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Baku International School

Azerbaijan, Baku

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 180
Type Co-educational
Opened 1994
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages French, German, Spanish
Strengths Sport, STEM, Performing Arts
Clubs Leadership and Professional, Community and Service, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Baku International School offers an American college-prep program for students aged 2 to 18. As a member of Quality Schools International, BIS follows the QSI mastery-learning model, with English as the language of instruction and Advanced Placement courses as a core pathway to college readiness. Graduates earn an American High School diploma with three options—General Diploma, Academic Diploma, and Academic Diploma with Honors—with the AP Capstone Diploma as an additional pathway. BIS is affiliated with the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges. The campus in the Ganjlik district features renovated facilities, a 500-seat auditorium, a two-level library, science labs, a makerspace, and art and music rooms, plus computer labs. Outdoor fields, a track, a gym, and a cafeteria support activities including NHS, Student Council, Week Without Walls, and CEESA participation. Within a diverse international community.

Darnagul Qasabasi Str Ajami Nakchivani Block 3097 Baku, Block 3097 Əcəmi Naxçıvani, Bakı 1108, Azerbaijan

The Essentials

Baku International School has 180 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Darnagul Qasabasi Str., Ajami Nakchivani Block 3097, Baku AZ1108, Azerbaijan. The school is in the Ajami Nakchivani area of Baku and is accessible via local roads. A door-to-door bus service is available for students.

Stages
Preschool through Secondary School

Type
International school (Quality Schools International member)

Pupil Nationality Mix
Number of nationalities represented: 29.

Additional learning support
QSI provides learning support; BIS follows QSI's approach to accommodating students with identified learning needs; for more information contact BIS.

Country affiliation
Affiliated with the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools.

Bus service
Door-to-door bus service is available in comfortable vans. Drivers are licensed and experienced; pick-up and drop-off locations are arranged at convenient home addresses. Morning and afternoon services are available; the service is for students only; the cost is available in the BIS office and payments can be made by term or by year; service is not drop-in.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Fresh, healthy food is cooked on-site by certified cafeteria staff. Weekly lunch menus offer a balanced, nutritious meal with a variety of international dishes, and host-country dishes appear one day each week. Purified water is available throughout the school via fountains and filling stations; snacks are available for older students, and preschool and elementary students should bring a mid-morning snack.

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of Quality Schools International (QSI) network.
Academics

Baku International School teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
The school follows an American college preparatory curriculum including Advanced Placement (AP) classes. The language of instruction is English. Graduating students earn an American High School diploma, with three diploma options: General Diploma, Academic Diploma, and Academic Diploma with Honors; the AP Capstone Diploma is available as an additional pathway (AP Seminar and AP Research).

Student Teacher Ratio
Enrollment is 191 students (PK–Secondary IV). The school has 29 teachers, for approximately 6.6 students per teacher.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates matriculate to universities worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe. Notable destinations include UC Berkeley, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, American University Washington DC, Boston University, University of Toronto, York University, University of Amsterdam Applied Sciences, KU Leuven, RMIT, Tsukuba University, and Yonsei University.

Gifted and Talented
AP courses are available, including the AP Capstone Diploma pathway (AP Seminar and AP Research).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Baku International School Counseling Services provide academic, career, and personal/social supports to students and families. The counselor offers personal, social, and emotional supports in a safe, confidential space and provides individual support when needed, as well as mediation of conflicts between students and between students and teachers. Family and community supports help build strong BIS relationships and assist with arrivals and departures, including check-ins and transitional activities. The counseling program also includes academic supports and career/university counseling to support student well-being and success.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
BIS has a special needs policy to provide accommodations for students with identified learning differences and, when necessary, modifications to the curriculum. The policy aims to enable all students to be successful in the QSI environment; for details on specific learning support services, contact BIS.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Intensive English program serves students aged 6 and up whose English proficiency limits access to mainstream instruction. The program aims to develop basic interpersonal communication and academic English across speaking, listening, reading, and writing, in a four-skill framework. It features small class sizes, an individualized program, pull-out language support, and collaboration with the classroom teacher to support subject-area courses.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through BIS Counseling Services. A full-time counselor provides personal, social, and emotional supports and offers a safe space for students. The counselor also provides family and community supports, academic supports, and career/university counseling as part of the BIS student-services program.

Safeguarding
BIS is committed to safeguarding and to providing a safe and nurturing environment. All employees must report suspected incidences of abuse or neglect, and safeguarding is a CEESA priority with school policies and ongoing training. BIS uses the CEESA Safeguarding and Child Protection Statement and Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum to teach students about safety, relationships, recognizing and reporting abuse, and protective strategies.
Parent Experience

History
Baku International School is a member of Quality Schools International (QSI), a nonprofit consortium of American‑style international schools. QSI has 35+ schools in 29 countries, with headquarters in Malta. BIS was founded in 1994. It is affiliated with the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools and fully accredited by the Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges. BIS follows the QSI mastery‑learning educational model and offers an American college‑prep curriculum with English as the language of instruction, including Advanced Placement courses.

