CIA First International School and Golden Gate American School are both in Phnom Penh, about 10 km apart. Both schools offer American and Advanced Placement (AP) programmes. CIA First International School also offers Bespoke, and Golden Gate American School also offers IB and Chinese National. Published annual fees are KHR 13,400,000 - 30,240,000 at CIA First International School and KHR 13,200,000 - 24,800,000 at Golden Gate American School, which puts CIA First International School roughly 15% higher. CIA First International School takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Golden Gate American School from 2 to 19.
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C
CIA First International School
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Golden Gate American School
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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| Snapshot | Snapshot | |
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Fees / year
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Fees / year KHR 13,400,000 - 30,240,000 | Fees / year KHR 13,200,000 - 24,800,000 |
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Age range
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Age range 2 - 18 years | Age range 2 - 19 years |
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Type
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Type Co-educational | Type Co-educational |
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Curriculum
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Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum | Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) |
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Pupils
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Pupils 5,000 | Pupils — |
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Typical class size
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Typical class size — | Typical class size — |
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Instruction language
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Instruction language English, French, Mandarin | Instruction language English, Khmer, Mandarin |
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Opened
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Opened 2004 | Opened 1996 |
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Bus service
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Bus service No | Bus service No |
| Essentials | Essentials | |
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Location
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Location CIA FIRST is based in Phnom Penh with campuses in Sen Sok and Chbar Ampov and a Russey Keo campus listed on the school site; the main administrative address is No. 107, Street 2004 (Tek Thla) in Sen Sok. The campus pages give local orientation (e.g., Sen Sok campus is in front of Orkide; Russey Keo is on Street 330 near the Ministry of Land Management). | Location Head office and main campuses are in Phnom Penh (Sen Sok / Street 1003) with additional campuses in Tuol Kork and Phnom Penh Thmei; the site lists three campus locations and a head‑office address (No. 846, St 1003). The campuses are in built‑up Phnom Penh neighbourhoods and the site notes locations close to main roads, parks and sports facilities — useful if you plan daily driving or rides with city transport. |
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Stages
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Stages CIA FIRST operates programs from Pre‑K/Preschool through Grade 12. Individual campuses serve different ranges (for example: Sen Sok K3–G8, Sen Sok High School G9–G12, Chbar Ampov PreK–G12 and a Preschool site). | Stages GGAS describes provision from early years through Grade 12: Early Years / Nursery (from age 2), Primary (PYP) for ages about 3–12, Middle Years (MYP) for about 11–16, and Diploma Programme (DP) for 16–19; the site also lists USA curriculum tracks for primary and high school. |
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School type
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School type CIA FIRST is a co‑educational, day international school (no boarding provision is listed on the school website). It operates multiple purpose‑built day campuses across Phnom Penh. | School type The school is an independent, nonsectarian private international school offering American curriculum options and IB programmes (MYP and DP authorised). The website and external school directories list GGAS as co‑educational; some sources and the school's development plans also reference sleeping/dormitory facilities at a new campus (check with admissions if you need formal boarding). |
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Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix — | Pupil nationality mix — |
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Additional learning support
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Additional learning support The school has a Student Support Services department that includes counselors, SEL coaches, Multilingual Learner (MLL) specialists, literacy specialists and learning‑to‑learn specialists; support is provided through a Multi‑Tiered System of Support with push‑in and pull‑out models and individualized learning plans. MLL support is offered for Grades 1–10 and interventions are guided by WIDA standards. | Additional learning support The site discusses support in its PYP/MYP pages (small class sizes, language support within bilingual delivery and a focus on individual learners) but does not publish a detailed Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy or specific specialist‑staff list. If your child has diagnosed additional needs, contact Admissions to request the school's SEN/inclusion policy and any assessment or support plans. |
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Country affiliation
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Country affiliation The school is based in Cambodia and is accredited by Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS); it also holds WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation, which is a U.S. regional accreditor. It does not present a single overseas national affiliation. | Country affiliation GGAS identifies itself as an American school offering a USA‑certified high‑school diploma in partnership with a US provider (Busche Academy) while also being accredited by Cambodia's Ministry of Education; it therefore operates as an independent private school with American curriculum links rather than as an official agent of a foreign government. |
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Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation The school website does not list a religious affiliation and presents itself as an inclusive, secular international school community (see the school's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion statement). | Religious affiliation The school is described on its site as nonsectarian (no religious affiliation). |
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School day structure
