Astana Canadian School conducts its inaugural graduation ceremony for its first batch of students
The Canadian International School - Astana (CIS-Astana) has recently made headlines as it celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of students on June 20, 2025, at the National Museum. This significant milestone marks a new era in the educational landscape of Astana, Kazakhstan.
Established in 2022, CIS-Astana offers a curriculum based on the British Columbia (Canada) school program, providing students with government-certified diplomas recognized both in Canada and Kazakhstan. This means students graduate with Dogwood Diplomas, British Columbia’s official graduation certificates awarded to those meeting the provincial requirements for grades 10-12.
The school's academic excellence is evident in the achievements of its students, who secured prizes in chemistry, English, Kazakh, and French languages at the national level during the 2024-2025 academic year. Graduates have been accepted into universities worldwide, with many receiving financial grants and full-ride scholarships, highlighting the school's strong university preparation support.
CIS-Astana's success is also attributed to its accreditation by the ARQA (Independent Agency for Recognition and Quality Assurance in Education). This accreditation covers all areas of the school's work, including curricula, teacher qualifications, safety, school environment, and opportunities for student development, ensuring high educational standards.
The school's program is supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Education and Child Care, which facilitates the recognition of the British Columbia Dogwood Diplomas internationally. CIS-Astana also benefits from top academic advisors and maintains educational initiatives promoting collaboration between Canada and Kazakhstan.
In addition to its academic focus, CIS-Astana's educational system combines Canadian and Kazakhstani approaches and fosters patriotism. This is evident in the development of a board game named Ulytau, based on Kazakh history, by Raushan Akimbekova, a history teacher at CIS-Astana.
The formation of an international level of education in Kazakhstan based on national identity continues to attract the attention of both parents and the professional community. The steady development of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Canada in the field of higher and secondary education is further evidenced by partnerships such as the APEC Training Center for the Oil and Gas Industry in Atyrau, which operates with SAIT Polytechnic acting as a strategic partner, and the Bolashak International Scholarship, which has established partnerships with 10 leading Canadian universities.
The Ulytau Educational Foundation, the founder of the Canadian International School - Astana, provides financial support to students from socially vulnerable segments of the population. Since 2022, the amount of the scholarship awarded by the Ulytau Educational Foundation exceeded 1 billion tenge.
In conclusion, CIS-Astana is a reputable international school in Kazakhstan offering Canadian curriculum-backed education with recognized accreditation and strong university pathways. Its achievements and partnerships not only strengthen cultural and professional ties between the two countries but also expand opportunities for Kazakhstani students, providing them with access to world-class educational standards.
At CIS-Astana, students are not only provided with a renowned education based on the British Columbia school program, but also have the opportunity to learn through online resources, enhancing their education-and-self-development. Additionally, the school's programs, accredited by ARQA, offer a comprehensive learning experience, covering all aspects of academic excellence and personal growth within the online-education domain.
