By order of the regional education authority dated September 18, 1996, an experimental school with regional status was established at the Institute, based on the developmental learning system. Institute methodologists taught children using an activity-based primary education model. By the second year of study, students became winners of the International Olympiad in five subjects held in Moscow.

The priorities of Kazakhstan’s school education became infrastructure development and preparation for the transition to the updated curriculum. The experience of Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools was disseminated. A foundation was laid for the phased transition to the updated content of secondary education. The State Educational Standard for primary education was adopted. Pilot testing of updated curricula was conducted in 30 schools nationwide, including Grade 1 classes at School No. 39 in Ust-Kamenogorsk and the Abai School in the Kokpekti District of East Kazakhstan Region.