Canadian International School of Phnom Penh vs International School of Phnom Penh

	C Canadian International School of Phnom Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia	I International School of Phnom Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KHR 31,780,452 - 101,576,760	Fees / year KHR 38,450,324 - 118,806,593
Age range	Age range 1½ - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,000	Pupils 900
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 1989
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location CIS's main campus is on Koh Pich (Diamond Island) at Elite Town Street in central Phnom Penh; two additional early-years campuses are Bassac Garden (Tonle Bassac) and Olympia City. The Koh Pich campus is linked to the city by the Rainbow, Swan and Naga bridges and is close to neighbourhoods such as Tonle Bassac and BKK1, with Aeon Mall and riverside areas within reasonable commuting distance.	Location ISPP's campus is on Hun Neang Boulevard, south of Phnom Penh city centre; the website includes a map and turn-by-turn directions. Two city bus lines (12B and 11C) stop within a short walk of the main gate; the school notes the nearest stop is about 200 m (≈4 minutes) away.
Stages	Stages CIS runs programs from nursery through Grade 12: Early Years (nursery to junior kindergarten), Elementary (Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6), Middle School (Grades 7–9) and High School (Grades 10–12). The school offers Alberta curriculum pathways and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the senior years.	Stages ISPP serves ages 3 through Grade 12 (Early Years / PYP in Elementary, Grades 6–10 in MYP, Grades 11–12 in the IB Diploma). The site gives age/grade placement guidance and a chart for entry.
School type	School type CIS is a privately operated, co-educational international day school that serves nursery through Grade 12 across its campuses. The website also lists a boarding programme (full and weekly) for students in Grades 4 and above on its services page, though the general admissions page states students must live with a parent or guardian — you should confirm current boarding availability with admissions.	School type ISPP is an independent, non-profit, co-educational day school and an authorised IB World School offering PYP, MYP and DP; it is accredited by WASC and CIS. The school describes itself as parent-governed and reinvesting revenue into the campus.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school publishes an Inclusive Education overview: universal classroom strategies plus targeted supports such as Learning Support teachers, an EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme, speech‑language services and social‑emotional counselling in Elementary, Middle and High School. The site also states it cannot provide some specialist on‑site therapies or psychological assessments and that EAL places and some specialist services may incur extra fees.	Additional learning support ISPP runs student support teams across Elementary and Secondary that include English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes, targeted Learning Support (reading, maths, written language) and school counsellors; support can be in-class or in a Learning Support Centre. The site describes assessment on entry and exit criteria for EAL and collaboration with parents and external specialists as needed.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation CIS teaches the Alberta (Canada) provincial curriculum and is accredited by Alberta Education; students may graduate with an Alberta High School Diploma (with options to combine IB courses or the IB Diploma).	Country affiliation ISPP is an international school without affiliation to a single country; its materials describe a multinational student body and parent-governed structure.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school website does not indicate any religious affiliation; CIS is presented as a secular international school.	Religious affiliation ISPP is non-religious / secular in its stated information; the school presents itself as an inclusive international community rather than a faith-based institution.
School day structure	School day structure Timings vary by campus and age group. For example, the Bassac Garden preschool lists drop‑off 8:00–8:30 a.m., a first session 8:30–11:30 a.m., and full‑day pick‑up at 3:30 p.m.; other year groups follow different schedules, so confirm exact start/finish and break times for your child's year level with the school.	School day structure The school year runs August–June with about 180 instructional days; division-specific daily start and finish times are not posted on the public pages, and may vary by year group. ISPP's office hours are listed (07:00–16:30), and the After School Programme operates into the afternoon with late-bus departures at 4:15pm and 4:45pm. For exact daily start/end times and break/lunch schedules contact Admissions or the relevant division.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school offers a school bus and local buggy service for students (buses and open‑air electric buggies) that operates throughout central Phnom Penh for children aged 4 and above; children under 4 may be registered if accompanied by a sibling aged 10 or older. Vehicle types listed include buggies (4 seats) and passenger vans (up to 10 seats). Routes, fees and registration are managed by the school, so contact Admissions or Transport for current route maps, pick‑up points and costs.	