Canadian International School of Phnom Penh vs HOPE International School

	C Canadian International School of Phnom Penh Phnom Penh, Cambodia	H HOPE International School Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KHR 31,780,452 - 101,576,760	Fees / year KHR 31,780,452 - 66,779,177
Age range	Age range 1½ - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Canadian Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,000	Pupils 400
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2012	Opened 2002
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location CIS's main campus is on Koh Pich (Diamond Island) at Elite Town Street in central Phnom Penh; two additional early-years campuses are Bassac Garden (Tonle Bassac) and Olympia City. The Koh Pich campus is linked to the city by the Rainbow, Swan and Naga bridges and is close to neighbourhoods such as Tonle Bassac and BKK1, with Aeon Mall and riverside areas within reasonable commuting distance.	Location HOPE International School is on Street TryHeng 3 in Sangkat Krang Thnong, Khan Sen Sok, northwest Phnom Penh (close to the international airport). The school site gives a full postal address and phone contacts for the Front Office; the campus is described as a purpose-built site on the edge of the city with open spaces and sports fields.
Stages	Stages CIS runs programs from nursery through Grade 12: Early Years (nursery to junior kindergarten), Elementary (Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6), Middle School (Grades 7–9) and High School (Grades 10–12). The school offers Alberta curriculum pathways and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the senior years.	Stages HOPE runs from Preschool (entry from age 3) through Kindergarten and Primary (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12). High school students follow IGCSE in Grades 9–10 and may study either the IB Diploma or the HOPE School Diploma in Grades 11–12.
School type	School type CIS is a privately operated, co-educational international day school that serves nursery through Grade 12 across its campuses. The website also lists a boarding programme (full and weekly) for students in Grades 4 and above on its services page, though the general admissions page states students must live with a parent or guardian — you should confirm current boarding availability with admissions.	School type HOPE is an international, co-educational day school that serves children of Christian workers and other international families. The school also operates a homeschool support program; boarding is not described on the official school pages (some third‑party listings mention boarding provision, so confirm with the Admissions office).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school publishes an Inclusive Education overview: universal classroom strategies plus targeted supports such as Learning Support teachers, an EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme, speech‑language services and social‑emotional counselling in Elementary, Middle and High School. The site also states it cannot provide some specialist on‑site therapies or psychological assessments and that EAL places and some specialist services may incur extra fees.	Additional learning support The website refers to a Student Support Team and procedures for wellbeing and pastoral care, and the school notes support for English language learners. Third‑party school listings indicate HOPE offers learning‑support roles (for example a Student Wellbeing Coordinator, guidance counsellor and Academic Resource Centre support staff); contact the school for current details and eligibility.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation CIS teaches the Alberta (Canada) provincial curriculum and is accredited by Alberta Education; students may graduate with an Alberta High School Diploma (with options to combine IB courses or the IB Diploma).	Country affiliation HOPE is an international school based in Cambodia and was established to support missionary families; it is not presented as affiliated to a single foreign government or national system. Governance includes representatives from member mission organisations.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school website does not indicate any religious affiliation; CIS is presented as a secular international school.	Religious affiliation The school is explicitly Christian and describes its mission as providing Christ‑centred education; staff and board members sign a statement of Christian faith.
School day structure	School day structure Timings vary by campus and age group. For example, the Bassac Garden preschool lists drop‑off 8:00–8:30 a.m., a first session 8:30–11:30 a.m., and full‑day pick‑up at 3:30 p.m.; other year groups follow different schedules, so confirm exact start/finish and break times for your child's year level with the school.	School day structure The campus opens to drop‑offs from about 7:30am and students arriving after 8:05am are recorded as late; whole‑school assemblies are scheduled around 7:50am and primary pickup procedures reference parents being allowed in hallways from about 2:25pm. The site also publishes a live school calendar (term dates, assemblies and half‑day events).