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School day structure Daily hours vary by campus and program. Typical start times are 7:30–8:00 AM; full‑day kindergarten and preschool run roughly 8:00 AM to 3:30–4:00 PM, international programs commonly finish around 4:00–4:15 PM, and students in the Full‑Time Khmer (FTK) option have additional Khmer‑curriculum classes running until about 5:15 PM (FTK schedules and exact times differ by campus). | School day structure The website and published calendar do not set out a daily start/end time or a standard break/lunch schedule for all year groups; the Admissions page does show office contact hours for enquiries (phones answered Mon–Fri 7:00–17:00 and Saturday 7:00–16:00). For exact daily timings by campus or year group, ask Admissions during your enquiry or campus visit. |
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Bus service details
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Bus service details The school operates its own door‑to‑door bus fleet across Phnom Penh with zoned fees (0–3 km, 3.1–6 km, 6.1–10 km) and an onboard assistant for supervision; buses are described as having seat belts, air conditioning and in‑bus CCTV and each vehicle has a stated maximum capacity (the site describes an 8‑student maximum per bus). Parents register per campus and contact details for bus registration are listed on the school bus page. | Bus service details The Admissions information on the website states there is bus transportation and that registration and charges for the service are published for the 2024–25 year, but the site does not list specific routes, providers or pick‑up/drop‑off times. Practical next steps are to request the current bus routes, stops, fees and safety/insurance details directly from Admissions before relocating. |
| Fees | Fees | |
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Fee details
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Fee details Application / Enrollment fees - Entrance test fee (one-time, required for new students K3–G12): USD 40. - Registration fee (one-time, required for new students): USD 850. - Re-enrollment (returning students)—early discounted re-registration and full re-registration amounts are published for the 2025–2026 cycle (early/discounted and full deadlines and late-payment penalty apply). Tuition fees (annual amounts by year group; per-term breakdown available in the school's published fee schedule) - Early years / Kindergarten (K3–K5): USD 3,950 to USD 5,950 per year (range by program/age). - Grade 1–Grade 5: USD 6,600 per year. - Grade 6–Grade 8: USD 7,550 per year. - Grade 9–Grade 12: high‑school program information (including diploma options) and associated fees are published for the high‑school age range; full grade-by-grade annual figures are included in the official School Fees document for AY 2025–2026. - Note: the school's formal AY 2025–2026 fee schedule contains the detailed per-term and per-item breakdown (tuition per term, capital/technology/resource fees, learning-materials, etc.). Annual totals for each grade are also reproduced by independent school-fee databases. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school asks that outstanding dues be paid by the 7th of each month; monthly contactless payment methods are promoted. Installment plans and term payment options are detailed in the published fee schedule. Remarks (student ID or full student name) are required on bank transfers. - Re-enrollment deadlines: early discounted re-registration payment deadline and a final re-registration deadline are published (late payment carries a daily penalty as noted in the re-enrollment notice). Boarding - No boarding / residential program is published for CIA FIRST campuses; the school operates multiple day campuses and lists school‑bus and day‑services rather than boarding. Other costs and optional services - School bus: door‑to‑door service with multiple distance zones; route options and fees are charged separately (fee breakdown and route poster are published by campus). Contact numbers for bus enquiries are provided per campus. - Uniforms and school merchandise: uniforms are required and may be purchased at the school Accountant Counter; costs vary by uniform set/level. - Miscellaneous: the school's published schedule lists technology & resource fees, capital/learning‑materials fees, and other one‑off or annual charges in addition to tuition and registration. - Sibling discount: a published sibling discount structure is reported (example: 5% for second child; additional child discounts are published in the school fee materials). Refund information - The school's public pages and re-enrollment notice set out re-registration deadlines and late‑payment penalties; a detailed refund schedule (withdrawal/refund percentages, refundable vs non‑refundable items) is not published on the general school pages. The official AY 2025–2026 fee schedule contains the full terms and conditions, including any refund/withdrawal terms. Fee payment options - ABA Mobile App and ABA bank transfer to the school's ABA account (Account Name: CIA FIRST International School Co., Ltd; Account Number: 089900012) with the requirement to remark Student ID or full student name. In-person payments at campus accountant counters are used for merchandise/uniform purchases. Additional contactless/payment methods are promoted by the school. | Fee details Application / Registration Fee - The school's admissions pages reference a published fee schedule for new applicants; a specific one‑time application or registration fee amount is not listed on the public admissions page. Parents should expect a standard non‑refundable application/registration charge to be included in the school's full fee schedule. Tuition fees (by year group) — annual amounts (KHR) - Nursery 2 (age 2): KHR 13,200,000 per year. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): KHR 13,200,000 per year. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): KHR 14,000,000 per year. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): KHR 14,000,000 per year. - Grade 1: KHR 18,000,000 per year. - Grade 2: KHR 18,000,000 per year. - Grade 3: KHR 18,000,000 per year. - Grade 4: KHR 18,800,000 per year. - Grade 5: KHR 18,800,000 per year. - Grade 6: KHR 18,800,000 per year. - Grade 7: KHR 19,600,000 per year. - Grade 8: KHR 19,600,000 per year. - Grade 9: KHR 22,400,000 per year. - Grade 10: KHR 22,400,000 per year. - Grade 11: KHR 22,400,000 per year. - Grade 12: KHR 24,800,000 per year. Per‑term figures (inferred) - Where the school operates a three‑term/trimester billing cycle, the per‑term tuition can be estimated by dividing the annual tuition by three; these per‑term figures are inferred from the published annual amounts and should be treated as approximate. (Example: Nursery 2 ≈ KHR 4,400,000 per term = KHR 13,200,000 ÷ 3). Billing schedule & payment terms - The admissions information states that tuition and fees must be arranged by the start of the new school year and that a detailed tuition & fee schedule is published as part of admissions documentation. Expect standard options such as annual, termly or instalment billing as set out in the school's fee schedule. Boarding fees - The school lists boarding as available; specific boarding fee amounts are not published on the public fee pages and are provided on request by the admissions/finance office. Other costs (uniforms, lunches, transport, IB/assessment fees, extracurriculars) - The admissions page references separate documents for Nursery/Kindergarten, IB fee schedule and other fees (uniform, lunches, bus, exam/IB charges). Individual charges for uniform, lunch plans, bus and IB examination/admin fees are set out in those fee documents. Refunds and deposits - A specific, published refund policy and deposit schedule was not shown on the public admissions summary; the school's full fee documents (referenced on the admissions page) contain the detailed refund/withdrawal and deposit terms. Payment methods - The site provides a school payment page/form and instructs parents to contact Finance/Admissions for payment arrangements; parents should expect bank transfer and in‑school card or online payment arrangements to be available via the finance office. |