Bus service details ISPP offers a limited paid daily bus/van service with seats allocated by route and priority for two-way riders and siblings; availability is not guaranteed for families outside established routes. The school publishes zone-based fees (Zone A / Zone B) and asks families to register at least five working days before service begins; the After School Programme also notes a late-bus option for activity participants. Check the school's bus page for current routes, zones and fees.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & one‑time enrolment fees - Application fee (one‑time): KHR 1,002,500. - Enrollment / admission fee (one‑time): KHR 2,005,000. - Annual capital/maintenance fee (charged annually): KHR 4,812,000 (where applicable, see first‑year totals). Tuition — annual and per‑term (published 2025–2026 amounts, per grade) Note: CIS offers annual, semesterly and quarterly payment plans. The figures below show the published annual total (yearly). Semester = annual ÷ 2; Quarterly = annual ÷ 4 (equal instalment splits shown for clarity). All amounts are in Cambodian Riels (KHR). - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual KHR 31,679,001 — Semester KHR 15,839,501 — Quarterly KHR 7,919,750. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual KHR 38,897,001 — Semester KHR 19,448,501 — Quarterly KHR 9,724,250. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual KHR 48,120,001 — Semester KHR 24,060,001 — Quarterly KHR 12,030,000. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 1: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 2: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 3: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 4: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 5: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 6: Annual KHR 88,621,002 — Semester KHR 44,310,501 — Quarterly KHR 22,155,251. - Grade 7: Annual KHR 92,230,002 — Semester KHR 46,115,001 — Quarterly KHR 23,057,501. - Grade 8: Annual KHR 92,230,002 — Semester KHR 46,115,001 — Quarterly KHR 23,057,501. - Grade 9: Annual KHR 92,230,002 — Semester KHR 46,115,001 — Quarterly KHR 23,057,501. - Grade 10: Annual KHR 92,230,002 — Semester KHR 46,115,001 — Quarterly KHR 23,057,501. - Grade 11: Annual KHR 101,252,503 — Semester KHR 50,626,252 — Quarterly KHR 25,313,126. - Grade 12: Annual KHR 101,252,503 — Semester KHR 50,626,252 — Quarterly KHR 25,313,126. First‑year total example (includes one‑time fees) - Example shown in the published fee guide for a first year of enrolment: Nursery 2 first‑year total KHR 34,686,501 (this total includes the application fee, enrolment fee, capital fee and the tuition component noted above). Billing schedule and payment terms - CIS offers annual, semesterly and quarterly instalment plans; the school publishes Plan A (early annual payment) and related early‑enrolment discounts (3% discount for tuition paid under Plan A by the published early‑payment date). Family referral and sibling discounts are also offered. Exact invoice schedules and any instalment due dates are set in the school's Fee Guide and on invoices. Boarding - The School Services section of CIS lists a Boarding Program (full and weekly boarding for Grades 4 and above). Separately, the school's admissions/general‑requirements pages state residence expectations for enrolled students; confirm boarding availability and fees with admissions when enrolling. Other costs - Uniforms are available from the school store (school‑issued uniform is required; new students receive a complimentary CIS backpack). Lunch is provided via the school Lunch Program; bus/buggy transport, certain extracurriculars and some academy/program fees may incur additional charges. Refunds - The school's published Fee Guide contains the full refund and withdrawal terms (application and enrollment charges are typically handled as one‑time fees). Parents should review the Fee Guide or contact Admissions for the Fee Guide's refund and withdrawal clauses. Fee payment options - CIS publishes instalment plans and operates a parent portal (iSAMS) for family accounts; payment is normally made by bank transfer or by card/third‑party payment channels as specified on each invoice. Invoices and the Fee Guide set the accepted payment methods and any processing fees.	Fee details —
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The Boarding Program is available for students in Grades 4 and above. Full boarding and weekly boarding options are available.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement All students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 wear a school-issued uniform. There is a standard uniform, a separate PE uniform, and different uniforms for competitive sports teams.	Uniform requirement The school has a PE uniform. For events, students wear ISPP house-coloured shirts and caps.
Food options	Food options Lunch is provided through a school Lunch Program; meals are prepared on-site at the Koh Pich Campus by Dara Airport Hotel Catering Service. All CIS campuses are nut-free zones; Early Years are served family-style, and Senior Kindergarten–Grade 12 have buffet-style meals.	Food options ISPP offers a lunch plan provided by Epicure Catering; meals are grade-specific: Early Years and Kindergarten are served family-style Asian/Western/vegetarian dishes, Grades 1-5 have a set menu including Asian/Western/vegetarian options and noodle soup, and Grades 6-12 have buffet options. Pricing is $4 or $4.50 per day depending on grade, with online registration and deadlines.
