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Lycée Français René Descartes

Cambodia, Phnom Penh

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees KHR 24,225,554 - 31,611,492
Ages 3 - 17 years
Pupil numbers 1150
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1951
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum French Curriculum, American Curriculum
Taught languages English, Spanish, Mandarin
Strengths Languages, Sport, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, High School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD) is an AEFE‑homologated French school in Phnom Penh, founded in 1951. It provides French national curriculum teaching from maternelle through terminale and runs a Section Internationale Américaine (SIA) with options leading to the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI). The school's language pathways include daily Khmer lessons and instruction/support in English, Spanish and Chinese; the SIA offers additional English‑language instruction. In September 2023 LFRD opened a small internat (boarding house) for élèves de 3ème à terminale (capacity up to 15); boarders are transported to/from school each day by the internat shuttles. Annual tuition (2025–2026) ranges from USD 5,526 (primary, French/Cambodian nationality rate) up to USD 9,855 (lycée, other nationalities). The school publishes details on fees, language pathways, SIA and the internat on its website.

The Essentials

Lycée Français René Descartes has 1,150 pupils, instruction in French, English.

Location
The Lycée Français René Descartes is located at Rue Christopher Howes (Rue 96), Wat Phnom, BP 1132, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The campus sits in the Daun Penh district in central Phnom Penh, near the Wat Phnom area, with access to local transport such as taxis and tuk-tuks. The address is publicly listed as part of its Phnom Penh footprint.

Stages
The school serves preschool through terminale (the final year of lycée). Classes range from petite section (maternelle) to terminale, and the curriculum includes the Brevet des Collèges and the Baccalauréat.

Type
The school is a co-educational day school; there are no public indications of boarding facilities.

Additional learning support
The school follows an inclusive education approach. For students with special educational needs, LFRD provides three specialized teachers, an orthophoniste (speech-language pathologist), and a school psychologist who work with families to create an action plan and an individualized support arrangement.

Country affiliation
The school is affiliated with France through the AEFE network (Agency for French Education Abroad) under agreement with the French government.

Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation is not listed; the school operates as a secular French international school.

School day structure
Exact start and end times are not published publicly. The school provides on-site meals: Kindergarten meals around $3.60 per meal; Primary/Middle/High school meals around $4 per meal.

Bus service
A publicly listed school bus service is not indicated on the site.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is available for students from Year 9 through Terminale. The on-site dormitory, opened in September 2023, is supervised by two staff and provides housing and meals, with a daily shuttle to the lycée. Boarders stay Sunday evening through Friday evening and may return home or stay with a host family on weekends and holidays. The dormitory can accommodate up to 15 residents, and the annual price for lodging and meals is $5,200, with scholarships available.

Food Options
School meals are provided through the school's catering service. Prices per meal are $3.60 for Maternelle, and $4.00 for Primary, Collège, and Lycée.

Governance and Ownership
The Lycée Français René Descartes is a private, non-profit school run by the management and the board of the Association des Parents d'Élèves (APE), under contract with AEFE. The school is AEFE-contracted and is co-governed by the APE and the leadership team named by AEFE, with governance defined by the AEFE convention and a partnership between elected parents and the school leadership.
Fees

Annual tuition at Lycée Français René Descartes ranges from KHR 24,225,554 to KHR 31,611,492 for 2026/27.

Application and registration fees
- First (initial) enrolment fee: USD 2,300 for students of Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 3,042 for students of other nationalities.
- Re-enrolment (registration) fee: USD 496 for Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 571 for other nationalities.

Annual tuition fees by school level
- Primary (per year): USD 5,526 for Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 7,415 for other nationalities.
- Collège / Middle school (per year): USD 6,512 for Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 8,720 for other nationalities.
- Lycée / High school (per year): USD 7,362 for Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 9,855 for other nationalities.