| Diving deeper | Diving deeper | |
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Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements — | Boarding arrangements — |
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Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement All students must wear school uniforms during the academic day and when representing the school at events. Sports uniforms must be worn for well-being and sports activities. Uniforms can be purchased at the Accountant Counter located at all school campuses. [turn1view0] | Uniform requirement — |
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Food options
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Food options The CIA FIRST Canteen serves Khmer, Chinese, Thai, European, and American cuisines; healthy meal plans are available; energy drinks and pre-packaged snacks are prohibited on school premises. HACCP certification applies to all CIA FIRST canteen campuses. Meal plans are available. [turn2view0] | Food options The school has a cafeteria with open counter and provides nutritious meals from its facilities. |
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House system
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House system — | House system — |
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Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership Founded in 2004 by His Excellency Oknha Dr. Trang Ly and Mr. Him Samath Sprung; CIA FIRST is governed by a Board of Directors with Michael Wilde as Chief Executive Officer. The school offers an English-speaking international curriculum with additional programs in French and Mandarin Chinese. CIA FIRST operates three campuses in Phnom Penh, with a fourth campus under construction, serving 5,500+ students with 1,100+ personnel and described as the largest dual International and Khmer curricula group of schools in Cambodia. [turn8view0; turn0view0] | Governance and ownership The school is independent and nonsectarian. Heng Sokunthea is the chairwoman. |
| Academics | Academics | |
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Curriculum details
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Curriculum details CIA FIRST offers WASC‑accredited, standards‑based international education alongside Khmer‑accredited pathways from Pre‑K/preschool through Grade 12. The preschool/Early Years programme follows the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood and uses a play‑based, hands‑on approach to social–emotional, language, physical, creative and cognitive development. The Elementary curriculum is UbD‑aligned and, together with Middle School (Grade 6–8), delivers a student‑centred, inquiry‑based STEAM and humanities programme that draws on Common Core, AERO and NGSS standards and includes English, mathematics, science, social studies, computer science, arts, music and physical education. High School (Grade 9–12) is WASC‑accredited, issues an international high‑school diploma recognised as equivalent to the national Grade‑12 diploma, and offers Advanced Placement courses (the school lists 22 AP subjects and the AP Capstone pathway). Families can choose Full‑Time International (FTI), Full‑Time Khmer (FTK — MoEYS‑accredited Khmer national curriculum offered as afternoon electives), or FTI+FTC (adds daily Khmer language and culture classes) to combine international standards with Khmer language and national recognition. | Curriculum details Golden Gate American School delivers education from early years (nursery/kindergarten from age two) through primary, middle and high school across its Phnom Penh campuses. Primary students may follow a USA-based English curriculum (grades 1–8) or a Khmer-language Cambodian curriculum, and the school also operates a Chinese-language program. GGAS is authorized to offer the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and is a candidate for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), with PYP authorization targeted for December 2025. For upper secondary students GGAS offers multiple pathways: the IB Diploma (Grades 11–12), a USA High School Diploma pathway (including a college-preparatory USA track), and an arrangement to provide a US transcript/diploma through Busche Academy. The DP follows the standard DP structure (six subject groups plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS), while the USA tracks cover standard American high‑school subjects (English, mathematics, sciences, etc.) taught in English by native-speaking teachers. Throughout the school the website notes bilingual/tri-lingual provision, small class sizes and a range of co-curricular activities (including after-school programs and swimming), which together describe the full curricular and co‑curricular scope offered. |
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Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio — | Student teacher ratio — |
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Exam results
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Exam results — | Exam results — |
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Higher education progression
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Higher education progression — | Higher education progression — |
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Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented — | Gifted and talented — |
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Academic calendar
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Academic calendar — | Academic calendar — |
| Wellbeing & support | Wellbeing & support | |