House system	House system —	House system ISPP operates a house system with colour-coded houses. Students wear house-coloured shirts and caps for sports and events, and there are house activities such as House Tabloid Sports Day.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership CIS is privately owned and governed by a Board of Directors. The Board provides strategic oversight of educational, financial, safeguarding, and employment health, while the Senior Leadership Team led by the Head of School manages daily operations. Ms. Daun Yorke is appointed Head of School for the 2026-27 academic year.	Governance and ownership ISPP is a not-for-profit, parent-governed school. The Board of Trustees is elected by parents for two-year terms; the Director is an ex-officio member; there are standing committees and open meetings.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details CISP's Early Years Program (Nursery–Junior Kindergarten) follows Flight: Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework and is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, using play‑based, child‑centred learning. Elementary (Senior Kindergarten–Grade 6) follows the Alberta curriculum delivered through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP); students receive weekly instruction in Khmer, Mandarin, or French and may join French or Mandarin bilingual streams. Middle School (Grades 7–9) follows Alberta Grade 7–9 curricula with specialist teachers in core subjects and complementary courses such as art, Career & Technology Foundations, drama, music, Khmer, Mandarin and French. High School offers two pathways: the Alberta High School Program (Grades 10–12), accredited by Alberta's Ministry of Education and leading to an Alberta High School Diploma (minimum 100 credits, with varied course sequences), and the two‑year IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12, which includes six subject groups plus Theory of Knowledge, the extended essay and CAS. Across all stages students can access specialist services and programs such as English as an Additional Language, inclusive education, fine arts, sports, design and academic counselling.	Curriculum details International School of Phnom Penh serves students age 3 through Grade 12 and is an IB World School authorised to deliver the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Elementary (Early Years/Kindergarten–Grade 5) follows the IB Primary Years Programme, organised around transdisciplinary units with subject areas such as language, mathematics, personal/social/physical education, social studies, arts, and science & technology. Middle Years (Grades 6–10) follows the IB MYP framework in which students study two languages plus humanities, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical education and design, and complete a certificated personal project in the final year. Senior secondary (Grades 11–12) is the two‑year IB Diploma Programme: students choose six subjects across the IB groups (three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level) and complete the core components—Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Activity, Service. ISPP also awards an ISPP (US-style) high school diploma accredited by WASC and offers alternatives for students not taking the full IB Diploma, including IBDP certificate courses and ISPP High Courses.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning CIS provides social-emotional counselling across Elementary, Middle and High School to support students' emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and social skills. Counsellors offer individual and group support, respond to crises, and work with teachers and parents to build supportive classroom environments. The school describes these services as part of a continuum that aims to reduce barriers to learning and promote student well‑being. Staff implement schoolwide initiatives to develop social-emotional skills and refer families to external resources when needed.	Social & emotional learning ISPP's strategic goals explicitly include formally identifying, implementing and embedding social‑emotional learning across the school. The Elementary school describes a “comprehensive social emotional curriculum” delivered through classroom guidance, individual and group programmes led by the Elementary Counsellor. In Secondary, two counsellors coordinate the Home Group Advisory programme and deliver weekly advisory lessons that support wellness and healthy living. The school also links extracurricular programmes, such as sports and after‑school activities, to social and emotional skill development.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) CIS offers learning support teachers and speech‑language services to assist students with diverse learning and communication needs, providing targeted instruction, progress assessment, and classroom collaboration. A speech‑language pathologist is listed as providing assessment, individualised support plans, and therapy to improve communication and classroom participation. The school states it cannot provide specialised or highly individualised interventions (for example on‑site physical therapy, medical care, psychological assessments, one‑on‑one therapies, or assistive technologies). CIS presents these services as a continuum rather than as a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) ISPP operates a Learning Support programme that provides specifically designed instruction in reading, mathematics and written language and reaches younger learners for fine motor and early language needs. Support is delivered either within the classroom or in the Learning Support Centre, and staff work collaboratively with teachers, parents and, where necessary, external specialists to design interventions. The Secondary site also notes a Learning Support programme for older students. The school's published pages describe these provisions but do not state that ISPP is a specialist SEN institution, nor do they list specific medical or diagnostic categories supported.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language CIS operates a specialised EAL programme and reports a skilled team of EAL teachers who support speaking, listening, reading and writing in small groups or through one‑to‑one targeted instruction. The admissions page specifies that specialist EAL support is provided for students in Grades 1–9, that students exit the programme once they demonstrate grade‑level proficiency, and that EAL placement may incur additional fees. EAL instruction is described as focused on both academic and social language needs and is integrated into the school's continuum of supports. For Grade 10–12 applicants the school requires demonstrated grade‑level English proficiency.	English as an additional language ISPP's Elementary Student Support Services describe an EAL Programme for students whose first language is not English, with EAL support available from Grade 2 to Grade 5 and entry language assessment on admission. Elementary students new to English engage in experiences before Grade 2 and, when in the EAL programme, typically attend focused EAL classes (noting some timetable adjustments such as during foreign language or Khmer mother‑tongue lessons). The Secondary site states an EAL option is available in the Secondary School and that students are assessed and periodically reviewed. Exit from EAL is based on established EAL exit criteria.