Bus service details	Bus service details The school offers a school bus and local buggy service for students (buses and open‑air electric buggies) that operates throughout central Phnom Penh for children aged 4 and above; children under 4 may be registered if accompanied by a sibling aged 10 or older. Vehicle types listed include buggies (4 seats) and passenger vans (up to 10 seats). Routes, fees and registration are managed by the school, so contact Admissions or Transport for current route maps, pick‑up points and costs.	Bus service details The school's public pages do not include a dedicated daily bus‑transportation page, though the school calendar shows buses used for sports/event trips (for example buses leaving for fixtures). Third‑party listings are inconsistent about whether a regular daily bus service is offered, so it's best to confirm current daily transport options (routes, costs and registration) with Admissions or the Front Office.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & one‑time enrolment fees - Application fee (one‑time): KHR 1,002,500. - Enrollment / admission fee (one‑time): KHR 2,005,000. - Annual capital/maintenance fee (charged annually): KHR 4,812,000 (where applicable, see first‑year totals). Tuition — annual and per‑term (published 2025–2026 amounts, per grade) Note: CIS offers annual, semesterly and quarterly payment plans. The figures below show the published annual total (yearly). Semester = annual ÷ 2; Quarterly = annual ÷ 4 (equal instalment splits shown for clarity). All amounts are in Cambodian Riels (KHR). - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual KHR 31,679,001 — Semester KHR 15,839,501 — Quarterly KHR 7,919,750. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual KHR 38,897,001 — Semester KHR 19,448,501 — Quarterly KHR 9,724,250. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual KHR 48,120,001 — Semester KHR 24,060,001 — Quarterly KHR 12,030,000. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 1: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 2: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 3: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 4: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 5: Annual KHR 72,180,002 — Semester KHR 36,090,001 — Quarterly KHR 18,045,001. - Grade 6: Annual KHR 88,621,002 — Semester KHR 44,310,501 — Quarterly KHR 22,155,251. - Grade 7: Annual KHR 92,230,002 — Semester KHR 46,115,001 — Quarterly KHR 23,057,501. - Grade 8: Annual KHR 92,230,002 — Semester KHR 46,115,001 — Quarterly KHR 23,057,501. - Grade 9: Annual KHR 92,230,002 — Semester KHR 46,115,001 — Quarterly KHR 23,057,501. - Grade 10: Annual KHR 92,230,002 — Semester KHR 46,115,001 — Quarterly KHR 23,057,501. - Grade 11: Annual KHR 101,252,503 — Semester KHR 50,626,252 — Quarterly KHR 25,313,126. - Grade 12: Annual KHR 101,252,503 — Semester KHR 50,626,252 — Quarterly KHR 25,313,126. First‑year total example (includes one‑time fees) - Example shown in the published fee guide for a first year of enrolment: Nursery 2 first‑year total KHR 34,686,501 (this total includes the application fee, enrolment fee, capital fee and the tuition component noted above). Billing schedule and payment terms - CIS offers annual, semesterly and quarterly instalment plans; the school publishes Plan A (early annual payment) and related early‑enrolment discounts (3% discount for tuition paid under Plan A by the published early‑payment date). Family referral and sibling discounts are also offered. Exact invoice schedules and any instalment due dates are set in the school's Fee Guide and on invoices. Boarding - The School Services section of CIS lists a Boarding Program (full and weekly boarding for Grades 4 and above). Separately, the school's admissions/general‑requirements pages state residence expectations for enrolled students; confirm boarding availability and fees with admissions when enrolling. Other costs - Uniforms are available from the school store (school‑issued uniform is required; new students receive a complimentary CIS backpack). Lunch is provided via the school Lunch Program; bus/buggy transport, certain extracurriculars and some academy/program fees may incur additional charges. Refunds - The school's published Fee Guide contains the full refund and withdrawal terms (application and enrollment charges are typically handled as one‑time fees). Parents should review the Fee Guide or contact Admissions for the Fee Guide's refund and withdrawal clauses. Fee payment options - CIS publishes instalment plans and operates a parent portal (iSAMS) for family accounts; payment is normally made by bank transfer or by card/third‑party payment channels as specified on each invoice. Invoices and the Fee Guide set the accepted payment methods and any processing fees.	Fee details Application fees - A non‑refundable application fee of USD 100 per student is payable at application (cash or bank transfer accepted). One‑time / first‑year charges - New‑student enrolment/registration fee: KHR 2,406,000 (example shown for Kindergarten 1 as a one‑time charge). - Capital / school improvement charge (first year): KHR 4,090,200 (shown for K1). - These one‑time items are added to the first year's tuition total. Tuition fees by year group (annual totals by grade) - Kindergartens (K1, K2): KHR 31,679,001 per year (each). - K3 and Grades 1–5: KHR 46,475,901 per year (each). - Grades 6–8: KHR 52,571,101 per year (each). - Grades 9–10: KHR 63,558,502 per year (each). - Grades 11–12: KHR 66,566,002 per year (each). (Annual totals exclude the new‑student one‑time fees shown above.) Billing schedule and payment terms - New enrolments: once offered a place, families have one month to confirm by paying the required fee and specifying a start date. - Accepted payment methods listed by the school include cash or check to the cashier and bank transfer via ABA Bank (school finance handles invoicing and payment processing). Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school (no boarding facility listed). Other costs and typical additional charges - Typical additional charges shown in the school fee schedule include capital/campus fees and materials or technology charges and separate meal/canteen costs; meals are provided through the school canteen and billed separately. Exact items and amounts are invoiced in the school's additional fees schedule. Sibling discounts - Multi‑child discounts published are: 5% for a second child, 15% for a third child, 25% for fourth and subsequent children (applied to tuition). Refund information - The application fee is explicitly non‑refundable. Refundability of other fees (enrolment, capital, tuition pro‑rata rules) is defined in the school's fee schedule and standard finance terms; the application fee is stated as non‑refundable. Fee payment options - Cash or check to the school cashier; bank transfer (ABA Bank). The school's finance office handles payment processing and schedules.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details CISP's Early Years Program (Nursery–Junior Kindergarten) follows Flight: Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework and is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, using play‑based, child‑centred learning. Elementary (Senior Kindergarten–Grade 6) follows the Alberta curriculum delivered through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP); students receive weekly instruction in Khmer, Mandarin, or French and may join French or Mandarin bilingual streams. Middle School (Grades 7–9) follows Alberta Grade 7–9 curricula with specialist teachers in core subjects and complementary courses such as art, Career & Technology Foundations, drama, music, Khmer, Mandarin and French. High School offers two pathways: the Alberta High School Program (Grades 10–12), accredited by Alberta's Ministry of Education and leading to an Alberta High School Diploma (minimum 100 credits, with varied course sequences), and the two‑year IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12, which includes six subject groups plus Theory of Knowledge, the extended essay and CAS. Across all stages students can access specialist services and programs such as English as an Additional Language, inclusive education, fine arts, sports, design and academic counselling.	Curriculum details HOPE delivers an English-medium curriculum taught with a Biblical worldview and links assessment closely to learning objectives; external IGCSE and IB examinations are used to validate student learning. Preschool (ages 3–5) follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and reports against its seven areas of learning, with specialist Art, Music, Library and PE lessons. Primary (K–5) is based on the UK National Curriculum supplemented by integrated studies (science, health, social studies) and specialist subjects including Computing, Art, Music, Khmer or Korean language, Library and PE. Middle School (Grades 6–8) provides a continuum from Primary to IGCSE with core Mathematics, English, Science and SOSE plus Languages, Art, Music, Computer Science, PE, Christian Perspectives and a Health & Wellbeing programme. In High School, Grades 9–10 follow two-year Cambridge IGCSE courses (core English, English Literature, Maths, Coordinated Science and optional IGCSEs such as French, History, Computer Science and Additional Maths), and Grades 11–12 offer the two‑year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (three HL, three SL, TOK, CAS and Extended Essay) with a HOPE Diploma pathway for students who do not complete the full IB Diploma.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
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 —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Complete the online application: Start by creating and submitting an application through CIS's online platform (gibbon.cisp.edu.kh). Parents should save progress if they cannot upload everything at once; the school says you can return later and the Admissions Team will contact you after submission to confirm receipt and next steps. Be prepared to provide accurate birth and passport details because these determine grade placement and residency checks. 2. Pay the application fee: The application fee must be paid (in person or by bank transfer) before CIS will consider the application or schedule an assessment. The site states the fee is non-refundable — plan for that cost when you apply and keep payment confirmation to avoid delays. If the fee is not paid, the school will not proceed to the assessment or interview stage. 3. Submit required supporting documents: CIS lists documents required for all applicants (recent school reports, completed online recommendation forms, standardized test results if available, passport ID pages for student and parents, birth certificate or family book, vaccination records, signed CIS Parent Agreement, and a signed student health questionnaire). Additional, grade-specific recommendations or extra report cards are required for different year levels (for example, Grades 10–12 require three years of report cards plus multiple teacher recommendations). Parents should collect original or certified copies and be ready to upload them to the online platform; recommendations are submitted online by the referees. 4. Assessment, interview and English requirement: After documents are reviewed, CIS may request an interview and/or academic assessments (these can be online or in person). Students from Senior Kindergarten through Grade 12 may need an English-language proficiency assessment; Grade 10–12 applicants must show grade-level English proficiency (via prior records from an accredited English-instruction school or an assessment). If your child will require EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, note that CIS provides EAL for Grades 1–9 but enrolment in the EAL program carries additional fees. 5. Offer, deposit and fee arrangements to confirm enrolment: If CIS offers a place, parents must accept the offer and pay the required deposits to confirm enrolment — the school specifically states deposits and the ability to meet school fee requirements are conditions of enrolment. CIS publishes a 2025–2026 Fee Guide and offers multiple payment plans (annual, semesterly, quarterly); the school also runs specific discounts and referral/voucher programs (for example, an early-enrolment discount, sibling discounts, and referral vouchers). Before accepting an offer, review the fee guide and confirm which payment plan and any applicable discounts you will use. 6. Placement, first day and orientation: Grade placement is determined by year of birth for Nursery–Grade 6 and by a combination of birth year and prior education for Grades 7–12; parents are expected to accept the school's placement decision. CIS accepts applications on a rolling basis and the Admissions Team can schedule personalized campus visits; they also provide information to prepare families for the student's first day and run a New Family Orientation.