Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Report of what it's like to live there - 06/09/26
Personal Experiences from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
School Name:
Ashgabat International School
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Parent
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
2025/26: Grades 5, 7, 10
3. What years did you live here?
2025-27
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Diplomatic mission
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
I hear that the French construction company runs a French-language school that is exclusively for their staff. At least one employee opted to send their child to AIS instead. Local schools include Russian and Turkish language schools. AIS is the only true international school option.
Admissions & Welcome:
1. Are the admissions and placement procedures clearly stated to prospective families, either on the school website or through other means of communication?
Admissions process was painless. The majority of the school staff are out of town during the summer break, so we didn't finalize enrollment until right before the school year started. You do have to dig a bit to get all the information you need. The key is to just keep emailing over and over until you get all your questions answered.
2. How would you rate the school's support and welcome/integration of new students and their families, and why?
The school is very welcoming of new students. My children were offered a school tour prior to the start of the school year. Information automatically offered to new families is basic. Again, this is a situation where you need to be proactive and keep asking questions until you get all the information that you need.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. How is the overall communication between teachers and parents, and the administration and parents? How is communication facilitated?
The school sends a weekly email newsletter in English and Russian. Communication about school events is often last-minute, or lacking in key details. If you are part of the parent support group, there is a WhatsApp group which may have more information shared. Unfortunately, the school tends to disseminate information to the students, and then the parents rely on the students actually passing on the information. Your experience will likely vary depending on if your child remembers to pass along permission slips.
2. Aside from school fees, are there required expenses such as uniforms, laptops/tablets, musical instruments, or field trips that parents are expected to cover? What are the approximate costs?
There are not many additional expenses. Local prices are low, so occasional fees for field trips or activities are nominal (USD $10-$20 for a typical field trip). No uniforms, and students are not required to have their own laptops/tablets (although High School students may find it helpful to have a laptop of their own).
Academics & Resources:
1. What personal or academic counseling resources are available at this school? Is there a dedicated college counselor at the school? Is he/she familiar with universities worldwide?
The school has an academic counselor who is big on college admissions and will organize virtual or in-person events to help students learn about various global university opportunities.
2. Does the school have a library? How large is it? How updated are the books? Can students borrow books to read at home?
There is a small library. My child in elementary will check out books and bring them home. My children in MS and HS never speak about the library, so I'm not sure if it has much of interest for them.
3. What are the technology requirements for students? Do they need their own laptops/ipads? How is technology integrated into the classroom and homework?
Students do not need their own devices, although HS students may find having their own laptop helpful.
4. How are information technology resources at the school. Are they up-to-date? Is there a computer lab?
Technology classes are offered for all grade levels. At least two computer labs in the school that are nicely equipped. Because of space issues at the school, the computer labs are often used as classrooms.
5. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
No pool. A good indoor gym. Outdoors there is a nice astro turf sports field with a running track.
6. What is the approximate teacher-to-student ratio in the grades that your child attended?
average probably 25:1 in elementary, tapering off to small classes in High school of 3-12 students per subject class (not grade level).
7. Are Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses available in upper grades? If this is an IB school, is the full diploma required of all students?
AIS offers several in-person AP classes each year, and students also have access to a full range of online AP classes through QSI's online school.
8. Are students generally challenged appropriately by the curriculum? Please describe any particular strengths or weaknesses in this area. Do you have any thoughts how the curriculum is applied and implemented at this school?
This is a QSI school. My kids have found it pretty easy, academically. The "mastery learning" approach translates into many students choosing to be lazy and to wait until the last few weeks of school to complete all of the required units for each course. This can be frustrating for students who try to stay on task and finish requirements at the suggested pace, because they will inevitably end up waiting for the rest of the class to catch up. However, the online AP courses are quite rigorous and demand a lot of work. The school philosophy is that no one fails. You just keep trying until you master each concept. This can be great for children who struggle, but very annoying for high achievers.
9. Is the amount and type of homework generally appropriate for the age and grade of the students?
In practice, this varies widely depending on the teacher. My children have had some classes in which they were inundated with homework, some in which the amount was quite reasonable, and classes in which they never seemed to do much of anything in or out of class.
10. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
There is an elementary musical and a secondary musical each year. Visual arts and photography are standard electives. The music program varies from year to year, depending on which kids are in the school and what instruments they play, but overall I would say that the music program is quite weak. Students will form ensembles, but there is no real band or orchestra. That said, there are good local options for private instruction in music which are quite affordable (though it is helpful to speak Russian).
11. Are the teachers at the school required to speak English as a first language--or at least fluently?
Yes, all teachers speak fluent English.
12. What services are available for gifted/advanced students at the school? Please describe your experience with these services, if applicable.
Advanced students can take more challenging online classes, AP courses. There is no actual gifted program. It is common to move kids up or down in different subjects, such as reading and math, according to their ability.
13. What extra-curricular activities (including sports) are available at this school? Have your children participated in these activities? What activities do you feel are missing at the school?
There are after-school clubs, including sports. None of the sports are competitive. They will arrange games with local Turkmen schools, but overall sports are more for fun, not serious skill building. The school did attempt to arrange a few international trips for various school clubs (basketball, model UN, etc), but they eventually abandoned the effort this year. Such trips were quite expensive, and local regulations make it very difficult for Turkmen students (the majority of the school population) to travel internationally. It's hard to go to an international basketball tournament when half of your team can't leave the country.
Other clubs include things like chess, dance, crochet/embroidery, Lego, etc. Clubs change five times per year.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Do expatriate students socialize with local students at the school? Are both groups successfully integrated into the school culture?
The majority of the school is local Turkmen students from upper class families. There is no real issues with bullying or exclusion, and expats and locals seems to mix together well.
2. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
My children have not experienced any bullying or exclusionary behavior.
Overall Impressions:
1. What letter grade (ranging from A, excellent, to F, fail) would you assign to this school based on your overall experience? Would you choose it again?
C
2. Please describe some of your child's/children's highlights and challenges during their time at this school.
Highlights: It's a small school, so kids can be involved in whatever activities they choose. No worries about trying out and not "making the team."
Challenges: Not academically challenging, frustrations with QSI system
3. Please tell us anything else you think prospective parents and students should know about this school. Thanks for your contribution!
The school is what you make of it. If you are willing to advocate for what your children need and be involved, you will likely have a more positive experience. There is potential to get a good education, and to be involved in extracurriculars, but manage expectations.