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing CIS lists social‑emotional counselling as a core part of its supports, with counsellors providing individual and group work, crisis response, and skill development in areas such as emotional regulation. Counsellors collaborate with classroom teachers and parents and may refer students and families to external mental health resources when appropriate. The school frames these services as part of a broader collection of supports intended to maximise academic success, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging. The admissions and inclusive‑education pages explicitly include social‑emotional counselling among the school's published supports and services.	Mental wellbeing ISPP employs counsellors in both Elementary and Secondary who provide individual and small‑group emotional support, classroom guidance sessions, parent workshops and specialist referrals to address students' personal and social needs. Secondary counsellors explicitly aim to normalise help‑seeking and provide personal, social and transition support, while the Elementary Counsellor delivers a social‑emotional curriculum and related programmes. The school's strategic priorities also identify Wellbeing, Care and Belonging as a formal area of focus and the Director's updates note a whole‑school Well‑being Coordinator role. These published pages indicate coordinated counselling and wellbeing initiatives across the school.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding CIS states it recognises its child‑protection responsibilities and maintains a Child Protection Team with designated leads in each school section; staff are required to report suspected abuse via the school's referral process. Teaching staff must complete Level 1 safeguarding training and teaching assistants, after‑school coaches and other support staff must complete Awareness‑level safeguarding training through childsafeguarding.org. The school uses a risk‑assessment matrix adapted from the UN Rights of the Child and displays information and a QR link to the referral process around campus. CIS emphasises that safeguarding is the responsibility of all staff and that student welfare is paramount.	Safeguarding ISPP's Safety & Security page describes campus security measures including ID cards for staff and students, visitor sign‑in, contracted security, CCTV and regular emergency procedures and drills. The Director's update states the Child Protection Policy and Safe Schools Procedures Handbook have been updated and that faculty and staff have completed child protection training. The Secondary Counselling Office page notes that counselling is confidential except where a student is judged to be at risk and that staff may refer students to outside specialists after consulting parents. These statements are taken from ISPP's publicly posted safety, governance and counselling pages.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Three campuses provide world-class facilities in Phnom Penh: Bassac Garden Preschool, Koh Pich, and Olympia City Preschool. The school serves nursery through grade 12 with almost 1,000 students from more than 30 nationalities. CIS delivers the Canadian curriculum with Alberta accreditation and offers four graduation pathways, including the Alberta High School Diploma and the IB Diploma Programme. It is an IB World School delivering the IB Primary Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme, with English as an Additional Language support. Bilingual education includes certified French and Mandarin programs.	Facilities overview The ISPP campus spans six hectares and supports learning, sport and the arts. It has a swimming pool, a gymnasium, sports fields and a Learning Centre. There are multiple classrooms, cafeterias and play areas, plus a Butterfly Garden and a Birds and Bees area. The Black Box Theatre seats 430 and provides drama rehearsal spaces and music facilities, including a grand piano. Art galleries on both the Elementary and Secondary campuses host student exhibitions.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities There are 50 sports teams and 25 clubs across CIS. Two high-performance sports academies support student-athletes. Facilities are described as world-class and are provided across campuses to support athletics and physical education. Physical education and sports are integrated into daily school life. The school operates across multiple campuses with dedicated spaces for sports and recreation.	Sports facilities Elementary students participate in after‑school sports and join YAPP, with offerings such as football, basketball, dance and T‑ball, and there is an active swim squad. Secondary students compete in PPAC8 against local international schools in basketball, volleyball, football and swimming, and ISPP is a member of MRISA for basketball, soccer and volleyball. The campus includes two indoor courts used for court sports and training. Training typically includes two sessions per week.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities CIS offers four educational programs: Early Years (Nursery to Junior Kindergarten), Elementary School (Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6), Middle School (Grades 7–9), and High School (Grades 10–12). The school follows the Canadian curriculum with Alberta Education accreditation and four graduation pathways, including the Alberta High School Diploma and the IB Diploma. CIS is an IB World School delivering the IB Primary Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme. Bilingual education includes French and Mandarin programs, and English as an Additional Language support. Ages range from 18 months to 18 years.	Academic facilities ISPP is an IB World School offering Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. The campus includes a Learning Centre and dedicated classrooms for Elementary and Secondary education.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities There are 50 sports teams and 25 clubs. English as an Additional Language and the Soccer Academy are among the specialized programs. Performances, exhibitions, and specialist art classes are offered as part of the arts program. Daily extracurricular offerings are provided across the campuses, complemented by a diverse, multi-national community.	Extra curricular facilities The arts programme includes a 430‑seat Black Box Theatre with sound and lighting, drama spaces and extensive music resources, including a grand piano. Both campuses host art galleries for student exhibitions. The school runs an After School Programme with activities for Elementary and Secondary students, and swimming is among the offered options. ISPP participates in Eco-Schools initiatives, including a campus solar power system and student involvement in recycling and composting.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History CIS was founded in 2012 as a private international school and received Alberta (Canada) accreditation in that year. The school opened its Bassac Garden campus in 2012 and a second Koh Pich campus in 2015, then expanded the Koh Pich site in 2018 with additional theatre, sports and middle/high school facilities. In the late 2010s and early 2020s CIS added bilingual programs and, later, IB authorizations and specialist programmes such as an Artist in Residence. Through the 2020s the school continued phased facility and programme development, including sports academies, new studios, environmental initiatives, and external accreditation visits.	History ISPP was founded in 1989 by a group of families connected with non-government organisations; the first six students met part‑time in a parent's home. In 1990 the school moved into a rented villa and its charter established ISPP as a parent‑owned, non‑sectarian, non‑profit institution. During the 1990s and 2000s the school pursued international accreditation and IB authorisations, achieving full WASC accreditation in the late 1990s and successive IB programme authorisations by the mid‑2000s. In 2014–2015 ISPP consolidated onto a new purpose‑built campus and the school states that it reinvests 100% of its revenue back into the school.