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and visit: Contact the Admissions office by phone, Telegram, or email to request information and arrange a school visit; the site lists phone numbers and the campus address for in-person visits. A visit is recommended so parents can see facilities, ask about grade-level placement, and confirm program fit before applying. Scheduling a visit also helps clarify fee expectations and the documents you will need to prepare. 2. Complete the online application and pay the application fee: Begin by filling out the school's online application form and submitting the required documents. A non‑refundable application fee of US$100 per student is due on submission and may be paid in cash or by bank transfer. Keep a copy of your payment receipt and the submitted application confirmation for your records. 3. Provide school records and (if applicable) missionary verification: Submit academic records for the past two school years (report cards preferred); if records are not in English, provide translated and authenticated copies. If you are applying as a missionary or full‑time Christian worker, include a verification letter from your organization with contact details and job information. These documents are used to assess historical placement and to advise on an appropriate grade level. 4. Placement testing (and ELL assessment if required): After the Admissions team reviews your application and documents, they will schedule placement testing—typically English and mathematics. Students who are English Language Learners will take an ELL assessment that covers writing, speaking, listening, and reading so staff can determine appropriate language support. Test results are considered together with records and recommendations when deciding grade placement. 5. Interview and admissions decision: The school may arrange an interview with a principal after reviewing application materials and test results. You will be notified of the admissions decision following the interview and review. If accepted, you have one month to confirm enrollment by paying the required fee and specifying a start date; if the student does not start within two months the offered placement may be withdrawn. 6. Enrollment formalities and orientation: Once tuition and required fees are paid, the school will complete the enrollment process and provide onboarding information for parents and students. New families are invited to attend an orientation session to learn school procedures, schedules, and expectations. Make sure you confirm payment deadlines and required documents (e.g., vaccinations, emergency contact details) before the first day. 7. Fees and follow-up details: HOPE publishes a dedicated Tuition & Other Fees document for the 2025–2026 school year and a separate Additional Fees document; these outline grade‑level tuition, payment methods, and any ancillary charges. The Admissions office can confirm current rates, available discount eligibility, and payment schedules—contact them if you need the specific fee table or a breakdown for your child's grade.
Scholarships	Scholarships The CIS Phnom Penh admissions and fees pages do not describe a scholarship program for incoming students; the school's published fee information focuses on payment plans, an early-enrolment discount, sibling discounts, referral vouchers, and a forthcoming loyalty discount. CIS's community page also notes partner discounts (for example, a Canadia Bank junior account offers a tuition discount). Because other schools in the wider ‘CIS' network (for example, CIS branches in Vietnam) do run named scholarship or talent programs, be careful not to assume those apply to the Phnom Penh campus. If you want a definitive answer about scholarships, hardship assistance, or merit-based awards for the Phnom Penh campus, request that information directly from admissions@cisp.edu.kh — they can confirm whether any scholarships or internal assistance programs exist and explain eligibility, application windows, and documentation required.	Scholarships HOPE does not currently offer scholarships to prospective (incoming) students, according to the school's Frequently Asked Questions. However, the school states that enrolled families may be eligible for a limited scholarship program that provides temporary financial assistance in unforeseen circumstances, and that some discounts may be available for eligible applicants. For details about eligibility criteria, application procedures, and caps or durations of any assistance, contact the Admissions office directly; the school's fee documents for 2025–2026 and Admissions staff will clarify what temporary aid or discounts might be offered.
Waitlist	Waitlist CIS does not publish a detailed public waitlist policy on its website; the General Requirements page instructs prospective families to contact the Admissions Team for information about waiting lists. That wording implies a waiting-list or vacancy-management process exists but that specific places and prioritization rules are handled case-by-case by Admissions. If you need to know whether your child will be placed on a waitlist, the likely next vacancy date, or how long wait times are, contact admissions@cisp.edu.kh — they are the official source for current waitlist status and any documentary steps required to remain on a list.	Waitlist HOPE operates a waiting list system: if there is no immediate placement available after the admissions review, your child will be placed on a waiting list in accordance with the school's Admissions Policy. The published admissions information notes that offers must be confirmed within one month and that failure to begin within two months can result in loss of the offered placement; this timing also affects how long an offer is held before being released to another family. Parents should contact Admissions for their child's current position on the list and for guidance about likely wait times or alternative start dates—waiting‑list handling follows the formal Admissions Policy referenced on the school site.
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