Ashgabat International School

The Ashgabat International School is an international school in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. It is a private, non-profit day school which offers an educational program from a 3 to 4 year old program through high school for students of all nationalities. High school students may take courses by distance learning through the University of Nebraska High School Correspondence Program. School staff monitors all distance learning courses. The school was founded in 1994.

Organization

The school is governed by Quality Schools International, a private, non-profit organization that organizes and operates international schools. The school also has a local Advisory Board composed of 6 to 10 members and a Parental Involvement Committee.

Curriculum

The curriculum is founded on the principles of mastery learning and is similar to that of U.S. general academic public schools. Instruction is in English. Russian is taught from beginning level through fluency. Intensive English is available at all grade levels. Coursework at each age level is generally composed of the following: reading, language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, physical education, music, art, computer, typing, and library. The School is fully accredited by both the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools from prekindergarten through grade 9.

Faculty

In the 2004-2005 school year, there are 7 full-time faculty members. The school also employs 7 host-country teacher assistants.

Enrollment

At the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year, enrollment was 54 (PK through grade 11).

Facilities

The facility, which was completed in July 1998, is situated on a site of 50,000 square metres behind the U.S. housing complex. Located in the foothills of the Berzengi district, the building overlooks the city and the Saparmurat Niyazov Turkmenbashi museum. The new facility includes central air conditioning and heating, a 3,000 volume library, 8 classrooms, 15 computers and other resources. The fenced campus includes a regulation-sized grassed soccer field, a volleyball court, a half-court basketball area, a baseball backstop, and playground equipment.

Finances

In the 2004-2005 school year, about 95 percent of the School's income derives from regular school tuition. Annual tuition rates were as follows: PK: $4,600; kindergarten grade 11: $11,800. A limited number of scholarships are available for Turkmen students only. All fees are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Sources

This article has been adapted from information released by the US State Department's Office of Overseas Schools on December 9, 2004, a public domain source. http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/1484.htm