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Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning CIA FIRST publishes a Student Leadership programme that includes a Student Learners' Voice and an elected Student Council through which class representatives and student leaders raise concerns and run initiatives. The school also lists a Student Support Services team and a named Director of Student Support Services, indicating an institutional point of contact for student wellbeing. The school's curriculum materials note classroom work that addresses themes such as mental health and life skills within Humanities and English courses, which can support social and emotional learning in class. The website does not, however, publish a separately named, detailed SEL programme or a full description of specific SEL staff roles beyond the Student Support Services function. | Social & emotional learning Golden Gate's curriculum pages state that social and emotional development is an explicit element of its IB and early-years programmes: the PYP materials list “attitudes” that contribute to learner wellbeing, and the EYFS page highlights a focus on children's emotional and social skills. The MYP page says students are supported in transition “with a homeroom teacher for social‑emotional learning” as they move into subject-specific classes. These references indicate SEL is embedded through classroom practice, homeroom support and the IB programme frameworks. (Sources: PYP, EYFS, MYP). |
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN) CIA FIRST's public site lists a Student Support Services team and a Director of Student Support Services, which suggests an organisational structure for supporting diverse learner needs. The About Us page also says the Student Support Services team receives ongoing training, implying the school invests in developing that provision. The website does not provide a list of specific categories of Special Educational Needs it can support, nor does it state that the school is a specialist SEN institution. If you need details on particular diagnoses, therapy access, or specialist placements, the school does not publicly disclose that information on its site. | Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision or a specialist SEN policy on its website. A review of the school's Admissions and Academics pages and related campus information shows no published learning‑support or specialist‑SEN programme descriptions. For specific SEN enquiries the site directs parents to contact admissions, which implies further details may be provided directly rather than published online. (Sources: Admissions, Academics). |
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English as an additional language
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English as an additional language CIA FIRST operates a Full‑Time International (English‑language) programme and describes itself as an English‑speaking international school, which establishes English as the primary instructional language. However, the school website does not publish a dedicated EAL/ESL programme description, named EAL staff roles, or explicit EAL entry/exit procedures. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL. | English as an additional language GGAS publishes that early years and primary programmes use English immersion and a bilingual model (English, Khmer; Chinese also offered), and the EYFS page notes lessons in kindergarten are conducted by native English‑speaking teachers supported by Khmer‑speaking teaching assistants. The MYP description lists “English Language Acquisition (Core English)” as part of the curriculum, indicating structured English‑language provision across age groups. These pages show the school provides in‑class language support and specialist English instruction rather than naming a separate EAL department. (Sources: EYFS, PYP, MYP). |
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Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing CIA FIRST's curriculum pages show that topics such as mental health and wellbeing are addressed within classroom units in Humanities and English at middle and high school levels, indicating curricular coverage of related issues. The school also lists a Student Support Services team and a Director of Student Support Services as a resource for students. The About Us material highlights annual child safety training and ongoing training for the Student Support Services team, which supports a safeguarding and welfare framework. The website does not, however, publish detailed descriptions of dedicated counselling staff, specific mental‑health programmes, or how external mental‑health referrals are handled. | Mental wellbeing The school's public pages frequently link wellbeing to curriculum aims: the PYP materials list wellbeing-related “attitudes” as part of the programme and the EYFS page highlights development of emotional skills in young children. The MYP page notes a homeroom teacher role specifically for social‑emotional learning during transition to subject classes, suggesting pastoral contact within the school day. The website does not publish a separate counselling‑or‑mental‑health services page, so formal clinical or counselling provisions are not described online. (Sources: PYP, EYFS, MYP). |
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding CIA FIRST's About Us page states that student safety is a top priority and that the school is a member of the Phnom Penh International Schools Safeguarding Association; it also says the school works with Child Safe and the Child Protection Unit and provides annual child safety training for all staff. The school's recruitment information notes strict child protection policies and background checks for applicants, which the school presents as part of its safeguarding procedures. The website also says the Student Support Services team and School Heads receive ongoing training in child safety, indicating organisational responsibility for child protection. If you need the full safeguarding policy text or named safeguarding officers, those documents or names are not posted in detail on the public site and would need to be requested from the school directly. | Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose a formal safeguarding or child‑protection policy on its website. The Facilities and news pages describe on‑site safety features for young children (for example: shaded outdoor play areas, a secure playground and sleeping facilities for kindergarten), but they do not present a named child‑protection policy or designated safeguarding team. For formal safeguarding details the site directs general enquiries to Admissions/Contact, so parents would need to request policy documents directly from the school. (Sources: Facilities, Early‑childhood news, Admissions). |
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Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy — | Safeguarding policy — |
| Facilities | Facilities | |
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Facilities overview
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Facilities overview CIA FIRST operates four modern, purpose-built campuses across Sen Sok and Chbar Ampov, with a Russey Keo campus opening soon. The campuses serve Pre-K through Grade 12, including CIA FIRST Sen Sok (K3–G8), CIA FIRST Sen Sok High School (G9–G12), CIA FIRST Chbar Ampov (PreK–G12), CIA FIRST Russey Keo (K3–G8), and CIA FIRST Preschool. The spaces are designed to inspire learning and social change through purpose-built classrooms and facilities. A playground opened at the Chbar Ampov campus on October 22, 2025 to support outdoor learning and holistic development. The school maintains a library across campuses and operates a modern bus service with door-to-door pickup and safety features, including a fleet with features like seatbelts and air-conditioning. | Facilities overview — |
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Sports facilities