Billing schedule and per-term amounts (annual fees split over three terms)
- The school bills fees in three periods (trimesters) and applies the standard split of 40% of the annual tuition for the first term, 30% for the second term and 30% for the third term. Invoices are issued at the start of each period and are payable within 15 days of the invoice date.
- Per-term amounts calculated on that 40% / 30% / 30% basis (amounts shown in USD):
- Primary (Cambodian/French): 1st term USD 2,210.40; 2nd term USD 1,657.80; 3rd term USD 1,657.80.
- Primary (other nationalities): 1st term USD 2,966.00; 2nd term USD 2,224.50; 3rd term USD 2,224.50.
- Collège (Cambodian/French): 1st term USD 2,604.80; 2nd term USD 1,953.60; 3rd term USD 1,953.60.
- Collège (other nationalities): 1st term USD 3,488.00; 2nd term USD 2,616.00; 3rd term USD 2,616.00.
- Lycée (Cambodian/French): 1st term USD 2,944.80; 2nd term USD 2,208.60; 3rd term USD 2,208.60.
- Lycée (other nationalities): 1st term USD 3,942.00; 2nd term USD 2,956.50; 3rd term USD 2,956.50.
- Standard trimester calendar: 1st term = September–December; 2nd term = January–March; 3rd term = April–June.

Billing and payment terms (key points)
- Families may choose to pay annually or by trimester; invoices for each period are issued in advance and are payable within 15 days of the invoice date.
- A family may request exceptional monthly instalment arrangements; such requests must be submitted in writing and require approval by the school's management/board.
- Arrivals or departures during a trimester are handled on a prorata temporis basis with the rule that any month begun is due in full.
- Consequences of non-payment include suspension of participation in activities, temporary exclusion from classes, and possible cancellation of registration if invoices remain unpaid beyond the stated deadlines.

Boarding (internat) fees
- Boarding is available for students in third (3ème) to terminale. The annual boarding fee (including accommodation and meals) is USD 5,200 per academic year. Pupils receiving school bursaries receive support on the same scale as their awarded bursary; transport for bursary students to family homes is included at the bursary rate.

Other costs and typical ancillary fees
- School meals: USD 3.60 per meal for kindergarten (maternelle); USD 4.00 per meal for primary, collège and lycée.
- Extracurricular activities: charged per semester; indicative price ranges by activity are published (examples: homework help USD 55–70 per semester; various sports and arts activities typically USD 20–120 per semester depending on level and frequency).
- Exam/registration-related fees and some other charges (exam entries, specific activity fees, certain material fees) are billed separately when applicable; exam fees are billed when registrations are made and are not refundable once the school has completed the registration with the examining authority.
- The standard tuition fee covers several items: membership to the parents' association, loan of textbooks, civil-liability insurance, school supplies for primary and art materials for collège, as specified in the school's financial regulations.
- No uniform charge is listed as a compulsory school fee on the published fee schedule; costs for optional items or specific equipment (sports kit, special materials) may apply and are billed separately when required.

Refunds and non‑refundables
- Initial enrolment (first-inscription) fees are non‑refundable. Exam registration fees are not refundable once the school has processed the entries with the examining authority.
- For families leaving the school during a trimester, a prorated adjustment is applied with the policy that any month started is payable in full; the school requires account settlement and return of loaned materials before final departure formalities are completed.

Accepted payment methods and practical notes
- Accepted payment methods include bank transfer (bank details are provided on invoices), payment by cheque where applicable, and cash deposits following the instructions printed on the invoice; bank transfer fees are borne by the payer. Credit-card payment is not listed as a standard method in the published financial regulations.
- Bank transfers must include the pupil's name, class and the period being paid so the school can allocate the payment correctly. Families whose fees are paid by an employer remain contractually responsible for timely payment and should ensure the school receives the funds by the invoice due date.

Sibling discounts and reductions
- Sibling reductions are published: discounts on first-inscription fees (e.g., a USD 50 reduction for the third child and USD 100 per child from the fourth child onward) and reductions on annual tuition (for example, 2nd and 3rd child: 8% annual reduction; 4th child and beyond: 10% annual reduction) as set out in the fee schedule.

Contact for finance matters
- The school's finance department can be contacted by phone at +855 77 414 965 or by email at finance@lfrd.net for invoice queries, payment instructions and confirmation of bank details.

(Amounts and procedural rules are given in USD as published in the school's official fees and financial regulations.)
Academics

Lycée Français René Descartes teaches French Curriculum, American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 17.