Community
BIS hosts events throughout the school year, including Fall Festival, Fine Arts Festival, and International Day. The Fall Festival is an annual event organized by the Student Council. The Fine Arts Festival is hosted by the Parent Support Group (PSG) and features student performances, a student art auction, and a basket raffle. International Day celebrates the school's diverse community with a Parade of Nations and a day of cultural activities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
BIS has a Parent Support Group (PSG) to involve BIS parents in school life. BIS states that parent involvement is crucial for student success and maintains an active PSG with monthly meetings. The PSG contributes through communication to improve parent–school dialogue, coordination of educational and social events, fundraising, and volunteering at BIS. PSG members frequently assist teachers in the classroom and help organize school‑wide events. All BIS parents are encouraged to join and participate in the PSG.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Baku International School's campus is in the Ganjlik district of Baku. The building was originally constructed in 1987 and renovated in 2018 to meet current safety standards; a security grant from the United States government added a security-screening entry facility and camera surveillance. The grounds are fully enclosed by a high wall and screening entryway, with playground equipment that meets safety standards and many pieces purchased from the United States. The campus includes updated classrooms and offices, a large cafeteria with an industrial kitchen, a 500-seat auditorium, an Early Childhood center, an art room, a music room, three high-tech computer labs, a two-level library, inquiry science labs, a dedicated makerspace, and a gymnasium. Outdoor spaces include outdoor classrooms, a padded artificial turf soccer field, a large playground with a jungle gym and swings, and a 350-meter outdoor track.

Sports Facilities
The school has a gymnasium and fitness/cardio room. There is a covered soccer field with padded artificial turf and a 350-meter outdoor track. Equipment supports soccer, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, pickleball, badminton, and other activities.

Academic Facilities
Three high-tech computer labs. Two-level library. Inquiry science labs. Dedicated makerspace workshop. Fully stocked art room and a music room. The auditorium seats 500 and a technology lab supports digital learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The program includes drama, music, art, technology, and sports. Students participate in sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, pickleball, badminton, and other activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Extracurricular and enrichment programs are an integral part of BIS. BIS offers activities in athletics, fine arts, STEM, and more. National Honor Society and Student Council provide leadership, service, and opportunities to interact beyond the regular curriculum. Week Without Walls provides experiential learning with cultural immersion, historical-site visits, and service projects for secondary students.

Arts & Creative
In the elementary level, students engage in music and visual arts classes several times a week. The music program teaches both vocal and instrumental skills. Middle school and secondary students continue with music and art and may take drama, studio art, and art history. Extracurricular offerings include ceramics, origami, and other arts activities.

Cultural & Language
The BIS community includes students from over 29 nationalities, fostering cultural awareness. Week Without Walls offers cultural immersion experiences, such as visits to historical sites and participation in local communities. The activity program encourages interactions among students from diverse backgrounds across disciplines.

Social & Hobbies
Student Council is an active chapter of NASC with elections for middle and secondary students each fall. The Student Council runs weekly activities and fundraisers for dances, trips, movie nights, and other school events. Week Without Walls provides experiential activities that broaden social experiences beyond the regular curriculum.

Community & Service
National Honor Society is actively involved in school and community events. NHS offers leadership development and service opportunities, plus resources for college admission planning and scholarships. Week Without Walls includes service projects in local communities.

Leadership & Professional
National Honor Society offers leadership development opportunities, including LEAD Conferences and State Summits. The Student Council provides leadership roles with elected officers and ongoing service activities. NHS membership includes access to college-admission resources, webinars, and scholarship opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
BIS offers cross-country running, track-and-field, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. The school is a member of the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA) and the Silk Road Athletic Association, enabling regional tournaments. The extracurricular program promotes learning and physical fitness as a valued leisure-time activity.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches in English. Languages Other than English (LOE) are taught in Preschool and Elementary by specialist teachers. An Intensive English program supports non-native English speakers to reach academic English, and English language proficiency is assessed for admission.
Reputation

Accreditations
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS) accreditation since 2000.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1 - Learn about BIS. Prospective families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with BIS through our website and the school video. This introduces BIS and its educational program to applicants.

Step 2 - Inquiry and School Tour. Before applying, explore BIS's programs and campus community on the BIS site.

Step 3 - Online Application. Complete the BIS Online Application Form at qsi-baku.openapply.com and submit in full for the file to be considered; early applications are encouraged to guarantee a seat. Upload documents including passport copies for student and parents, immunization records, previous school records, a passport-size photo, and pay the one-time non-refundable $300 application processing and testing fee.

Step 4 - Review Process. Admission evaluation and assessment (placement test and interview) are conducted to determine fit and placement. The test covers reading, language, and mathematics for students aged 7 and above; the interview is conducted by the Director of Instruction.

Step 5 - Admissions Decision and Registration. After review, BIS notifies applicants by email of the decision. There are three outcomes: an Offer of Placement if criteria and space exist; a waiting list placement if no class spot is available; or non-acceptance if BIS determines it is not the best fit.

Waitlist
If BIS accepts an applicant but no spots are available in the appropriate class, the child is placed on the waiting list. As soon as a spot becomes available, it will be offered to a suitable student on the waiting list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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