Our Montessori and International Baccalaureate Curriculum

Pre-school

KIS uses the Montessori method that provides a stimulating environment for young children, ages 2? to 5 years old to learn about their environment through “the freedom of movement” and the “education of their senses”. Research based on longitudinal studies of the importance of pre-school in later life, it has been shown that pre-school attendance improves the future success of children not only while they are in school but later in life.¹

The classroom in a Montessori School is called “The Prepared Environment”. Everything is child-sized. Materials are laid out in an orderly fashion; everything has its own place and is within easy reach. This promotes independence and allows freedom of choice. The environment is simple yet pleasing. It is not over stimulating or over-crowded. The children are “vertically” grouped and not segregated by age or sex.ii We have a very high teacher to child ratio in the pre-school, averaging one teacher for every 5 children. This insures that every child is encouraged to “learn” everything they can from the stimulating environment provided.

The language of instruction is English. Russian and Kazakh language training is also available for parents who choose this option for their children. As the children near the end of their pre-school experience, they are prepared for the transition to the International Baccalaureate Curriculum that begins formally in the 1st grade.

Elementary school

The Elementary School consists of Grades 1-5. Beginning in Grade 1, the International Baccalaureate Curriculum is introduced. The teachers in the elementary school work together, or “team” teach, with highly trained specialists providing instruction in mathematics, science, English language instruction, social studies, computer science, a second language, athletics, music, and the arts.

Class size averages 20-25 per grade. Again our emphasis on personalized instruction means that we have a high teacher-student ratio, with an average of 1 teacher for each 10 children.

New bright, airy classrooms are being constructed so that the environment is conducive to learning. Each classroom has state of the art information technology aids to maximize the effectiveness of instruction. Every student in the elementary school will have computer access and will be trained on the use of computers to facilitate their education.

An Elementary School IB Coordinator insures that the IB Curriculum is taught to standard and is available to work with parents and students to insure that each student meets yearly learning goals as set by the IB Curriculum.

International Baccalaureate Organization: Primary Years Programme (PDF, 1 MB)

Middle school

The Middle School consists of Grades 6-8. Students will continue their education using the International Baccalaureate Curriculum. Highly trained teachers work as a group to insure that every child receives a personalized, highly competent education.

Class size averages 20-25 per grade. Again our emphasis on personalized instruction means that we have a high teacher-student ratio, with an average of 1 teacher for each 10 children.

An Middle School IB Coordinator insures that the IB Curriculum is taught to standard and is available to work with parents and students to insure that each student meets yearly learning goals as set by the IB Curriculum.

International Baccalaureate Organization: Middle Years Programme (PDF, 1,4 MB)

High school

KIS currently does not have a high school, but will add Grades 9-12 beginning in the fall of 2008. A third floor will be added to the current facility in the summer of 2008 to provide new, spacious classrooms for the high schools. There will be a computer lab, a science lab, and a music hall added at this time.

The International Baccalaureate Curriculum will be used and, by the fall of 2009, the IB Diploma option will be available for outstanding students who seek this additional responsibility and sign of high achievement in the high school academic career.

International Baccalaureate Organization: Diploma Programme (PDF, 1 MB)

¹) Tough Choices or Tough Times: The Report of the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, 2007, National Center of Education and the Economy, p. 77.