Curriculum
Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD) in Phnom Penh provides the French national curriculum from preschool through terminale, aligned with AEFE standards and supported by the French Embassy. Instruction is delivered primarily in French, with English and Khmer offered as language options and language learning placed at the heart of the program. Cycle 2 (grades 1–3) covers French and mathematics, adds English and the host-country language, plus arts, physical education and civic education. Cycle 3 (grades 4–6) continues consolidation and prepares for secondary education; in the lycée, the 10th grade introduces Economics and Social Sciences (SES) and Digital Sciences and Technology (SNT) with electives and a weekly hours framework around 26–30 hours. From Seconde (10th) to Terminale (12th), core subjects include French, history-geography, sciences and modern languages, with a range of electives in 11th grade and Philosophy becoming compulsory in Terminale; final results count toward the Baccalauréat, with pathways to the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) and a Section Internationale Américaine (SIA) available.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD) promotes social and emotional development through an inclusive school culture where all pupils are treated with kindness, in their individual uniqueness, and receive support to progress. An explicit inclusive ethos aims to ensure a successful learning journey from kindergarten to lycée, with a strong emphasis on student wellbeing and belonging. The school emphasises a close school–family partnership as a fundamental lever for students' growth, flourishing, and achievement. For pupils with special educational needs, the teaching teams are assisted by three specialized teachers, a speech-language pathologist, and a school psychologist, who, with parents, propose an action plan and tailor a pedagogical setup to meet each student's needs. This framework integrates wellbeing, belonging, and tailored support within the broader educational approach.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The LFRD uses an inclusion model to support students with special educational needs. For pupils with ‘besoins éducatifs particuliers,' the pedagogy teams work with three specialized teachers, a speech-language pathologist, and a school psychologist to develop an action plan and an adapted educational arrangement in agreement with parents. The aim is to enable each student to progress and realize their full potential within the school from early years through to lycée. The site does not enumerate specific categories of SEN; the emphasis is on an inclusive, individualized approach rather than a separate SEN unit. The school describes the partnership between school and family as a fundamental lever for the wellbeing and success of students with special educational needs. The establishment is not presented as a dedicated SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
EAL support is integrated into LFRD's language pathways. The school foregrounds multilingual environments and language development as central to its identity, with explicit emphasis on English, Khmer, and other world languages. AEFE-initiated PARLE (Parcours Adaptés et Renforcés de Langues Étrangères) aims to strengthen foreign-language proficiency through EMILE (integrated content in a foreign language) in the first cycle or DNL (discipline non linguistique) in the second cycle. In the lycée, students can choose a fourth language—Spanish or Chinese—as part of these language-parcours options. The Section Internationale Américaine (SIA) provides a bilingual/bi-cultural pathway focused on English language study and American culture, facilitating access to higher education in the United States and other Anglophone contexts. These provisions collectively represent formal EAL support and bilingual opportunities rather than ad hoc assistance.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through an inclusive approach that emphasizes student care and a nurturing climate. The school highlights that every student is welcomed in a respectful, caring environment, with ongoing attention to progress and well‑being as part of the learning journey. The inclusion team includes a school psychologist, underscoring access to mental health–related support within the school structure. Physical education and sport are valued as vehicles for health, autonomy, discipline, teamwork, and social values, contributing to students' overall wellbeing. LFRD also notes the central role of school–family partnership in supporting students' emotional and social development.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and child protection are embedded in the school's safety-oriented, caring climate. The site describes the campus as safe and the environment as one where younger students learn and grow within a secure, nurturing context. The emphasis on an inclusive, respectful culture and on school–family partnerships likewise supports safeguarding by promoting oversight and supportive relationships. Explicit safeguarding policies are not itemized on the public pages, but safety and well‑being are presented as core priorities across the school's communications. The materials emphasize creating a safe, supportive setting for all students from maternelle through lycée.
Parent Experience

History
The Lyce9e Frane7ais Rene Descartes (LFRD) in Phnom Penh was inaugurated in March 1951 with 252 students, marking the official return of structured French education to post-war Cambodia. It began as a school serving French expatriates and Cambodian elites and quickly evolved into a center of bilingual and multicultural education. The school was closed during the Khmer Rouge regime in 1974 and reopened in 1991 by a group of parents, reviving French education in Phnom Penh. Over the following decades the campus was expanded and modernized, with new facilities added to accommodate a growing student population. LFRD operates as a non-profit association under French law and is AEFE-accredited, providing instruction from preschool through terminale in line with the French national curriculum.