Community	Community The school describes an active community made up of students, parents, staff and alumni, and emphasises parent–school partnership through curriculum nights, meet‑the‑teacher events, parent‑teacher conferences and learning celebrations. Regular community events include cultural celebrations, sports tournaments, fine‑arts showcases, assemblies and organised family days. CIS also partners with local recreational venues (for example, the CIS Roller Dome and Ice Dome Cambodia), runs camps during school breaks, and notes participation in events such as the Angkor Wat Marathon as shared community activities.	Community ISPP frames community engagement and service learning as strategic priorities and runs several long‑term initiatives, including a scholarship programme aimed at students from disadvantaged backgrounds and a philanthropic fund supported by application/entrance fees (established August 2020). The school also partners with local projects such as the Cambodia Teacher Training Project and has Eco‑Schools certification supported by a major on‑site solar project. Regular community events — for example the open‑to‑the‑public International Day, student‑led ISPPMUN, house/sports days and environmental activities — bring students, parents and local partners together.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association CIS's parent body is organised through a School Council: all parents are automatically members and are invited to attend regular meetings. Meetings are described as beginning with breakfast, followed by discussion of items important to families and a concluding workshop; they are conducted in English with interpretation into Khmer and Mandarin. A parent‑led School Council Executive coordinates meetings, gathers parent feedback, and raises matters with the Head of School. The website states the School Council typically meets every second month and serves both to inform parents about school initiatives and to provide a formal route for raising concerns or suggestions. School communications (weekly principal emails, Seesaw for younger years, Google Classroom for older students and the iSAMS portal) are used alongside Council meetings to organise sessions, share information and invite parents to workshops and events.	Parent teacher association ISPP's Parent and Community Organisation (PCO) comprises all current parents/guardians and states its mission as supporting the school through effective communication, welcoming new families, encouraging participation across language and cultural groups, and backing school activities and events. The PCO structure includes a steering committee (Chair, Co‑chair, Secretary, Treasurer) and aims to include grade/section representatives and language representatives as conduits between different language communities. The PCO publishes Terms of Reference and the school noted a re‑launch of the PCO for the 2022–23 academic year, inviting parents to serve in steering or representative roles. In practice parents volunteer for event teams, grade‑level groups and other activity support; the PCO is a common route for coordinating parent involvement in large events such as International Day. The organisation is also used to help with transitions and to provide information and friendship to new families.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school is an IB World School delivering the IB Diploma Programme. It serves Nursery through Grade 12 and offers four educational programs: Early Years (Nursery–Junior Kindergarten), Elementary (Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6), Middle School (Grades 7–9), and High School (Grades 10–12). In the 2025–2026 school year, Elementary comprises Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6, and Middle School begins in Grade 7. The school operates from two centrally located campuses in Phnom Penh.	Academic & intellectual ISPP offers an After School Programme with activities including arts, basketball, boot camp, ceramics, chess, choir, cooking, drama, football and robotics. The programme is recreational, not competitive, and aims to help students learn in a safe environment while developing self-esteem and problem-solving skills. These activities provide opportunities to engage in creative, physical and intellectual pursuits after school.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Performances, exhibitions, and specialist art classes are part of the arts program. The school fosters creativity and builds skills in music, drama, and visual art. Students have opportunities to participate in arts across the campuses.	Arts & creative ISPP values the arts and runs major and smaller productions each year. The 430‑seat Black Box theatre supports drama and music with sound and lighting facilities, rehearsal spaces and a grand piano. The arts programme also features exhibitions and opportunities to participate in events such as the Phnom Penh Youth Film Festival and Battle of the Bands.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Language learning is a specialization within the Global Citizenship program, emphasizing multilingual skills. The school promotes cultural understanding through global programs and opportunities like Experience Week, which includes off-campus and community engagement. Students participate in clubs that explore culture and global issues, such as Model United Nations.	Cultural & language ISPP represents more than 50 nationalities, and cultural diversity is a cornerstone of international education at ISPP. International mindedness and cross-cultural exchange are embedded in the school's guiding statements. Leadership and global engagement are supported through opportunities such as participation in Model United Nations.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies From the After-School Activities Program, CIS offers a wide range of clubs and activities. The school has over 50 developmental and competitive sports teams. The Soccer Academy is open to students in Grades 6–12 as a high-performance sports program.	Social & hobbies The After School Programme provides recreational activities including arts, ceramics, chess, choir, drama, robotics and more. Elementary and secondary students participate in sports through the ASP and MRISA, and ISPP is a member of YAPP. House Tabloid Sports Day and other events foster social engagement, teamwork and school spirit.
