Quick summary of key school information
School details
| Number of students |
422 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
27 |
| Most common nationality |
Kazakh |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
4:9 / 45% |
| Native English speaking teachers |
Not all, school has teachers from Kazakhstan, UK, USA, Italy, Philippines, Nigeria, Burundi, Mongolia, Pakistan, and India. |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
School has English learning support classes for both primary and secondary. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Kazakh is core. Selective one from Turkish, German, Korean and Russian. |
| Max. number of students per class |
22 |
| Average number of students per class |
18 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
All classrooms are equipped with interactive boards and needed technological tools. School has STEM, PC and MAC labs. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes, we have practised that during COVID pandemic. |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
While we are a secular school, the uniform is a must in our school, i.e. headscarves are not welcome, |
| How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
We do not have special prayer rooms. |
| External examinations or assessments available |
Primary checkpoint, secondary checkpoint, IGCSE, A Levels |
| Results in these examinations |
In checkpoint exams our school's average score is higher than international average in math and English.
|
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
10 minutes per grade. E.g. maximum of 40 minutes for 4th grade |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
100% |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Our staff are professionals, however, it depends. In some cases, we will require parents to hire an additional SEN teacher that has expertise in the area the student needs. |
| Learning support offered |
Extra help for slow learners, EAL classes and learning support team. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
Project and subject olympiads, debates, university research programs. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
| Entry evaluation for students |
Admission exam, interview with a psychologist, report letter from previous school for secondary students. |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Our school has an entrance evaluation that focuses on assessing English and mathematical proficiency. |
| Waiting list |
Not yet |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
While the new academic year commences in mid-August every year, we gladly accept new student registrations throughout the entire academic year. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
| School start time |
8:30 |
| School finish time |
16:20 |
| Supervised care before/after school |
No |
| School bus service available |
While our school doesn't operate its own bus service, we have established partnerships with several private shuttle providers who have been reliably serving our students for many years. Parents can make individual arrangements with these shuttle services based on their needs and preferences. |
| School provided lunches |
Yes |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
No, students with alternative diet bring their food themselves |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Sports: football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, taekwondo
|
| Sports activities included |
Volleyball, Basketball, Futsal, Football, Gymnastics, Dance |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Volleyball, Basketball, Futsal, Football teams for both boys and girls.
|
| Facilities at the school |
Our facilities include a well-stocked library, science labs, a STEM lab, PC and Mac labs, a conference hall, dedicated classrooms for intellectum (logical and strategic games for primary) and chess, and a picnic area. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
We have a primary gym, a secondary gym, an outdoor workout area, a table tennis area, a playground, and an outdoor basketball field. |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Galaxy International School is an authorized Cambridge International School located in Almaty, the dynamic cultural heart of Central Asia. As a member of CIS and COBIS, we offer Cambridge International Programmes within a supportive and vibrant learning environment. At Galaxy, we champion a holistic approach to education, blending academic rigor with character development and global citizenship. Our Value Based program fosters intellectual curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and provides a rich array of extracurricular opportunities for students to explore their passions. We believe in nurturing well-rounded individuals who are equipped to thrive in an interconnected world. Our commitment to academic excellence is matched by our dedication to instilling core values such as integrity, respect, and international mindedness. We welcome students from diverse backgrounds, creating a community where everyone feels valued and respected. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
Our teaching approach is centered around inquiry-based learning, where students are actively engaged in the learning process through hands-on activities and collaborative projects. We emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, while fostering a love of lifelong learning. Our teachers act as facilitators, guiding students and providing individualized support. We also integrate technology and our core values into all aspects of the curriculum. |