Community
Since its founding in 1951, LFRD has embodied Franco-Cambodian friendship, with French as the primary language of instruction and Khmer taught daily as part of linguistic pathways that also enable learning English, Spanish, and Chinese. The school participates in Phnom Penh9s cultural life through collaboration with the Institut Franais du Cambodge (IFC) and hosts events such as La Nuit des Ide9es, science fairs, and art exhibitions. Anniversaries and public performances bring together diplomats, alumni, and community leaders, underscoring the school9s role in the city9s cultural scene. Recent renovations reflect ongoing community involvement, including significant input from the Parents7 Association (APE).

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school9s Parentsb0 Association (APE) is a formal body that participates in school governance and life. The APE has played a significant role in campus renovations, with involvement from its board members and administrators. This parent-led involvement demonstrates the active engagement of families in shaping facilities and resources for students. The school governance framework includes the APE alongside the elected board and French educational administrators. The Lyce9e Frane7ais Rene Descartes operates within the AEFE network and maintains close ties with the French Embassy and Institut Franais du Cambodge, creating opportunities for parent-led initiatives and cross-cultural exchange. APE coordination with school leadership supports ongoing activities and events that enrich student life.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus was recently restructured with facilities that are well suited for preschool and elementary students. French is the primary language of instruction, with Khmer taught daily as part of linguistic pathways alongside English, Spanish, and Chinese. The library system includes a primary library (BCD Primaire) and a Centre de Documentation et d'Information (CDI) of 230 m² with an online catalog and abundant resources. The school offers a school meals program with Preschool meals at $3.60 and Primary/College/Lycee meals at $4. After-school care (periscolaire) and a range of activities are available, supported by the Parents' Association.

Sports Facilities
A Basketball section was opened for the 2023 school year. Physical Education is mandatory across all levels: Primary three hours per week; College four hours in 6th grade and three hours in other grades; Lycée two hours per week. An optional sports track provides two extra hours per week and training for Young Officials. The program emphasizes teamwork, inclusion, and citizenship and includes inter-school matches via the school's sports structure.

Academic Facilities
The school is AEFE-accredited and follows the French Ministry of National Education curricula for preschool through terminale. French is the primary language of instruction; Khmer is taught daily, with English, Spanish, and Chinese available as foreign languages. Inclusive education is supported by a dedicated team including three specialized teachers, a speech-language pathologist, and a school psychologist. Language pathways include PARLE for reinforced foreign language learning, EMILE-based DNL, and a Khmer language pathway (PLK); In lycée, students may choose a fourth language (Spanish or Chinese). The American International Section (SIA) offers an avenue to the International French Baccalaureate (BFI). The CDI is 230 m², with a wide range of resources and an online catalog; BCD Primaire provides a primary library.

Extra Curricular Facilities
After-school care (periscolaire) is offered. The school runs an active sports program via the Sports Association and offers a basketball section; Model United Nations; trips (Voyages); and vacation camps. Cultural and citizenship activities are regularly featured, and AEFE-related exchanges and activities are encouraged.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is homologated by the French Ministry of National Education and offers education from kindergarten through terminale in accordance with official French programs. French is the language of instruction; Khmer is taught daily through the Khmer Language Pathways. Reinforced language pathways in English, Khmer, Spanish, and Chinese are available, including the Section Internationale Américaine (SIA) for English and the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) from première. The school reports excellent results in the Diplôme National du Brevet, the baccalauréat, and certifications.

Arts & Creative
Arts et Culture is a component of the pedagogy. Library resources are provided through Nos bibliothèques (BCD Primaire and CDI) to support arts and culture. Cultural activities are integrated into school life and reflected in ongoing programs such as Album de l'année.

