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Top international English schools in Phnom Penh

As a parent, selecting an international English school is

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, there are more than 50 private English schools, and it can be daunting for parents to choose the best one for their children. However, there are a few well-respected international English schools in the city, including The American School of Phnom Penh, International School of Phnom Penh, Paragon International School, Phnom Penh International School, and Aii Language Center, among others. The British International School Phnom Penh provides education based on the National Curriculum of England with additional elements reflecting local culture.

As a parent, selecting an international English school is not an easy task. Thus, this mini-guide can assist you in finding the best school for your children. The guide offers insights into the top international English schools in Phnom Penh, along with their websites for further details.

Apart from the well-known schools, The Giving Tree School is an English school in the heart of Phnom Penh that provides a play-based learning approach to nurture young children. The school is open to learners from the age of one year to 10 years old. The Giving Tree School offers children the space to imagine and express themselves through art, music, gym, yoga, swimming, and cooking.

The blog post aims to help parents who are looking for the best international English school in Phnom Penh.

The American School of Phnom Penh (ASPP)

This school is known for its strong academic program and its American-style curriculum. It has a pre-school, elementary and secondary school.

International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)

ISPP is an accredited international school that offers an English language-based education for students from pre-school to grade 12. It follows an American curriculum and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Paragon International School

is a private school which offers an American-style education with an emphasis on the Khmer language and culture. It offers classes from pre-school to high school.

Phnom Penh International School (PPIS)

PPIS is a private school which offers an American-style education for students from pre-school to high school.

Aii Language Center

Aii Language Center is a private institution that focuses on teaching English as a second language. It offers classes for students of all ages and levels of proficiency.

The British International School Phnom Penh

The British International School Phnom Penh (BISPP) provides an education based on the National Curriculum of England, with additional elements that are designed to reflect the local culture.

The landscape of Phnom Penh is changing dramatically, and international schools offering English language education are now more prevalent than ever before. In fact, there are more than 50 private English schools in the Cambodian capital city. I am writing this review of international English schools in Phnom Penh because I live and raise two kids in the city.

Before enrolling them, I had to do some research and talk with friends who have sent their kids to school. As you can see, I’ve written more details about some schools than others because my kids have studied there.

If you’re looking for the best English school for your children, this mini guide is written for you. When searching for an international English school for my children, I spent days on my research and compiled this list of the top international English schools in Phnom Penh. So, you don’t have to.

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, there are many international English schools. Parents now have more choices for kindergarten or pre-school education than ever before. Most of these schools are well-established, reputable, and internationally recognized. I have also included links to the schools’ websites for more details and the latest updates.

The Giving Tree School, an English school in the heart of Phnom Penh

Nursery: $2,380 A play-based English school in Phnom Penh, The Giving Tree School has opened since 2008. The international preschool is open to little and growing learners, from the age of 1 year to 10 years old. Although it’s not affiliated with the Montessori education, the Giving Tree’s approach to nurturing young children is play.

This Giving Tree school offers children a playground to grow and learn about the world through their discovery. It is a preschool where children have the space to imagine and express themselves. So that they can gain confidence and understanding. When the morning starts, children can enjoy arts, music, gym, yoga, swimming, and cooking. We all know how important it is to give our kids time and space to explore and experience the world around them.

In addition to play-based learning approach to nurture young kids to learn, it’s the space, the setup, and the environment for the kids to become more self-independent. From changing their clothes for water-play to eating, the boys and girls learn to be on their own. Most of the time, children tend to rely on their the adults to side with them and support them. But the teachers and the assistants know their way very well.

You’d also have a chance to meet with your child’s teacher and the parents of your child’s classmates. It’s called Monday Night, when you can get a better understanding of your child in the classroom. This is when you’d feel excited about asking the teacher about your young learner. You’ll have a chance to get to know other parents as well. While this is a chance to have a chat with the teacher in person, it’s not the end.

The teacher communicates with the parents regularly, which gives you daily mini report about your child. It’s like a debrief of the activity and behavior of your son or daughter day in day out. The teacher also shares with us parents weekly updates through a blog with notes, photos, and announcements. Every week, you also receive email newsletter from the school principal.

The Giving Tree School engages with parents through community events. This would allow everyone to take part, share, and enjoy the school space. The community here also means diversity. You’d be surprised to learn that the teachers and the pupils come from many many parts of the world. They share one thing in common: educating and learning with joy and fun.

The Giving Tree School teachers also take the pupils out for field trips.

Strong Spirit of Community

The Giving Tree School tends to engage with the parents and form a community. The school has worked to organize the After School Activities. The school space is more open and accessible to everyone in the community and the public.

