (postal code A10A5M5). The direct contacts are +7 702 203 00 20 and +7 727 243 77 80, and the email is info@galaxy.edu.kz. Directions provide a map via 2GIS.

Primary and Secondary levels, following the Cambridge Curriculum: Cambridge Primary; Cambridge Lower Secondary; Cambridge Upper Secondary; Cambridge Advanced.

International school offering Cambridge International Programmes and Qualifications.

Educational psychologist and a full-time school psychologist provide learning support, including counselling and assessment. Homeroom teachers offer additional assistance to individual students.

Kazakhstan

Day starts 08:40 and ends 16:10. There are eight lessons with scheduled snacks and breaks; snacks are 09:20-09:35 and 14:20-14:35, and lunch is 12:50-13:30. Clubs or prep run 15:15-16:10.

Primary (Grade 0–5) core subjects English, Mathematics, Science and Global Perspectives follow the Cambridge Primary Pathway and are taught in English, with Computing, Fine Art, Music and Physical Education also taught in English. Kazakh language (Reading & Writing) is offered as part of the Kazakh National Curriculum, and from Grade 2 students may choose Turkish, Russian or Korean as Modern Foreign Languages. Cambridge Primary is benchmarked with consistent standards and uses Cambridge Primary Progression Tests and Cambridge Primary Checkpoint for assessment. Lower Secondary Curriculum (Grades 6–8) covers English, Mathematics and Science and is designed to prepare students for IGCSE, with Cambridge Lower Secondary Progression Tests and Checkpoint used for assessment. Upper Secondary Curriculum (Grades 9–10) follows a two-year IGCSE programme with students sitting at least five IGCSE subjects in the May/June series, forming a foundation for AS/A Levels or the IB Diploma. AS/A Levels Curriculum describes Cambridge A Levels as the Cambridge qualification; typically three subjects over two years, with AS and A2 components, six grades (A–E), and university admissions worldwide; students also study English, Pure Mathematics, Physical Education and local compulsory subjects, choosing additional subjects from available options.

Approximately 6:1 (415 students and 66 teachers)

Career Counselling provides university admissions guidance; individual counselling addresses academic, social and personal needs; classroom guidance in Upper Secondary covers university admissions and guest lectures; student appraisals involve counsellors, teachers and parents to plan a feasible career path.

Galaxy International School offers a structured social and emotional learning program across Primary and Secondary. In Primary, Personal, Social, Health & Education (PSHE) helps children understand themselves and others, develop relationships, build positive self-esteem, form values, and make healthy choices. It also develops decision-making and assertiveness and promotes a healthy lifestyle. In Secondary, Pastoral Care provides mentoring and a comprehensive programme that embeds social, moral, spiritual and cultural development throughout learning. The guiding statements emphasize balancing academic guidance with psychological support and developing emotional resilience, international-mindedness and respect. Together these elements aim to prepare students to be confident, responsible global citizens.

The school provides Learning Support in Primary with access to an Educational Psychologist and a dedicated Pastoral Care team. The primary programme supports students to reach their full potential and address individual needs. The Secondary Learning Support programme is designed to help students with mild learning difficulties advance in a mainstream environment. Key services include an Educational Psychologist, EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, a homeroom teacher and co-curricular support. These supports help students develop self-awareness, confidence and independent study habits.

EAL support is provided in the Secondary School. EAL sessions are provided in English and focus on bridging identified gaps in ability. The course is individualized to address the specific needs of each student and will be coordinated with the current core content curriculum being taught. The aim is to enable the child to transfer to the mainstream class.

Mental wellbeing is supported through a full-time school psychologist who provides counselling for issues including school refusal, anxiety, depression, anger and peer difficulties. The school psychologist also conducts assessments of social, emotional and coping skills. PSHE and Pastoral Care contribute to emotional, intellectual and physical development within the learning experience, with Secondary Pastoral Care offering daily mentoring by a homeroom teacher and a broad programme of activities to support students.

1. Initial inquiry: The Admissions Process begins when candidates or their parents contact GIS Almaty. Staff provide general information about school programmes, admissions process, school daily hours, tuition fees, and vacancies in the class. This stage helps families understand what GIS offers and what to expect next.
2. Admissions examination: Registered candidates take a CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) admissions examination and an interview with the Vice Principal for Academics. The examination assesses cognitive abilities and the interview provides an opportunity to discuss readiness and fit. The combined process helps determine the candidate's suitability for GIS programmes and grade level.
3. Admissions Committee: Formed by the Director, the Admissions Committee evaluates candidates in light of their examination results, age, candidate priority status, previous school records, class vacancies and other criteria when making enrolment decisions. The committee considers all information before making a decision to enrol or reject the candidate. The decision is then announced to the public.
4. Admissions Documents: Having completed basic financial commitments, candidates or their parents/carers submit all the admissions documents in a manner specified by the School. The School reviews the documents as part of finalising enrolment.
5. Order: The candidates are officially deemed as enrolled by an order issued by the school. This formal order completes the admissions process and confirms enrolment.

Merit-based Discounts: GIS currently enrolled students in grades 2–8 may be eligible for a merit-based discount. Eligibility requires students to score above 90% in all Cambridge examination sections; Grades 2–5 may require recommendation letters from classroom and homeroom teachers, while Grades 6–8 must accumulate 150 merit points by 25 May. The discount applies for one academic year and cannot be combined with other offers, except for early payment and sibling discounts. The discount amount is 10%. Applications are not necessary; students achieving over 90% on progression or checkpoint tests are automatically eligible.
Merit-based Scholarships: For current GIS students in grades 10–12, the GIS Scholarship Program provides a tuition discount and textbook coverage for one academic year, with renewal contingent on meeting criteria. Selection criteria include high scores in IGCSE or AS-level examinations, a minimum of 150 merit points, notable achievements in academics, sports, or the arts, community engagement, and a GPA of 85% or higher. Recipients must maintain academic excellence, a clean disciplinary record, and active contributions to the school community; the scholarship is renewable annually through examination and cannot be combined with other discounts except for certain allowances. Applications should be sent by email to the Secondary Principal with relevant certificates and documents by May 25th each year. For 10th Grade: IGCSE results must meet defined criteria (e.g., at least three A grades across specified groups); For 11th Grade: AS-level results require at least two A grades and one B across two subject groups; the scholarship criteria also consider notable accomplishments and community engagement.