Community & service	Community & service Service learning is integrated into the IB Diploma Programme as part of CAS. Experience Week offers off-campus adventures that connect students with local communities, and students engage in local service projects. Service learning aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is implemented through student clubs, projects, and a CAS framework.	Community & service ISPP conducts Service Learning in the Secondary School and encourages ongoing community engagement. ISPP is an Eco-Schools certified campus with environmental initiatives, including a solar project and campus sustainability efforts. The school also runs scholarship programs and partners with local organizations to support the community.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Student councils and student ambassadors provide leadership opportunities. The school hosts student-led events such as Model United Nations and robotics clubs, offering teamwork and leadership experiences. Students develop professional skills through clubs and project leadership within the After-School Activities Program.	Leadership & professional ISPP provides leadership opportunities for students, including participation in Model United Nations and involvement in Student Council.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Soccer Academy is a high-performance program for Grades 6–12. Health services are provided on each campus, and all campuses are nut-free zones. The school offers a lunch program and a bus/buggy service to support daily logistics.	Lifestyle & wellbeing ISPP emphasises a balanced lifestyle through Week Without Walls and the CAS programme as part of the IB framework. Sports are offered across Grades 6‑12 through MRISA and other inter-school leagues, with swimming and other activities available via the After School Programme.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Khmer, French, and Mandarin are taught. Senior Kindergarten to Grade 9 students take language classes in Khmer, Mandarin, or French, with language study optional from Grade 10 onward. English as an Additional Language support is available for non-native English speakers. Khmer language and culture is offered as a credit-bearing course for Grades 10–12 under Alberta's system, enabling up to 15 credits toward an Alberta High School Diploma.	Language provision ISPP uses English as the language of instruction with an English language admission requirement and an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for students needing extra support. The school offers a Mother Tongue Programme; Khmer and Mandarin are school-supported for Khmer- and Mandarin-speaking students, with Grade 2 onward classes in the timetable and other home languages accommodated if available. In secondary, EAL continues; in Grades 11-12, no EAL support is provided because the Diploma Programme requires English proficiency, and students may study a Self-taught Language A: Literature course for their mother tongue as part of the School Supported Self-taught Programme. ISPP is an IB World School offering Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, with accreditation from WASC and CIS.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching French Bilingual Program and Mandarin Bilingual Program are available for Senior Kindergarten through Grade 6. Students study the Alberta (Canadian) curriculum in the bilingual language for about 35% of the school day. Language assessments are required for Grades 2–6 admissions, and spaces are limited. The bilingual programs are included in tuition.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Below are recognitions or awards recorded on the school's website that were received by the school (not by individual students) within the past five years (2021–2025), with a one-line explanation each. These are limited to items explicitly shown on the school's public site. - Council of International Schools accreditation (2024) — the school's site records that CIS received evaluators from the Council of International Schools for a preparatory evaluation visit and was granted accreditation; this is an external accreditation awarded to the school after a standards review. - CIS Goes Green / Eco-Schools Programme participation (2024) — the site states CIS joined the Eco‑Schools Programme and launched the CIS Goes Green initiative; this represents recognition of the school's engagement in an established international sustainability programme. - Top accreditation ranking among Alberta-accredited international schools (2025) — the school's timeline states CIS achieved the top accreditation ranking (listed on the site as Tier 1 in 2025) among Alberta‑accredited international schools; this is a ranking/recognition awarded to the school and reported on the school website. If you'd like, I can (a) extract the exact site page links and relevant passages for each item, (b) prepare a short PDF with the cited screenshots from the school site, or (c) check whether external bodies (for example the IB or Alberta Education) show the same accreditation dates for independent confirmation.	Awards (Only awards reported on ISPP's website in the past five years are listed below. I limited this to items explicitly presented on the school site and that are awarded to the school or its teams, not to individual students.) - Eco‑Schools Green Flag — re‑accredited in 2022. The Green Flag is the Eco‑Schools programme's certification that a school has met defined standards for environmental management, curriculum integration and student action; ISPP's site records the school as re‑accredited in 2022. - MRISA championships (2023–24 academic year) — ISPP reports that its teams won 7 of the 12 Mekong River International Schools Association (MRISA) championships in 2023–24 (described on the site as the most MRISA championships won by any single school in one year). This item on the school site is presented as a school/team achievement (trophies/championships awarded to the school teams). - ISSAPP championships (2023–24 academic year) — ISPP reports winning 9 of the 12 International Schools' Sports Association of Phnom Penh (ISSAPP) championships in 2023–24; the site presents these as team/school championships. If you would like, I can: (a) pull the exact pages or paragraphs as screenshots or quotes, (b) check earlier years or expand to include notable recognitions mentioned elsewhere on the site (for example, the school's joint re‑accreditation by CIS/WASC and IB in 2021 is documented on the site but that is already listed under “Accreditations”), or (c) compile the specific dates and links for each item into a short reference list.
