About BIS

We are a non-profit community school with 400 students from over 34 countries from age 2 to 18 years old. BIS is an IB World School, offering the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for students age 16–18, which provides entry into many universities worldwide, the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students age 11-13 and the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students age 3-10. For students age 14-16 we provide the accredited Cambridge IGCSE programme to provide a strong basis to enter the IB Diploma Programme. BIS is also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Council for International Schools, providing international accreditation of our High School Diploma and by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, to provide national school completion certificates following state examination. Beyond the academic curriculum, the school provides a comprehensive education program including PE, Art, Music, Dance and a wide range of extra-curricular activities. 

History of BIS

In spring 2010 some parents who were unhappy with the provision of international education in Bishkek decided to establish a non-profit community school to provide: 

  • High quality international education at reasonable cost
  • Community and parental involvement in the school
  • A broader impact to improve education more widely in the Kyrgyz Republic

Bishkek International School was legally registered on December 1st 2010. The first School Advisory Council meeting was held with the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Roza Otunbaeva, on May 16th 2011 in the Ministry of Education. 

The school building was identified in June 2011 and purchased in July 2011 using founders’ grant contributions, founders’ loans and a bank loan.

The school opened on September 1st 2011 with 20 students age 2 to 10 years old.

Continuous improvement has been a constant feature of the school, with governance by the community to build a great institution with solid foundations providing excellent education for children.

Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision is:

To be a model of excellence in Central Asia providing inspirational education in a happy environment for globally minded students who are the leaders of the future. 

Our Mission is to enable our students to: 

● Develop their intellectual curiosity and achieve their academic, sporting and creative potential; 
● Be confident in their abilities and respectful of others; 
● Learn about local and global issues and prepare to tackle common challenges. 
 

In a school which: 

● Delivers and celebrates excellent teaching for internationally accredited education; 
● Values and demonstrates diversity and inclusivity; 
● Promotes the well-being of the whole school community; 
● Contributes positively to the development of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Our commitment

BIS is a non-profit foundation, founded by the community as a liberal secular and multi-cultural school with transparent governance and operations, providing education in a supportive, family orientated and safe environment. BIS welcomes any individual regardless of their gender, ethnicity, language, political and religious beliefs and everyone is encouraged to take part in all school activities. In accordance with the BIS Charter, in addition to providing excellent education, our mission includes raising awareness of human rights, development of social responsibility, social justice and democratic participation, awareness and tolerance of cultural difference, humanity, development of team spirit, creativity, environment protection and sustainable development. We are a community school, inspiring students who reflect the power of community to achieve extraordinary transformative change for a better world. Our aim is that BIS becomes an exceptional school in Central Asia demonstrating the benefits of our approach to education, inspiring much wider changes in education in the region.

Facilities

While being within central Bishkek, not far from the Bishkek Humanitarian University on Chyngyz Aitmatov Ave./Gagarin St., the actual school location is in a quiet residential area well away from the dangers of major roads. This is a wonderful safe place for children to spend the day. 

One of the main reasons for choosing this site was the large outdoor play area. We have a full-size basketball court and a real grass playing field, giving students the space they need to play and enjoy themselves at break times. Development of the school site has avoided building over play areas, so that our school still has the most creative and open outdoor play area of any international school in Bishkek. 

All buildings and facilities are designed and constructed for strong earthquake standards, fire safety and student security. Winter heating has back-up options, including a generator for the occasional power outages. All rooms and common spaces have air purifiers which operate in winter to maintain the inside air quality index below 50 for PM2.5, Our air quality policy  restricts outdoor play according to air quality via PurpleAir monitors in our playground and library.

School teaching facilities include: 

  • Three Preschool classrooms and dedicated outdoor play area with natural materials.
  • Eight Primary Form classrooms
  • Three Science Laboratories
  • Music room
  • Art Room
  • Makerspace room
  • Ten Specialist Teaching Rooms
  • Primary Library
  • Middle/High School Library
  • Dance & Drama Hall
  • Large Multi-purpose hall for indoor sports and school performances
  • Full kitchen to serve the preschool/early primary dining room and the main school café