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Sports facilities Football is offered as an extracurricular activity. An outdoor play space supports physical activities, with a new playground opened at the Chbar Ampov campus in October 2025 to enhance active learning and recreation. | Sports facilities — |
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Academic facilities
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Academic facilities The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and MoEYS. The Full Time International (FTI) program includes AP courses for college credit. Khmer tracks include Full Time Khmer (FTK) and Full Time Khmer Language and Culture (FTC). A library catalog (CIA FIRST Library Catalog) is available across campuses. Preschool is offered at a dedicated campus. The curriculum supports both international standards and Khmer language programs. | Academic facilities — |
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Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular Activities include Dancing Class, Ballet, Football, Arts and Crafts, Yoga & Dance, Drawing Class, and Chinese Language. There is a Kindergarten ECA Hub, with activities organized for different grade levels. Sign-ups are handled through front desk teams at each campus (e.g., Sen Sok and Chbar Ampov). | Extra curricular facilities — |
| Parent experience | Parent experience | |
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History
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History CIA FIRST International School was founded in 2004, opening with 17 students and expanding steadily since then. The school now operates multiple purpose-built campuses in Phnom Penh and serves a community of several thousand learners. It was established by His Excellency Oknha Dr. Trang Ly and Mr. Him Samath Sprung and is governed by a Board of Directors with an appointed CEO. The school's international programmes hold external recognition, including WASC accreditation and recognition from Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. | History Golden Gate American School was founded in 1996 as an independent, nonsectarian Pre‑K through Grade 12 school; the school's About page identifies Heng Sokunthea in school leadership. The school developed an American‑style programme and works with a U.S. educational partner so students can earn an authentic USA‑certified high‑school diploma. In 2024 GGAS formalised a memorandum of understanding with Busche Academy (United States) to recognise transcripts and diplomas as part of that partnership (signed June 21, 2024). The school has grown to operate multiple campuses in Phnom Penh and holds national accreditation while pursuing further international accreditations. |
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Community
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Community CIA FIRST describes a diverse student body drawn from more than 20 countries and a range of language backgrounds. The school's community channels (news, galleries and press releases) document regular campus events such as annual high‑school graduation ceremonies, sports and academic competitions, and charity/CSR activities — for example the school's graduation ceremony on June 27, 2025. The website also publishes updates on student achievements and community initiatives throughout the year. | Community GGAS describes its community as extending beyond enrolled students to include parents, relatives and local beneficiaries; the school operates a foundation to raise funds for children in need. The site highlights recent management visits and donations to local centres as examples of that engagement, and it frames service and charitable activities as part of student learning and community outreach. The school also refers to parent involvement and regular school events and communications as part of its community life. |
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Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association CIA FIRST maintains Parent Executive Committees (parent associations) at campus and year‑group levels to strengthen communication between families and school leadership. The Chbar Ampov Parent Executive Committee page lists named parent executives for Kindergarten, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School and High School, indicating committees are organised by school level. The committees are described as collaborating with the school to facilitate communication, support school initiatives, and ensure parents are engaged in their children's education. In practice, the school and parent groups work together on parent-facing activities and information support — for example the school ran Classe365 login support booths for parents during the 2025 transition to a new information system. Parents can view contact points and brief profiles ("Hear from...") for their Parent Executives on the Parent Executive Committee pages. | Parent teacher association The GGAS website does not publish a dedicated Parent‑Teacher Association page or a public list of PTA officers and meeting minutes; instead the school repeatedly states that it “welcomes involvement from parents and relatives.” School materials and news items refer to a “strong parent community” and mention regular communication, workshops and events involving families, but they do not outline a formal PTA constitution, membership process, or recurring event calendar on the public site. Examples of parent‑facing activities referenced on the site include campus tours and participation in school community and charity events; details about parent committees, volunteer roles or specific fundraising programmes are not listed online. If you'd like, I can (a) try to locate parent‑group information on social media or local forums, or (b) draft a short email or phone script you can use to request PTA contact details and meeting schedules from the school office. (No formal PTA details were found on the school website as of the cited pages.) |
| Extra-curricular | Extra-curricular | |
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Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual CIA FIRST offers three program pathways: Full Time International (FTI), Full Time Khmer (FTK), and Full Time Khmer Language and Culture (FTC). The FTI program is a WASC-accredited, standards-based curriculum blending Common Core, AERO, and NGSS, with AP courses for college credit. FTK allows students to complete the international curriculum while earning Khmer education, delivered as afternoon electives from 2:00 to 5:15 pm after completing required FTI subjects. FTC adds Khmer Language and Culture courses (one hour daily) to the FTI program, enabling Khmer language development while continuing AP coursework and extracurriculars. | Academic & intellectual Golden Gate American School is an IB World School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It offers the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and it is a candidate school for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). |
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Arts & creative
