Asian Hope International School vs Southbridge International School Cambodia
Asian Hope International School and Southbridge International School Cambodia are both in Phnom Penh, about 14 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Asian Hope International School also offers British, Christian and EYFS, and Southbridge International School Cambodia also offers IEYC, Korean and Cambridge (Primary). Published annual fees are KHR 18,440,708 - 24,511,176 at Asian Hope International School and KHR 19,445,056 - 38,890,112 at Southbridge International School Cambodia, which puts Southbridge International School Cambodia roughly 36% higher. Asian Hope International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Southbridge International School Cambodia from 2.5 to 18.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Christian Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Curriculum
IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, Korean Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary)
Pupils
Pupils
600
Pupils
—
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
—
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Khmer
Instruction language
English, Khmer
Opened
Opened
2010
Opened
2000
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Asian Hope International School is located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in the Sen Sok district. The campus address is 68 Street Lum, Chres Village, Kork Khleang, Sen Sok, Phnom Penh 120806. The school sits within a residential area and is accessible by local roads; a Google Map location is provided for directions.
Location
Southbridge International School Cambodia is in the Chbar Ampov area of Phnom Penh, sited within the Borey Peng Huoth Polaris residential development (Building No. 367, Polaris Street, Sangkat Nirouth, Khan Chbar Ampov). The school is in the south-east of the city and is accessed from major local roads serving that housing estate; the website also lists additional campuses (Chroy Chongva and other sites) as ‘coming soon'.
Stages
Stages
AHIS comprises three levels: Early Years, Primary, and Secondary. Early Years covers ages 3 to Year 1, Primary runs from Year 2 to Year 6, and Secondary covers Years 7 to 12.
Stages
SISC serves Early Years through Grade 12 (students aged from about 2 years up to 18), with Nursery/K1–K3 in Early Years and Primary and Secondary years up to Grade 12. The school offers both a Khmer General Education pathway and international (IEYC/Cambridge) pathways through IGCSE and AS/A Levels.
School type
School type
The school is a co-educational day school.
School type
SISC is a co-educational day school offering bilingual/integrated Khmer and international programmes (IEYC and Cambridge). The school's public materials describe campus facilities and day programmes but do not list boarding provision on the website, so families should confirm directly with admissions if they need boarding or residential options.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Not publicly published.
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for students developing English proficiency. It also has Special Educational Needs (SEN) staff who can support students in mainstream classrooms or in small-group or individual sessions, along with Khmer language support. A school nurse is on site.
Additional learning support
The school operates a Learning Support Department and a Student Affairs office to support learners with different needs; the admissions information specifically names a Learning Support Department. External school listings note that SISC provides EAL/ESL support and works with external specialists for assessments when required. For individual SEN provision and formal assessments (IEPs, specialist referrals), contact the school's admissions or learning support team to discuss specific needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation. The curriculum combines the Cambodian National Curriculum with the English National Curriculum, and Cambridge IGCSE is offered from Year 10, with Cambodian national exams in Years 9 and 12.
Country affiliation
SISC is a Cambodian school offering the Khmer General Education (MoEYS-accredited) programme alongside international Cambridge pathways; it does not state an affiliation to a particular foreign country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The school has a Christian orientation and integrates Biblical principles into its education. This mission is reflected in staffing and leadership expectations.
Religious affiliation
The school's published materials present SISC as a multi‑cultural, non‑religious educational provider; no religious affiliation is listed on the website.
School day structure
School day structure
School days commonly begin around 7:30 for Primary and Secondary, and around 8:00 for Early Years, with finish times near 3:00. Lunch is provided as an option for families.
School day structure
Published timetables and school listings show a typical start in the early morning (around 07:20–07:30 for morning assembly/lessons) with lessons and morning breaks scheduled mid-morning and the day finishing in the mid‑afternoon (external listings give a finish time around 16:15); grade-specific timetables (breaks, lunch) are published for each year group. Families should request the current grade-specific timetable from admissions because start/end times and break patterns can vary by year and by academic year.
Bus service details
Bus service details
There is no school bus service.
Bus service details
The school's contact and admissions pages do not advertise a school bus service, and third‑party school listings indicate that a school bus is not provided; the site instead highlights that it is located within a large residential development (Borey Peng Huoth). If a daily transport arrangement is important, contact the admissions office to confirm current transport options or to ask whether private providers or parent-run shuttle arrangements are available.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and one‑time enrollment fees
- Application fee: KHR 100,481. - New‑student registration fee (one‑time): KHR 1,607,700 (listed as USD 400 in the school's published tuition schedule). Both the registration and application fees are non‑refundable.
