Excelling In Education: The Top 10 International Schools In Phnom Penh

By
on

Cambodia is a country known for its rich history and cultural heritage. With its appeal to expats and international investors, as well as its ambitions to be a middle-income country, there is a wider variety of quality education on offer. We look at the top 10 International Schools in Phnom Penh.

With an increasing number of expatriate families and a growing demand for international education, Cambodia is home to several highly reputable international schools, ranking among the most affordable in the region. 

There are thought to be more than 50 international schools in the capital, some are part of franchises or multi-campuses.

The most recent reports from the International Schools Database suggested that Phnom Penh is the second cheapest city across Asia for international schools in 2022 and again in 2023.

  • The 2022 report indicated that the median prices for international schools in the capital of Cambodia were USD $4,908, with highs of USD $20,340 per annum. 
  • In 2023, the median price was USD $5,120, but the maximum school fees are in excess of USD $20,000. The most affordable international schools are USD $2,400 in Phnom Penh at the start of 2024.

We will explore the top 10 international schools in Cambodia, institutions that prioritise academic excellence, holistic development, and a global perspective in their educational approach and a range of curricula following American, British, Australian, and French curricula.

Northbridge International School Cambodia (NISC)

Located in Phnom Penh, NISC is one of Cambodia's leading international schools that offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) program. 

Formed in 1997 and spread across an 8-hectare campus in Phnom Penh, the school offers Early Learning, Primary, and Secondary education and is part of the Nord Anglia network.

NISC focuses on personalised learning, fostering critical thinking, and promoting cultural diversity through a range of extracurricular activities and community service initiatives.

  • Curriculum: IB
  • Ages: 2-18

International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)

ISPP is an internationally accredited school which was established in Phnom Penh in 1989, and today, boasts some of the best educational and extracurricular venues in the country. 

The international school offers an inclusive and diverse learning environment that follows the IB (International Baccalaureate) curriculum from age 3 through to Grade 12 (high school). 

With its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to sustainability, ISPP promotes academic excellence, social responsibility, and global citizenship with its alumni studying at top universities around the world,

  • Curriculum: IB
  • Ages: 3-18

Australian International School Cambodia (AISPP)

The Australian International School Phnom Penh (AISPP) was founded in 2017 in the Cambodian capital and offers the comprehensive Australian National curriculum combined with the IB programmes, and holds accreditations from both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS).

They provide a supportive learning environment with modern facilities and a focus on technology integration. The International Baccalaureate education runs from the Primary Years Programme (PYP), through to the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and closes with two options for students in either the Diploma Programme (DP) or the Career-related Programme (CP) for the final 2 years.

AISPP is spread across 6 hectares (15 acres) of grounds, and the facilities include a theatre building able to accommodate 600 guests. 

  • Curriculum: IB, Australian National 
  • Ages: 2-18

Lycée Francais René Descartes (LFRD)

Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD) was founded is 1951 in Phnom Penh and is a private French school in operated under an agreement with the Agence pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Etranger (AEFE).

The international French school provides high-quality education from preschool through high school while adhering to the French national curriculum. They also have onsite sports facilities and compete locally and with other international French schools in the region.

There are financial aid options.

  • Curriculum: Baccalaureate and the Diplôme National du Breve (French)
  • Ages: Kindergarten - High School

Footprints International School

Footprints International School was established in 2007 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and they are authorised to offer the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) as well as the Cambridge Curriculum (CAIE) and exams.

Footprints Students attend two main campuses in Toul Tom Poung and Toul Kork in the capital and the school promotes a holistic approach to education, incorporating academics, sports, arts, and community engagement. 

  • Curriculum: National Curriculum designed by MoEYS
  • Ages: Nursery - Grade 12 

Invictus International School Phnom Penh

Invictus International School opened in Phnom Penh in 2020 and offers Early Years, Primary, and Secondary grades using the Cambridge curriculum. With its headquarters in Singapore, it is part of a network of regional schools in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. The school provides an affordable quality international education in the heart of Phnom Penh.

The education offered by Invictus includes the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for young learners and the Cambridge curriculum for Primary and Secondary school. Students will complete the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) as well as the Cambridge A-Levels.

The international school has more than 50 nationalities represented on campus and offers multilingual education, with classes conducted in English. Students have the option to study Chinese or French as part of the curriculum, in addition to Khmer.

  • Curriculum: EYFS / British - Cambridge
  • Ages: 3-18

East-West International School

East-West International School offers a comprehensive American curriculum combined with the IB program. It was launched in 2006 as a bilingual English/Khmer school catering to students from nursery to grade 12.

East-West aims to cultivate global-mindedness and prepare students for success in higher education and beyond.

  • Curriculum: Cambridge Exam Centre offers IGCSE, AS/A level courses and the Cambridge AICE diploma / National Curriculum designed by MoEYS
  • Ages: Nursery - 18

Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CIS)

The Canadian International School of Phnom Penh has three campuses in Phnom Penh and they offer preschool through grade 12.

CIS also has bilingual programs in French and Mandarin, and the main campus is located on Diamond Island (Koh Pich), with campuses at Olympia City and Bassac Garden. The 10-acre Koh Pich campus has outdoor and sports facilities (swimming pool, fitness centre, playing fields) as well as the CIS Roller Dome.

Among their programs is STEAM at CIS incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Technology, Art, and Math.

  • Curriculum: Canadian curriculum (Alberta)/ International Baccalaureate (IBO) World School and offers to IB Diploma Programme (IBDP)
  • Ages: Pre-school - 18

CIA First International School Phnom Penh

CIA First International School has 3 campuses in Phnom Penh and they offer an American curriculum enriched with international standards from kindergarten to High School.

​CIA FIRST International School's main 32,000 sqm campus in Phnom Penh, features football pitches, volleyball and basketball courts, two swimming pools, playground areas, and more.​ Academic facilities include separate buildings for kindergarten, elementary school, middle and high school.

  • Curriculum: ERO / US Common Core Standards
  • Ages: Kindergarten-18

iCAN British International School

iCAN British International School was formed in 2003 and offers a British curriculum for preschool students up to Year 6 using the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC), and National Curriculums.

The international school also offers specialist learning facilitators for PE & sport, swimming, art, music, Digital learning and modern foreign languages.

  • Curriculum: IPC/ IMYC and National MoEYS Curriculums
  • Ages: Pre-school - 11

Cambodian Education And School Sector Overview

Cambodia's top international schools are dedicated to providing a world-class education and nurturing students' academic, social, and emotional growth. The Cambodian government has also announced that tax reliefs for higher educational institutions are in place until 2028.

The E-commerce Report from Profitence indicated that online education has a “lack of unique data in Cambodia, and still in a nascent stage with limited local choices for consumers.”

For parents and families, it is important to decide if they want their children to follow American, British, Australian, or Singaporean curriculums, but there are fantastic educational services in Cambodia at international schools that offer a supportive and stimulating environment for their children's educational journey.

* The ages provided are for guidance purposes only.