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Arts & creative Extracurricular Activities include Dancing Class, Ballet, Arts and Crafts, and Drawing Class. The program also includes Football and Yoga & Dance as movement-centered activities. ECAs extend learning beyond the classroom and support creative expression and collaboration. | Arts & creative The school includes facilities such as an art, music and drama room and an auditorium to support arts education and performances. |
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Cultural & language
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Cultural & language Chinese Language is offered as an extracurricular option. The FTC program includes Khmer Language and Culture courses (one hour daily) as part of the international curriculum, along with AP coursework. The FTK and FTC programs support bilingual learning by combining international standards with Khmer language and cultural education. | Cultural & language The school provides instruction in a multilingual learning environment, with English, Khmer and Chinese language immersion described for the IB programmes. English is the primary language for instruction in the PYP and DP, with Khmer and Chinese surroundings and support as part of the programs. |
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Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies ECAs provide opportunities to explore interests beyond academics, including arts, language, sports, and dance. Activities emphasize teamwork and problem-solving, and aim to balance growth with academics. Participation in ECAs supports social development and peer connections. | Social & hobbies The school maintains an extensive afterschool program to help students explore passions outside the classroom, including athletic and extracurricular activities. |
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Community & service
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Community & service The school features charity and CSR activities as part of its community program. Student leadership initiatives include charity events such as a Food Stall for Charity on Family Day, Habitat for Humanity donations, and other fundraising efforts. These programs involve students in community service and social responsibility. | Community & service The Diploma Programme includes a Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) component as part of its core requirements. |
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Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional Student leadership is integrated into CIA FIRST, with Student Learners' Voice and a Student Council representing Kindergarten through High School. The council leads initiatives to enrich the student experience and organize projects. Elections and leadership opportunities are ongoing to enable students to lead and contribute to the school community. | Leadership & professional The school emphasizes small class sizes and a low student-to-teacher ratio to support individual learning, and provides opportunities for student development within a global IB framework. |
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing Extracurricular activities include Football and Yoga, which support physical fitness and well-being. Dance and movement opportunities provide mindfulness and expression. The ECA program emphasizes balanced growth and well-being alongside academics. | Lifestyle & wellbeing Facilities include athletic fields and an indoor sports hall to support physical well-being, as well as a library and quiet spaces for study and collaboration. |
| Language provision | Language provision | |
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Language provision
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Language provision English is taught as a core subject across grade levels, including English Language Arts in Middle and High School. Khmer language and culture are taught through FTK and FTC programs; FTK blends the international curriculum with Khmer accreditation for a bilingual learning experience, and FTC adds daily Khmer Language and Culture classes. World Language and Culture Electives are offered in Elementary and Middle School. The curriculum is constructivist and UbD-based, with WASC and MoEYS accreditation and AP courses available in the international track. | Language provision The school offers three languages: English, Khmer, and Chinese. The USA Curriculum Primary School Program teaches all classes in English. The Cambodia Curriculum Primary School Program teaches all classes in Khmer. The Chinese Curriculum includes a Chinese Primary Years Programme and Chinese Middle and High School Programmes with instruction in Chinese. |
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Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching CIA FIRST offers bilingual options through Full Time Khmer (FTK) and Full Time Khmer Language and Culture (FTC). FTK blends the international curriculum with Khmer-accredited education, providing a bilingual learning experience. FTC adds daily Khmer Language and Culture classes to the international program, enabling Khmer language development while pursuing AP courses. These options run alongside the Full Time International (FTI) track. | Bilingual teaching — |
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Immersion programs
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Immersion programs — | Immersion programs English immersion is available through the USA Curriculum Primary School Program, where all classes are taught in English by native English-speaking teachers. Chinese immersion is available through the Chinese Curriculum, including the Chinese Primary Years Programme and Chinese Middle and High School Programmes, with all classes taught in Chinese by native Chinese teachers. |
| Reputation | Reputation | |
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Awards
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Awards — | Awards Summary of school awards (past five years — Dec 30, 2020 to Dec 30, 2025): - No school‑level awards listed on the GGAS website for this period. I reviewed the school's Accreditation, About/Academics, IB and News pages and found references to accreditations, partnerships and multiple news items about students' competition results (for example, Teeneagle and other contest results), but there are no entries on the website that state an award was given to the school itself in the past five years. Examples of student‑focused items (not school awards) on the site are news posts highlighting student medals and trophies. If you'd like, I can (a) recheck the site for earlier years or other pages the school may add later, or (b) contact the school (contact details are on the site) to request an authoritative list of institutional awards and external recognitions. |
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Accreditations