Accreditations	Accreditations - Alberta Ministry of Education (Alberta Education) accreditation — The school is accredited by the Ministry of Education of the province of Alberta, Canada; this means CIS is authorized to deliver the Alberta curriculum and issue Alberta-recognized high school credentials. - Approval to operate from the Kingdom of Cambodia (Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport) — the school received official approval to operate in Cambodia, which is a legal requirement for schools working in the country. - International Baccalaureate (IB) World School authorizations — CIS is an authorized IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme (authorization in 2021) and the IB Primary Years Programme (authorization noted on the school site in 2025); IB authorization means the school meets the IB Organization's standards and is permitted to deliver those IB programmes. - Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation/membership — the school's site records that evaluators from the Council of International Schools visited and that CIS was granted accreditation; CIS accreditation is an external, multi‑year review against international standards for school quality, safeguarding, and governance. - LabelFrancÉducation seal (French Ministry of Foreign Affairs) — CIS's French Bilingual Program received the LabelFrancÉducation distinction (the school's site identifies CIS as the first school in Cambodia to receive this seal); the label recognizes schools that provide enhanced French-language instruction and integrate other subjects in French. - Eco-Schools Programme participation (CIS Goes Green) — the school's site states CIS joined the Eco‑Schools Programme; Eco‑Schools participation is an international environmental education and management programme that schools join to plan and implement sustainability action. Notes: the items above are taken from the school's public pages and the school's listed affiliations; the site also lists other affiliations (for example AAIS/Alberta Accredited International Schools and WIDA membership) that relate to curriculum oversight, quality assurance, and English‑language learning networks.	Accreditations - International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP and DP) — ISPP is fully authorised to deliver the three IB programmes (Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma); IB authorisation means the school meets the IB's standards for curriculum, assessment and teacher professional learning. - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation — WASC is a regional (North American) accrediting body; WASC accreditation indicates the school meets recognised standards for school governance, curriculum, teaching and student support and enables wider recognition of ISPP's diploma. - Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation — CIS accreditation is an international quality assurance process focused on whole‑school improvement (standards for leadership, teaching, wellbeing and community); ISPP holds CIS accreditation alongside WASC. - Eco‑Schools / Green Flag certification — ISPP has been awarded the Eco‑Schools Green Flag (Eco‑Schools/FEE) and is listed as re‑accredited in 2022; this certification recognises that the school has met Eco‑Schools criteria for environmental management, curriculum links and student‑led environmental action. - Memberships (professional networks noted on the school site) — ISPP lists membership of organisations such as the European Council of International Schools (ECIS), East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS), and the Mekong River International Schools Association (MRISA); these are professional memberships (networking, professional development and inter‑school activities) rather than accreditation bodies.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Complete the online application: Start by creating and submitting an application through CIS's online platform (gibbon.cisp.edu.kh). Parents should save progress if they cannot upload everything at once; the school says you can return later and the Admissions Team will contact you after submission to confirm receipt and next steps. Be prepared to provide accurate birth and passport details because these determine grade placement and residency checks. 2. Pay the application fee: The application fee must be paid (in person or by bank transfer) before CIS will consider the application or schedule an assessment. The site states the fee is non-refundable — plan for that cost when you apply and keep payment confirmation to avoid delays. If the fee is not paid, the school will not proceed to the assessment or interview stage. 3. Submit required supporting documents: CIS lists documents required for all applicants (recent school reports, completed online recommendation forms, standardized test results if available, passport ID pages for student and parents, birth certificate or family book, vaccination records, signed CIS Parent Agreement, and a signed student health questionnaire). Additional, grade-specific recommendations or extra report cards are required for different year levels (for example, Grades 10–12 require three years of report cards plus multiple teacher recommendations). Parents should collect original or certified copies and be ready to upload them to the online platform; recommendations are submitted online by the referees. 4. Assessment, interview and English requirement: After documents are reviewed, CIS may request an interview and/or academic assessments (these can be online or in person). Students from Senior Kindergarten through Grade 12 may need an English-language proficiency assessment; Grade 10–12 applicants must show grade-level English proficiency (via prior records from an accredited English-instruction school or an assessment). If your child will require EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, note that CIS provides EAL for Grades 1–9 but enrolment in the EAL program carries additional fees. 5. Offer, deposit and fee arrangements to confirm enrolment: If CIS offers a place, parents must accept the offer and pay the required deposits to confirm enrolment — the school specifically states deposits and the ability to meet school fee requirements are conditions of enrolment. CIS publishes a 2025–2026 Fee Guide and offers multiple payment plans (annual, semesterly, quarterly); the school also runs specific discounts and referral/voucher programs (for example, an early-enrolment discount, sibling discounts, and referral vouchers). Before accepting an offer, review the fee guide and confirm which payment plan and any applicable discounts you will use. 6. Placement, first day and orientation: Grade placement is determined by year of birth for Nursery–Grade 6 and by a combination of birth year and prior education for Grades 7–12; parents are expected to accept the school's placement decision. CIS accepts applications on a rolling basis and the Admissions Team can schedule personalized campus visits; they also provide information to prepare families for the student's first day and run a New Family Orientation.	Admissions 1. Make an initial inquiry. Start by submitting the online Inquiry / pre-application through ISPP's admissions portal (OpenApply) so the school can confirm whether the grade you want is likely to have space and what the next steps will be. The Inquiry helps the admissions team provide grade-specific guidance and to tell you whether to proceed with the formal pre-application or tour. 2. Submit a pre-application and basic documents. If you decide to proceed, complete the Pre‑Application Form and pay the pre-application deposit (US$50). At this stage you should upload passport ID pages and recent passport-style photos and any reports related to learning needs; the pre-application places your family on the applicant list while you await confirmation of space. 