Annual tuition fees by year group (published amounts for the current academic year)
- Kindergarten 1–3 (K1–K3): Annual tuition KHR 18,424,241. - Calculated per month (10‑month billing): KHR 1,842,424 (annual ÷ 10). - Calculated per semester (assumes two 5‑month semesters): KHR 9,212,121 (annual ÷ 2). (Per‑month and per‑semester figures are calculated from the published annual fee and the school's 10‑month billing schedule.)
Note: an example total for a new Kindergarten child (first year) that includes one‑time fees is shown as KHR 20,132,422 (this total breaks down into application, registration, annual tuition, school improvement and technology fees).
Published equivalent fee figures in USD (school's published schedule for a recent year)
- KG 1–3: Annual USD 3,795; per semester USD 1,903; per month (10 months) USD 385; annual lunch service USD 380. - Grades 1–5: Annual USD 4,067; per semester USD 2,038; per month USD 413; annual lunch service (Grades 4–5) USD 450. - Grade 6: Annual USD 4,177; per semester USD 2,093; per month USD 424; annual lunch USD 450. - Grades 7–9: Annual USD 4,919; per semester USD 2,465; per month USD 498; annual lunch USD 480. - Grades 10–11: Annual USD 5,161; per semester USD 2,586; per month USD 521; annual lunch USD 480. - Grade 12: Annual USD 5,051; per semester USD 2,531; per month USD 510; annual lunch USD 480.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoices are issued in 10 monthly instalments (August to May) unless the family pays the full year up front. Payments are due on the 1st of each month, with the first payment due on the first business day of August. A service charge of 10% applies to payments not received by the 10th of the month. Non‑payment for two consecutive months may result in withdrawal of the student. The school states that full annual fees remain payable regardless of early leave or early termination.
Boarding fees
- No boarding provision or boarding fees are published for Asian Hope International School; the school's published information and fee schedules describe day‑school tuition and associated fees only. No boarding charges are listed.
Other recurring or optional costs
- School Improvement fee (annual): USD 300 for the first child; USD 150 for the second child; USD 50 for the third and subsequent children. This fee is non‑refundable. - Technology fee (annual): USD 100 per student; non‑refundable and due at reenrollment. KHR equivalent figures for the technology and school improvement fees are published in the 2025/2026 breakdown. - Lunch service: annual lunch charges are published by grade (examples in USD are listed above). - Testing fee: USD 25 (applicable from Year 1 upwards); non‑refundable. - Uniforms, school supplies and extracurricular activity fees are not itemised in the school's published tuition table; families are typically responsible for uniform purchases and optional activity charges (no fixed uniform price is published in the school's fee schedule).
Refund information and non‑refundable items
- Certain fees are explicitly non‑refundable: application fee, testing fee, registration fee, school improvement fee and technology fee are listed as non‑refundable. The published payment terms state that full annual school fees remain payable regardless of early leave or early termination, and absences do not result in tuition discounts. These terms indicate a limited refund stance for tuition once the year is invoiced.
Fee payment options and practical notes
- The published fee schedule issues invoices for 10 monthly instalments or an annual payment option and specifies due dates and late‑payment penalties. The published fee schedule does not list specific accepted payment channels (for example, bank‑transfer details or card processor names) in the fee table; payment arrangements are handled through the school's finance/admissions office.
Summary
- Annual tuition by grade is published in KHR for the 2025/2026 academic year (listed above), with a first‑year total example that includes one‑time registration/application/technology/improvement fees. Equivalent USD fee schedules and the school's detailed payment terms (10‑month invoices, due dates, late fee and non‑refundable items) are published in the school's tuition schedule. Parents should note the school's requirement that fees are invoiced over 10 months (August–May), the 10% late payment service charge after the 10th of each month, and that some items are non‑refundable.
Fee details
Application / one‑time fees - Registration / application fee: a one‑time registration charge is applied at first enrolment (example shown for Nursery 2: KHR 2,807,000). Capital / development fee is also charged in the first year (example Nursery 2: KHR 2,005,000).