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Accreditations The following accreditations, memberships and authorised curricula are explicitly listed on CIA FIRST's website (each line: accreditation — one-line explanation and significance): - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — WASC is a U.S. regional accrediting body; CIA FIRST's website states the school holds WASC accreditation for PK–12, which means its international diploma is recognised as equivalent to an American high-school diploma and that the school has undergone WASC's continuous-evaluation process. - Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), Cambodia — the site states that the school's Khmer programme and the international high‑school diploma are officially recognised by MoEYS (the Grade 12 diploma is treated as equivalent to the national Grade 12 Khmer diploma), indicating formal national recognition. - East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) — the school lists EARCOS among its accreditations/memberships; EARCOS is a regional organisation for international schools in East Asia that supports professional collaboration and school development. - College Board — the website states CIA FIRST runs College Board–approved Advanced Placement (AP) courses and is approved to run the AP Capstone Diploma; this indicates the school is authorised to offer AP curriculum and assessments that are recognised by many universities. - Habits of Mind (HoM) — the site identifies Habits of Mind as a framework used by the school; Habits of Mind is a set of dispositions for problem solving and lifelong learning that the school uses to structure teaching and learning. - Understanding by Design (UbD) — the curriculum pages state CIA FIRST uses the UbD framework; UbD is a curriculum-planning approach focused on teaching for understanding and on backward design of learning outcomes. (Notes: the items above are taken from the school's public pages describing curriculum, accreditations and "Why Choose" information. I limited entries to items explicitly presented on the school website.) | Accreditations Golden Gate American School — accreditations and what they mean: - Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS): the school is officially recognised and described on the website as "fully accredited" by Cambodia's national education authority; this confirms GGAS meets national regulatory and curriculum requirements. - International Baccalaureate (IB) authorizations: GGAS is authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP); the school is also a candidate for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) with completion expected by December 2025. Authorization to offer IB programmes indicates the school follows IB teaching and assessment standards for those programmes. - Council of International Schools (CIS) membership and progressing toward accreditation: the website states GGAS is a CIS member and is working toward full CIS accreditation; CIS membership and accreditation mean the school is aligning with internationally recognised quality standards for international schools. - College Board certification (AP courses): the site states GGAS is certified by the College Board to offer 16 Advanced Placement (AP) courses; College Board certification indicates the school meets the College Board's requirements to deliver AP curricula. - Recognised SAT and ACT test centre: the school is listed on its website as an on‑campus test centre for SAT and ACT exams, which provides students local access to those standardised college‑admissions tests. - Dual Diploma partnership with Busche Academy (USA): the website describes a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Busche Academy allowing GGAS students to receive a U.S. transcript and high‑school diploma through that partnership; this is presented as an academic partnership that supports an authentic U.S. diploma pathway. |
| Admissions | Admissions | |
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Admissions
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Admissions 1. Make an inquiry and/or book a campus tour. Contact the Admissions office to ask about program options (Full‑Time International, Full‑Time Khmer, or Khmer Language & Culture) and to arrange an on‑site tour at the campus you prefer. Parents should bring or be ready to upload basic documents (ID, previous school reports) when requested and note that the school recommends scheduling visits in advance during Admissions office hours. See the school's published enrollment steps and contact links. 2. Readiness assessment and admissions test. Kindergarten applicants sit a short readiness assessment (about 20–30 minutes); students from Grade 1 to Grade 12 take a paper‑ or computer‑based entrance test (approximately 2–3 hours) followed by an interview with a school principal. Parents should confirm which campus and test format will be used for their child, prepare recent school reports if applicable, and allow time for the post‑test interview that influences placement. Test scheduling is done through the Admissions team. 3. Submit an application after assessment. If the student passes the readiness assessment or admissions test the school will issue an enrollment offer and parents complete the formal application. The school provides an application form to download and asks that supporting documents (birth certificate/passport, previous transcripts, immunisation records where requested) be submitted with the form. Verify that the child's intended program (FTI, FTK, FTC) and campus are correctly shown on the application to avoid later schedule or fee mismatches. 4. Pay fees to secure the seat and complete enrolment. The offer becomes a confirmed place once required one‑time and tuition payments are made; the site lists common items that must be paid (registration fee, tuition, technology/resource fees, uniform sets and other miscellaneous fees). The public fee page shows an Entrance Test Fee of $40 (one‑time) and a Registration Fee of $850 (one‑time); parents should download the detailed AY fee schedule and check payment deadlines and bank transfer instructions before paying. If you need payment plans, campus‑specific figures (some campuses list different tuition ranges) or promotional discounts, contact Admissions for the current schedule and any time‑limited offers. | Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and campus visit. Start by completing the online “Apply Now”/Inquiry form or calling the Admissions Office to request a campus visit; the school encourages parents to visit their preferred GGAS campus before applying. When you request a visit, you can select which of the GGAS campuses you want to see (Ou Baek Kam, Phnom Penh Thmei, or Tuol Kork) and ask for a time that fits your schedule. Parents should be aware the inquiry form asks for basic family and contact details and gives you the option to request a visit directly. 2. Submission of application / registration. Complete the registration form and submit it along with the required documents as instructed by the Admissions Office; the school's admissions page lists “Submission of Application” / “Registration” as the first formal step. The website does not itemize every required document on that page, so before you submit be sure to confirm the exact list with admissions (for example, some families are asked to provide proof of identity and prior-school records). Also note the school's office hours for phone queries if you need help completing forms. 