Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: Ashgabat International School: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

Founded in 1994, Ashgabat International School (AIS) is a non-profit U.S. accredited school offering educational programs from age two through High School. The 180-day school year extends from August to mid-June and includes a one-week fall break, a three-week winter break, a one-week spring break and observes Turkmen holidays. Status reports are distributed to parents five times per year at the completion of each quintile.

Organization: AIS is one of 35 schools around the world governed by the Board of Directors of Quality Schools International. In addition, a school advisory board, composed of four to eight members, who reside in Ashgabat, assist the school in its daily operations.

Curriculum: The curriculum is founded on the principles of mastery learning. Instructional materials are shipped from the United States. Instruction is in English, but foreign language (Russian, German, French) is part of the curriculum starting in the six-year-old program through high school. Course work at each age level includes reading, writing, mathematics, science, cultural studies, physical education, music, art, computer and library. Secondary students have choice of taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Intensive English is available to non-English speaking students. AIS is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, AIS has 93 total staff, including 44 teachers, 12 of whom are U.S. citizens, 27 host-country nationals, and 5 third-country nationals. Our faculty and staff represent 6 nationalities including United States, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. All teaching faculty maintain a teaching certificate/credential e.g., Diploma of Teaching/registered Teacher’s certificate and many hold master’s degrees.

Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, enrollment was 285. Of the total, 25 were U.S. citizens, 194 were host-country nationals, and 66 were third-country nationals.

Facilities: AIS is a new, beautiful, school located beside the new U.S. Embassy complex. It includes more than 40 classrooms, a library, three computer labs, a cafetorium, a performance center, a large gym, a fitness facility, three science labs, two art rooms, and a STEAM room. There is also a commercial kitchen from which the school offers a snack and hot lunch program. Outdoor areas include playgrounds, track, soccer field, and tennis courts.

Finances: Annual tuition rates are as follows: Early childhood (two- to four-years-old) half-day program: $7,200.00 and full-day program $9,700.00. 5-year-old (K)-Secondary (High School) $23,000.00 Annual Capital Fund Fee of $1,600.00 One-time Registration Fee $300.00 Bus Service $1,550 per year. Daily hot lunch is paid in local currency and the amount is determined by Term.

Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2023 and are provided by the school.