Tuition fees by year group (published annual totals; per‑term figures shown as annual ÷ 3 and marked as calculated) - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual tuition total KHR 19,448,501 · Per term (calculated) KHR 6,482,834. - Kindergarten 1–3 (ages 3–5): Annual tuition total KHR 23,097,601 · Per term (calculated) KHR 7,699,200. - Grades 1–5 (ages 6–10): Annual tuition total KHR 28,390,801 · Per term (calculated) KHR 9,463,600. - Grade 6: Annual tuition total KHR 36,250,401 · Per term (calculated) KHR 12,083,467. - Grades 7–8: Annual tuition total KHR 37,252,901 · Per term (calculated) KHR 12,417,634. - Grades 9–12 (Years 9–12): Annual tuition total KHR 38,897,001 · Per term (calculated) KHR 12,965,667. - Example first‑year total (Nursery 2) including one‑time registration and capital fees: KHR 22,255,501.
Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's published admission notes state that school fees must be paid in full before a child may start. The publicly available fee schedule lists annual amounts; per‑term payment details are not itemised in the accessible schedule. (Per‑term figures above are calculated by dividing the published annual total by three; that division is an inference, shown as “calculated”.)
Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed in the school's published fee information. SISC is presented as a day school in the published materials.
Other costs and concessions - Capital/development fee is charged (example amounts shown above) and typically covers school development/materials. A sibling discount policy (10% for third child and above, applied to the younger sibling's tuition) is indicated in the published schedule. Specific line items for uniform, meals or transport are not itemised in the publicly available fee table.
Refunds and payment methods - The published fee documents available through public listings do not include an explicit refund policy or a detailed list of accepted payment methods. The school's admissions notes require full payment before start; other refund/payment terms are not published in the accessible schedule.
Note: I used the school's published fee schedule summarized by a third‑party school‑fees directory to extract numeric values and the school's admissions page for payment terms; where the school's schedule published annual totals only, per‑term numbers above were calculated (annual ÷ 3) and are explicitly flagged as calculated.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Asian Hope International School offers a bilingual curriculum taught in English and Khmer, based on an integration of the English National Curriculum with the Cambodian National Curriculum delivered through an inquiry-based approach. Early Years (3 years to Year 1) follow the UK Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, with a play-based, child-centered approach and a strong emphasis on early literacy and numeracy; Jolly Phonics supports reading and writing, alongside Khmer language enrichment. Primary (Years 2–6) uses a combined English and Cambodian curriculum delivered in both languages, with topic-based learning in history, geography and sciences, and a weekly joint English–Khmer lesson; Year 6 sits the Cambodian national exam. Secondary (Years 7–12) extends the integrated curriculum with Project Based Learning, continuing bilingual literacy and expanding into Art, Music, Technology and Design, while teaching from a Christian worldview. Qualifications: Cambodian National Examinations are taken in Years 6, 9 and 12; from Year 10 onward students can undertake Cambridge IGCSE examinations, which are internationally recognized and provide pathways to higher education.
Curriculum details
Southbridge International School Cambodia runs an International pathway using the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) in Nursery–K3 and the Cambridge Pathway from Years 1–13, and also offers an Integrated pathway that combines Cambridge with the Cambodian national (Khmer) curriculum. The Early Years programme uses the IEYC for young learners (around 2.5–5 years), while integrated classes also follow the National Early Years Curriculum (NEYC) for Khmer subjects. Primary (Years 1–6) follows Cambridge Primary with subjects such as English, mathematics, science, global perspectives, ICT, music, art, PE and swimming, with English as the main language of instruction and Khmer and Chinese offered as additional languages. Secondary is split into Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) and Upper Secondary (Years 10–13), where students progress to Cambridge IGCSE (typically for ages 14–16) and then Cambridge International AS & A Levels (typically for ages 16–19). Qualifications available therefore include the Cambridge Primary/Lower Secondary frameworks, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS & A Level certificates, and — for students on the integrated national pathway — Khmer General Education credentials including a High School Diploma equivalent to the Bac II accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Approximately 756 students with around 50 international teachers; no formal published student-to-teacher ratio.