Cultural & Language
Parcours linguistiques offers reinforced language pathways in English, Chinese, Khmer, and Spanish, with French as the host language. PARLE (Parcours Adaptés et Renforcés de Langues Étrangères) strengthens foreign-language learning through EMILE (teaching a subject in a foreign language) or DNL (discipline non linguistique). The Khmer Language Pathway (PLK) strengthens Khmer and supports a trilateral lineup with French and English starting in cycle 4. The Section Internationale Américaine (SIA) provides bilingual/bicultural programming, and the BFI supports access to higher education in the United States.

Social & Hobbies
Activities include Le périscolaire (after-school), L'Association Sportive (sports association), Les rencontres, and Les camps de vacances (holiday camps). Voyages and other excursions are part of student life. The school's libraries (BCD Primaire and CDI) support informal culture and reading activities as part of daily life.

Community & Service
The school operates as an association à but non lucratif under Loi 1901. The Association des Parents d'Élèves (APE) contributed to recent restructuring and governance. The school maintains close collaboration with the Embassy of France and the Institut Français du Cambodge (IFC). The address is PO Box 1132, Rue 96 (Christopher Howes), Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh; +855 61 805 832; secretariat@lfrd.net.

Leadership & Professional
Governing bodies include the direction, the board of administration, the conseil d'établissement, and the conseil d'école, alongside the L'APE. The school hosts Model United Nations (MUN) programs and participates in Agora Monde for orientation and higher-education discussions. The school emphasizes excellence and multicultural openness as core values, aligned with AEFE-network principles. The leadership highlights collaboration with national and international partners to advance student opportunities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical education is mandatory for all students, with two hours of EPS per week for lycée and opportunities for deeper sports training. A basketball section was opened in 2023. The EPS curriculum emphasizes physical health, safety, autonomy, and citizenship through regular activity and structured evaluation.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages offered as reinforced pathways include English, Chinese, Khmer, and Spanish; Khmer language is strengthened through PLK, a tri-lingual path with French, Khmer, and English from cycle 4; The SIA (American Section) provides bilingual/bicultural studies; PARLE enables EMILE or DNL in various levels; In the lycée, students may choose a fourth language (Spanish or Chinese).

Bilingual Teaching
The Lycée Français René Descartes offers bilingual pathways through the American Section (SIA), which provides bilingual and bicultural instruction within the French system. The SIA integrates American language and literature to support access to higher education in the United States via the BFI option. The school also offers PARLE (Parcours Adaptés et Renforcés de Langues Étrangères), strengthening foreign-language training with EMILE (an integrated-language approach) or DNL (a non-language discipline) in different levels. The Khmer Language Pathway (PLK) provides a tri-lingual option of French, Khmer, and English starting from cycle 4.

Immersion Programs
EMILE and DNL-based approaches provide language-immersed study in a foreign language across levels. PARLE supports this approach by delivering disciplinary content in the same foreign language. From cycle 4, students can follow a Khmer-language track (PLK) that strengthens Khmer while incorporating French and English.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
The school is accredited by the French Ministry of National Education and is part of the AEFE network under an agreement with AEFE; it benefits from support from the French Embassy and collaboration with the Institut Français du Cambodge.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1. Pre-registration for new admissions is conducted online via the EDUKA platform. The pre-registration campaign for the 2025 02026 school year for children not currently enrolled at LFRD is closed. A strict list of criteria governs first-time enrollment due to high demand.
Step 2. Enrollment decisions for new registrations are processed online via EDUKA, with selection based on the established criteria. The school is accredited by AEFE and follows official curricula.
Step 3. Required documents for new admissions include a valid passport, an ID photo, and a vaccination record; expired documents are not accepted.
Step 4. Re-enrollment is completed in EDUKA using the Re-enrollment tab; the 2025 02026 re-enrollment campaign is closed. Payments must be made by May 8, balances must be zero, and scholarship applicants may have post-results payment arrangements.
Step 5. For assistance, contact the Admission office via email and phone.

Scholarships
Two scholarship campaigns are organized each year by the French Embassy in Cambodia, in January and September. Scholarships are awarded under conditions of resources and are available to French residents in the consular district enrolled in AEFE-homologated schools. For more information, refer to the school's scholarship details and contact the secretariat for guidance.
School Events
The school has not added events
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