Primary school at Astana Garden International School is a space where children do not learn “subjects in isolation”, but explore big ideas and questions connected to real life: family, society, nature, technology and culture.

The Primary School delivers a curriculum that is built on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) framework and aligned with national standards, along with distinctive AGIS components.

The PYP is an International Baccalaureate programme for learners aged 3 to 12; it offers a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based and student-centered framework. At its core is inquiry-based learning, where knowledge, skills, and personal development are built as an integrated whole.
Importantly, the PYP does not include “formal external examinations”. Instead, emphasis is placed on: continuous feedback, observation of progress, self-assessment and student reflection

In primary school, students build a strong foundation across key subject areas (languages, mathematics, arts, science, social studies, physical and personal development), while learning is structured around authentic student inquiry into “big ideas” of global significance. At the same time, each child is viewed as an active agent of their own learning, with a gradual development of independence and responsibility.

In the primary school programme, particular emphasis is placed on a transdisciplinary approach to learning, which enables students to see the world as an interconnected whole and to develop and confidently apply thinking, communication, organizational, research and social skills (ATL skills, Approaches to Learning) that are essential for lifelong learning. The principles of transdisciplinary learning align closely with the Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach.
At its core, Project-Based Learning involves the practical application of knowledge across multiple disciplines through work on meaningful projects, where both ATL skills and a broad range of knowledge are required simultaneously for successful design and implementation.

Primary school offers a bilingual learning environment, with subjects taught in multiple languages:

• Kazakh,
• Russian,
• English + Russian.

From Grade 1, students receive 7 hours of English per week. At AGIS, English is not just an “additional  language subject” — it is a learning environment: students learn to think, express ideas and create in two languages, gradually transferring these skills into mathematics, research, projects and creative work. This gradual progression prepares students for increased English-medium learning in Grades 5–8 and a full English-medium instruction starting from Grade 9

AI-грамотность сегодня становится базовой компетенцией: она включает умение понимать, критически оценивать и безопасно использовать AI-инструменты.
В начальной школе закладывается «цифровая и AI-культура»:

• умение распознавать, где ребёнку помогает технология, а где важно думать самостоятельно;
• учиться задавать вопросы,
• проверять источники и обсуждать этическую сторону (что «честно» в учебной работе, как защищать личные данные, почему нельзя слепо доверять ответу).

In the IB system, ATL skills (Approaches to Learning) are a core component of the educational process and are integrated across all IB programmes: PYP, MYP and CP. ATL skills represent the ability to learn effectively and consists of five groups of skills:

• cognitive (thinking) skills
• research skills
• communication skills
• social skills
• self-management skills

ATL skills are embedded into the academic programme at every stage of student development.

Astana Garden International School supports ATL development through continuous methodological work focused on specific skill groups.

A unified approach connects all programmes into a continuous learning pathway:

1. PYP builds the foundation for “learning how to learn”
2. MYP develops structured academic thinking
3. IB CP transforms these into professional competencies

ATL is not a separate subject — it is a systemic tool for developing student skills throughout the IB journey.

ATL SKILLS (APPROACHES TO LEARNING)

High School (CP)

Middle School (MYP)

Primary school (PYP)

The outcome of primary education within the PYP framework is not only a strong academic foundation, but also essential lifelong skills: asking questions, conducting inquiry, expressing ideas clearly, working collaboratively and understanding connections between disciplines. This is why the PYP framework is built around six transdisciplinary themes, which serve as the foundation for the Programme of Inquiry, connecting learning across and beyond subject areas.

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