Student teacher ratio
—
Exam results
Exam results
Cambodian National Examinations are taken in Years 6, 9 and 12; from Year 10 onward Cambridge IGCSE examinations are offered, which are internationally recognized.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates may pursue higher education in Cambodian universities or international universities, with Cambridge IGCSE offering widely recognized credentials for entry to many institutions.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
—
Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
—
Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
—
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
AHIS welcomes children from all backgrounds and beliefs. The school has a Christian tradition and teaches from a Biblical perspective, but there is no requirement that families be Christian. To apply, provide for each child a completed application form, recent passport photos (EY1–EY3: 2; Years 4–10: 4), a latest school report, a copy of the birth certificate, a vaccination record, a non-refundable application fee of $25, and a non-refundable testing fee of $25. Deliver the complete application in person to the Phnom Penh campus at 68 Street Lum, Chres Village, Kork Kleang, Sen Sok, Phnom Penh 120806. For AHIS–Siem Reap, deliver to Sala Kheav Road, Tropang Treng Village, Sala Kamruek, Siem Reap, 171204. Children may be required to sit an assessment to help place them in the right groups; an appointment for the assessment will be scheduled after the application is received. For Year 1 and above, the entrance assessment covers English and Maths, English reading, and Khmer reading and Khmer writing. For EY1–EY3, an assessment with the Head of Early Years determines readiness and appointments are made after the application is received. In Siem Reap, an assessment may also be used for placement in the correct class.
Admissions
1. Initial enquiry and campus visit. When you arrange the visit, ask which pathway (bilingual, International Pathway, or Integrated Curriculum) you are interested in and whether staff available at that time can discuss language support or learning‑support needs. Parents should bring the child's identification (birth certificate/passport) and any recent school reports to the visit if available.
2. Submit an application and required documents. Complete the school's application form (available from admissions) and submit required documents: typically proof of identity (birth certificate or passport), previous school reports or transcripts, immunisation records, and any assessment reports (e.g., SEN statements) that are relevant to support needs. Confirm with admissions whether there is an application or registration fee and whether those fees are refundable or credited toward enrollment — the school's materials note document review as part of progressing the application. Keep copies of everything you submit and ask for a receipt or confirmation email.
3. Placement assessment and interview. SISC requires students to complete a placement test and may hold an interview; the content and format vary by age (early years observations for younger children; English and mathematics assessments for older pupils). Parents should clarify whether the assessment is in‑person or can be done remotely, what material the child should prepare (if any), and whether an interpreter is permitted for non‑English speakers. If your child needs learning support or English language support, disclose this at application so the admissions team can plan the appropriate assessment and supports.
4. Offer letter and confirmation. After assessment, the school will inform parents of the outcome and — for successful applications — issue an Offer Letter that details the place, programme, and fees due. Read the Offer Letter carefully for deadlines (signature, deposit, registration) and any conditions (e.g., required vaccinations, additional assessments, or language support). If an offer is time‑limited, return the signed acceptance and required payment by the deadline to secure the place.
5. Submit final documents and settle fees. The admissions page states that once admitted parents must submit all required documents for review and that all school fees must be paid in full before a child can start school; confirm the school's accepted payment methods and whether there are instalment plans or early‑payment discounts. Ask for a written invoice that itemises registration/one‑time fees, tuition, capital/annual fees and any optional charges (transport, lunches, weekend classes). If your employer will pay fees, provide company invoicing details early so the school can liaise with them directly.
6. Class allocation, materials and start date. After payment and paperwork are completed the admissions/academic team will confirm class assignment and the student's official start date and will arrange for study materials and handover information to the homeroom teacher. Parents should check induction arrangements (orientation sessions, uniform purchase, timetable for the first week) and confirm drop‑off/pick‑up procedures and school hours. If your child requires transport, ask admissions about the availability, routes, and fees for school bus services.
7. Ongoing communication and follow up. Keep in regular contact with the admissions office and the assigned homeroom teacher during the first term to monitor adjustment and any additional support needs; the school's learning support and student affairs teams can be involved if required. Ask how progress and behaviour will be reported (parent meetings, written reports, online portals) and note any probationary or review periods referenced in the Offer Letter. If your plans change, notify admissions immediately — policy on withdrawals, refunds or deferrals will be specified in the school's fee schedule or Offer Letter.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
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Waitlist
No explicit waiting‑list policy is published on the school's admissions pages. The SISC admissions and contact pages describe the application, assessment and offer process but do not state a formal waitlist procedure or how places are prioritised when classes are full. Because many international schools manage limited places differently by grade and by campus, I recommend contacting SISC's admissions office directly (info@sisc.edu.kh or the numbers listed on the website) to ask whether they operate a waitlist, whether they accept completed applications to hold a place, and whether there is a fee to hold a space — the school's admissions team can confirm current practice for the specific grade and preferred start date.