What are the best international schools in Phnom Penh?

The top school is the International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP) — IB curriculum, excellent facilities, $15,000–$20,000/year. Northbridge International School (American curriculum, $10,000–$18,000) is another premium option. For mid-range budgets, iCAN British International School ($5,000–$12,000) and Footprints ($3,000–$6,000) offer good value. Most accept rolling admissions.

Are there international schools in Siem Reap?

Yes, but options are limited compared to Phnom Penh. The International School of Siem Reap and a few smaller bilingual schools offer education at $2,000–$8,000/year. Quality is reasonable but facilities and curriculum breadth are not comparable to top Phnom Penh schools. Many families in Siem Reap supplement with online schooling platforms.

Is homeschooling common among expats in Cambodia?

Yes, especially outside Phnom Penh. Families in Kampot, Siem Reap, and rural areas commonly homeschool using online platforms like K12, Connections Academy, or Wolsey Hall Oxford. Cambodia does not regulate homeschooling for foreign families, so there are no legal barriers. Tutors for specific subjects are affordable ($10–$25/hour) in Phnom Penh.

How much does school cost in Cambodia?

International school tuition ranges from $3,000–$20,000/year depending on the school and level. Budget-friendly schools like Footprints charge $3,000–$6,000, mid-range schools like iCAN charge $5,000–$12,000, and top-tier schools like ISPP charge $15,000–$20,000. Local Khmer schools are extremely cheap but teach in Khmer only.

Should I learn Khmer as an expat?

It is not strictly necessary — English is widely spoken in expat areas and tourist towns. However, learning basic Khmer significantly enriches your experience, earns respect from locals, and helps in markets, taxis, and rural areas. Khmer has no tones (unlike Thai or Vietnamese), making pronunciation more accessible. Private tutors are affordable at $10–$20/hour.

Expat Topics

D7, digital nomad, golden visa & more

💰

Cost of Living

Monthly budgets from €1,200 to €4,000+

🏥

Healthcare

Public, private & expat health insurance

🏠

Housing

Rent prices, best areas & lease tips

💼

Work & Business

Permits, remote work & freelancing rules

✈️

Moving Guide

Step-by-step relocation checklist

📚

Education

International schools & universities

🌆

Daily Life

Transport, food & expat communities

🌅

Lifestyle

Climate, culture & quality of living

📈

Investing

Property, stocks, tax & wealth building

View all resources →

Rankings Compare Blog

📚

🇰🇭 Cambodia

Education

20+

International Schools (PP)

British, American, IB, French curricula

$3,000–$20,000

Annual Tuition Range

Varies by school and level

ISPP

Top School

International School of Phnom Penh

3–5

Siem Reap Schools

Smaller international schools

English

Language

Primary language at international schools

Aug–Jun

School Year

Most follow Northern Hemisphere calendar

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Phnom Penh 🏛️Siem Reap 🌿Kampot

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Cambodia has a growing number of international schools in Phnom Penh catering to expat families, with curricula including British, American, French, and IB programs. Tuition ranges from $3,000–$20,000/year depending on the school and level. Siem Reap has a handful of smaller international schools. Higher education is limited for foreigners, though some universities offer English-taught programs. Homeschooling is popular among expat families in smaller towns like Kampot where school options are limited.

Key Takeaways

International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP): The top-tier option; IB curriculum, excellent facilities, tuition $15,000–$20,000/year
Siem Reap: International School of Siem Reap and a few smaller bilingual schools offer decent options at $2,000–$8,000/year
Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP): Cambodia's top public university; some English-taught programs
Khmer (Cambodian) uses its own script and has no tones — unlike Thai, Vietnamese, or Mandarin

International Schools in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh has the best selection of international schools in Cambodia, with options for every budget and curriculum preference.

International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP): The top-tier option; IB curriculum, excellent facilities, tuition $15,000–$20,000/year
Northbridge International School Cambodia: American curriculum; strong STEM programs; $10,000–$18,000/year
Lycée Français René Descartes: French curriculum backed by AEFE; popular with French and Francophone expats
iCAN British International School: British curriculum with IGCSE/A-Levels; $5,000–$12,000/year; good mid-range option
Footprints International School: More affordable ($3,000–$6,000/year); smaller class sizes; popular with NGO families
Most schools offer bus services, after-school activities, and accept rolling admissions throughout the year

Schools in Siem Reap & Smaller Cities

School options outside Phnom Penh are limited but growing. Homeschooling is a common alternative for families in smaller towns.

Siem Reap: International School of Siem Reap and a few smaller bilingual schools offer decent options at $2,000–$8,000/year
Kampot and other smaller towns have virtually no international schools — homeschooling is the primary option
Online schooling platforms (K12, Connections Academy, Wolsey Hall Oxford) are popular among expat families in rural areas
Some families split: one parent in Siem Reap or Kampot with children attending online school, visiting PP periodically
Local Khmer schools are extremely affordable but teach in Khmer and follow the national curriculum — not practical for most expat children
Tutoring and supplementary education in English and other subjects is affordable ($10–$25/hour) in Phnom Penh

Universities & Higher Education

Cambodia's higher education sector is limited for foreign students but offers some options for those interested.

Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP): Cambodia's top public university; some English-taught programs
American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP): Private, American-style curriculum; popular with international students
University of Cambodia (UC): Affordable private university with English-taught business and social science programs
Tuition at private universities is $1,500–$5,000/year — a fraction of comparable programs elsewhere
Many expats use Cambodia as a base while studying online with universities in their home country
Khmer language courses are available at the Royal University and private institutes for $100–$300 per term

Learning the Khmer Language

While English is sufficient in expat areas, learning Khmer enriches your experience and deepens community connections.

Khmer (Cambodian) uses its own script and has no tones — unlike Thai, Vietnamese, or Mandarin
Private tutors charge $10–$20/hour; group classes at language schools cost $100–$300 per term
Popular language schools: Khmer School of Language (PP), Cambodia Communication Institute, and various NGO programs
Apps like Ling, Drops, and Mondly offer Khmer courses for self-study; quality varies
Basic phrases to learn first: 'sua s'dei' (hello), 'aw kohn' (thank you), 'som toh' (excuse me), 'bpon-maan' (how much?)
Most Cambodians are delighted when foreigners attempt Khmer — even basic phrases earn warmth and respect

FAQs