3. Complete the full Application and pay the application fee once space is confirmed. When ISPP confirms a place is available you will be asked to finish the Application Form in OpenApply and pay the remainder of the application fee (total application fee US$250, which includes the US$50 pre-application deposit and a US$200 balance). Be prepared to provide at least two recent years of school reports in English, a copy of immunisation records, the completed ISPP immunisation form and, for Grades 2–5, a writing sample. 4. Provide school recommendation(s) and any additional documents requested. ISPP requires a confidential recommendation from the student's current school (submitted directly to ISPP) and may request extra documentation about academic history or support needs; recommendations must be provided by the current school via the specified contact method. Keep email contact details for the recommending teachers ready when you apply, since ISPP will not accept recommendations sent by other routes. 5. Expect staged assessment steps where needed. ISPP does not routinely require formal academic testing at admission but may request English language testing (for which a fee may apply) and/or an interview with the relevant Principal to confirm that the student can access the IB programme. Placement into EAL (English as an Additional Language) support will be used where appropriate and students exit EAL once they meet grade-level proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. 6. Understand priority criteria and nationality limits. Applications are considered by priority (siblings of current students, enrolled students and children of diplomatic passport holders receive priority) and then by application date; ISPP also enforces nationality caps (Cambodian students are limited to 30% and other nationalities to 15% each) that can affect availability in many grades. Provide proof of nationality for the student and parents during the application process because the school uses that information to ensure compliance with the nationality limits. 7. Be clear about grade placement and age rules. ISPP places students by chronological age with specific September 1 cut-off ages (for example, Kindergarten = age 5 by September 1; Grade 6 typically age 11), and the school publishes a Dates of Birth / Grade Entry chart that you should check before applying. If a student's previous school calendar differs or there are other complexities, the Principal will make the final grade placement decision balancing age, academic continuity, language proficiency and social maturity. 8. Disclose any learning or support needs early. Parents must fully disclose any special education needs or learning-support history during the admissions process; ISPP reviews each case individually and may provide moderate learning support but may also decline or later ask a family to withdraw if the student's needs exceed the school's capacity. If your child receives therapies or specialist services, tell the admissions team and be prepared to provide formal reports so ISPP can assess whether it can meet those needs. 9. Receive an offer and attend to enrolment / entrance deposits and fees. If offered a place, you will be asked to pay an enrolment deposit or entrance fee (entrance fees are charged once for KG–Grade 12; an Early Years entrance deposit is applied if the child progresses to KG) and to complete final paperwork; parents or guardians are liable for fees on enrolment and for any re‑enrolment deposit required to secure a returning student's place. Review the school's tuition and fee schedule for payment options (annual, semester, term/quarter) and note that instalment plans incur a finance charge. 10. Know fee, refund and re-enrolment policies. Tuition fees are refundable only for full terms of non-attendance; other fees are non‑refundable, and late or non-payment can lead to penalties or de‑enrolment. Returning families must pay a re‑enrolment deposit (usually collected in the second semester) to hold a place for the next academic year—check the published timetable as the Board approves fee schedules in February and releases the following year's fee schedule in March.
Scholarships	Scholarships The CIS Phnom Penh admissions and fees pages do not describe a scholarship program for incoming students; the school's published fee information focuses on payment plans, an early-enrolment discount, sibling discounts, referral vouchers, and a forthcoming loyalty discount. CIS's community page also notes partner discounts (for example, a Canadia Bank junior account offers a tuition discount). Because other schools in the wider ‘CIS' network (for example, CIS branches in Vietnam) do run named scholarship or talent programs, be careful not to assume those apply to the Phnom Penh campus. If you want a definitive answer about scholarships, hardship assistance, or merit-based awards for the Phnom Penh campus, request that information directly from admissions@cisp.edu.kh — they can confirm whether any scholarships or internal assistance programs exist and explain eligibility, application windows, and documentation required.	Scholarships ISPP operates a host-country scholarship programme that provides full scholarships to selected Cambodian students beginning at Grade 6 and continuing through graduation. The programme began in 2018–19 and each year ISPP has welcomed a new cohort into Grade 6; the school partners with community organisations (Cambodian Children's Fund and Indochina Starfish Foundation) to provide extra support to scholarship students and their families. Funding for the sustainable continuation of the scholarship programme is supported in part by the one-time application and entrance fees paid by new students, and the ISPP Board of Trustees has committed to maintaining these scholarships. The scholarship places are targeted to children from very low-income backgrounds and are selected in collaboration with the partner NGOs; the ISPP website lists current cohort counts and background on the programme.
Waitlist	Waitlist CIS does not publish a detailed public waitlist policy on its website; the General Requirements page instructs prospective families to contact the Admissions Team for information about waiting lists. That wording implies a waiting-list or vacancy-management process exists but that specific places and prioritization rules are handled case-by-case by Admissions. If you need to know whether your child will be placed on a waitlist, the likely next vacancy date, or how long wait times are, contact admissions@cisp.edu.kh — they are the official source for current waitlist status and any documentary steps required to remain on a list.	Waitlist ISPP uses waiting lists when applications exceed available spaces in a given grade. Applicants who cannot be offered immediate placement are put on a waiting list and considered according to the school's priority rules (siblings, enrolled students, diplomatic passport holders, then by application date). ISPP staff will provide a realistic assessment of chances and timing where possible but do not publish waiting-list length or guaranteed timing; applicants may remain under consideration throughout the current academic year and also for the beginning of the following academic year (but new-year priorities apply). If the school cannot place an applicant by August of the following academic year, families are notified and offered the option to remain on the waiting list for the next year for an additional, non‑refundable fee. Families can also use the Pre‑Application to enter the applicant pool up to one year in advance (pre‑application deposit US$50) while they wait for space to open.
	View full profile →	View full profile →