3. Assessment and interview. Prospective students undergo an assessment whose format “varies by age” (the school notes that evaluations may take place during the campus visit or at a later date). Expect younger children to be assessed through observation or age-appropriate activities, and older students through placement tests or interviews in English and key subjects; confirm exact test content and timing with admissions so you can prepare any previous-school records or work samples they require. If English is not your child's first language, ask the school whether language-support options or adjusted assessments apply. 4. Offer, acceptance and enrolment paperwork. If the assessment and document checks are successful, the school will progress to an offer/enrolment stage and will request completed admissions paperwork and payment arrangements; the site states parents must arrange payment of tuition and fees by the start of the new school year. Before accepting an offer, check the enrolment contract for the payment schedule, any non-refundable deposits or registration fees, and the school's refund/cancellation terms. Use the Admissions Office contact details to request a written copy of all fees and the contract terms before you sign. 5. Tuition, additional charges and where to find the fee schedule. GGAS publishes tuition and related-fee schedules for each academic year (the admissions page links to the school's tuition/fee documents for 2024–25 and lists separate charges for bus transport, lunch plans, after‑school programmes and trips). Third‑party fee listings for 2024–25 show annual tuition figures that range roughly from about 13,200,000 KHR for early years up to approximately 24,800,000 KHR for Grade 12; these figures should be treated as illustrative and you should confirm current prices and currency options with the school. When budgeting, ask specifically about one‑time enrolment charges, activity fees, bus route availability and whether lunches or after‑school clubs are charged separately. 6. Payment options and deadlines. The school's admissions guidance stresses that parents must arrange payment by the start of the academic year; confirm the accepted payment methods (bank transfer, online payment or in‑office), deadlines for instalments, and any discounts for one‑off or advance payments. If you need a payment plan, request written confirmation of the instalment schedule and any administrative fees so there are no misunderstandings at enrolment. Keep receipts and the student ID/payment references the school provides for future invoicing or sibling discounts. 7. Start of term, records and ongoing communication. Before your child's start date, confirm arrival/orientation arrangements, uniform or supplies lists, and how the school manages ongoing reporting and parent contact. If you are transferring schools, ask how GGAS will handle transcript transfers and curriculum placement; the school also highlights partnerships and diploma arrangements that may affect graduation pathways. Keep the Admissions Office contact details handy for follow-up questions and to inform the school of any late paperwork or special needs. |
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Scholarships
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Scholarships There is no single, clearly described merit scholarship programme listed on the school's main Admissions or School Fees pages. The public site does, however, show that CIA FIRST has active partnerships and promotional arrangements that can include discounts, tuition credits, or scholarship opportunities: for example, a memorandum of understanding with the American University of Phnom Penh references scholarship and tuition‑discount pathways for CIA FIRST students, and a more recent partnership announcement with Trinity College (University of Melbourne) refers to a scholarship opportunity (up to a stated amount in that announcement). The school also appears in third‑party promotion programmes and member discount schemes (for example insurer or chamber member offers) that list registration or tuition concessions for eligible customers. Because these offers vary by year, campus, partner and target group (founding‑family discounts, partner promotions, or university‑pathway scholarships), parents should not assume a permanent, school‑wide need‑ or merit‑based scholarship is available; instead, ask Admissions which current scholarships, partner discounts, or promotional offers apply to your child, what the eligibility criteria are, and whether an additional application is required. For program‑specific scholarship details and the most recent availability, contact admissions@ciaschool.edu.kh or request the Admissions team to confirm any partnership scholarships and timelines. | Scholarships GGAS's own “Why Choose GGAS?” page states the school offers scholarship opportunities and flexible payment plans, but the website does not post a detailed public policy (eligibility criteria, application deadlines or the precise amount and duration of scholarships are not listed on that page). Local education news and open‑day coverage have reported specific promotional scholarship offers at times (for example, third‑party reports mentioned enrollment incentives such as multi‑year tuition discounts or a 40% scholarship offered as an open‑day incentive), but those offers are event/time‑limited and should be verified directly with the school. If you are seeking fee assistance or a merit/need scholarship, contact the Admissions Office to request the current scholarship programme, the application form (if any), eligibility criteria and the decision timetable. |
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Waitlist
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Waitlist The school's public admissions pages do not describe a formal, published waitlist or central pool system; instead they emphasise that seats are limited and recommend starting the application process early. Because the website directs families to inquire and schedule tests and notes that places are secured by payment, the practical implication is that availability is managed case‑by‑case by the Admissions office rather than through a clearly advertised waitlist. If you are applying and a grade/campus is full, ask Admissions whether they operate an internal waiting list, what the typical wait times are, and how they notify families (email, phone, or their student management system). For the most accurate, up‑to‑date answer about current seat availability or an internal wait list for a specific campus/grade, contact admissions@ciaschool.edu.kh or the phone numbers listed on the site. | Waitlist The GGAS website and admissions pages do not publish a formal waiting‑list or pool policy; the public admissions information focuses on visiting, applying, assessment and payment rather than an administratively detailed waitlist. Because the site does not describe how a waitlist would operate (if one exists), parents who need to know whether places are available or who want to be added to any internal waiting pool should contact the Admissions Office directly by phone or email to request current availability and the school's procedure for holding or offering places. Use the Admissions contact hours listed on the site when you call so you reach the staff who can confirm openings, priority rules (for siblings or returning families) and any deadlines. |
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