The Giving Tree School open to us parents during non-school hours. There are times when you want to spend quality time with your children during the weekend. So you may have to take your kids to the swimming pool or to mega mall AEON or Kids City Edutainment Center. But the school is an ideal outdoor place to take your kids to. Unlike other schools, The Giving Tree School had dedicated space for outdoor activities. In short, the school is the open space playground.

What’s the IPC?

The school’s primary program follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). It’s a curriculum with a clear process of learning and with learning goals for every subject. It’s an educational system for 3-12 year olds. Until now, the IPC is being used by schools in more than 90 countries around the world.

School fee

The nursery class’s annual fee is about $2,380. The kindergarten has classes such as Monkeys (3-4 years), Owls (4-5 years), and Elephants (5-6 years): the fee starts from $2792 to $4040.

Locations

One of the most important things about choosing a school for children is the school location. For those living in the Cambodian capital, in BKK 1, you may notice a few of The Giving Tree School branches in the area. The main branch is close to Chea Sim Boeung Keng Kang High School or a few walk from City Villa Hotel Phnom Penh. Its two other branches (pre-school and nursery) are also in this area. Also to the location in BKK 1, The Giving Tree also has a more spacious school branch in Toul Kork.

The Giving Tree School Toul Kork branch: sand, swing, and swimming pool among other kid friendly stuff in a spacious playground-like environment.

Footprints International Schools (FIS) in Phnom Penh: Review

Footprints International School offers both English and Khmer to the pupils. The primary 4 disciplines are mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. FIS also includes basic technology, health, arts, music, swimming, and physical education. The school believes that “children learn better when new skills and ideas are taught to them using a theme or a topic to help them learn.”

The school was first started out in 2007. It is an example of how a small school has grown to become internationally-recognized. In 2016, FIS has 4 branches in major parts of Cambodia’s Phnom Penh: Tumnub Teuk I & II, Toul Tom Poung, Beoung Keng Kang, and Tuol Kork district.

Licensed by the Cambodian Ministry, FIS was accredited with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. For its primary and secondary programs, the school is registered with Cambridge International Examinations.

FIS has more than 200 personnel. Foreign teachers come from The United States of America, England, Australia, and Indonesia. While the majority of the students is Cambodian, the rest comes from Japan, Canada, and France. This is very remarkable for a locally-run school that has grown over the past years.

The Footprints International School’s Toul Kork campus is very spacious. It has a swimming pool, an outdoor playground, a technology lab, and a library. The Tuol Kork branch serves from nursery to grade 5.

One important thing to note, though, is that the FIS increases its tuition fee by 10% annually. Which frustrates most parents.

Footprints International School’s official website: http://www.footprintsschool.edu.kh/

How to find the right private English school or kindergarten in Phnom Penh for your kids

  • All schools have their website. You can learn more about the school, its location, tuition fees, and more. This saves much of your busy time before making direct contact with the school for details.
  • Compare locations and travel time from school to your home.
  • Visit each of the choices for kindergarten schools during an open house.
  • Find a kindergarten with a low child-to-teacher ratio.
  • Ask the teachers what the children learn every day.
  • Talk to parents whose children either attended the school in the past or attend the school now.
  • The annual tuition fee is very important. Find out before hand how the school increases its annual fee.

A List of the best international English schools & kindergartens in Phnom Penh

Acacia

$2700

Bluebird British International School in Phnom Penh

$3600

Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CIS) $4,000

Cambridge Child Development Center or Cambridge CDC (Cambodia) $2850

CIA First International School $2,230

DK Schoolhouse $3,640

Footprints International School (FIS) Nursery: $1,660

Golden Gate American School $1,950

Gecko Garden Pre-School $2320

Home of English Not available

HOPE International School

Preschool: starting from $5,040; Kindergarten - Year 5: $10,020

Phone: +855 12 550 522

iCAN British International School $7,800

Kinderland International Preschool

Logos International School $4,100

International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP) KG-G5 14,600

Liberty International School $1800

Northbridge International School of Cambodia (NISC) Kindergarten & Grade 1: $12495

Ocarina School: French language Nursery: 2610

Sambo’s Tots Playhouse & Playschool

Tchou Tchou Daycare and Kindergarten $1,800

Paragon International School Cambodia (formerly Zaman International School) Grade I: $4,400

Southbridge International School Cambodia

Shrewsbury International School (signed agreements with Tutor Impact to establish a state-of-the-art premium international school in Phnom Penh, working closely with Meridian International.)

Zion International School Prek-Prep: $2550