CIA First International School vs Golden Gate American School

	C CIA First International School Phnom Penh, Cambodia	G Golden Gate American School Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KHR 13,400,000 - 30,240,000	Fees / year KHR 13,200,000 - 24,800,000
Age range	Age range 2 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 19 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum	Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum, Chinese National Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils	Pupils 5,000	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, French, Mandarin	Instruction language English, Khmer, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2004	Opened 1996
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location CIA FIRST is based in Phnom Penh with campuses in Sen Sok and Chbar Ampov and a Russey Keo campus listed on the school site; the main administrative address is No. 107, Street 2004 (Tek Thla) in Sen Sok. The campus pages give local orientation (e.g., Sen Sok campus is in front of Orkide; Russey Keo is on Street 330 near the Ministry of Land Management).	Location Head office and main campuses are in Phnom Penh (Sen Sok / Street 1003) with additional campuses in Tuol Kork and Phnom Penh Thmei; the site lists three campus locations and a head‑office address (No. 846, St 1003). The campuses are in built‑up Phnom Penh neighbourhoods and the site notes locations close to main roads, parks and sports facilities — useful if you plan daily driving or rides with city transport.
Stages	Stages CIA FIRST operates programs from Pre‑K/Preschool through Grade 12. Individual campuses serve different ranges (for example: Sen Sok K3–G8, Sen Sok High School G9–G12, Chbar Ampov PreK–G12 and a Preschool site).	Stages GGAS describes provision from early years through Grade 12: Early Years / Nursery (from age 2), Primary (PYP) for ages about 3–12, Middle Years (MYP) for about 11–16, and Diploma Programme (DP) for 16–19; the site also lists USA curriculum tracks for primary and high school.
School type	School type CIA FIRST is a co‑educational, day international school (no boarding provision is listed on the school website). It operates multiple purpose‑built day campuses across Phnom Penh.	School type The school is an independent, nonsectarian private international school offering American curriculum options and IB programmes (MYP and DP authorised). The website and external school directories list GGAS as co‑educational; some sources and the school's development plans also reference sleeping/dormitory facilities at a new campus (check with admissions if you need formal boarding).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school has a Student Support Services department that includes counselors, SEL coaches, Multilingual Learner (MLL) specialists, literacy specialists and learning‑to‑learn specialists; support is provided through a Multi‑Tiered System of Support with push‑in and pull‑out models and individualized learning plans. MLL support is offered for Grades 1–10 and interventions are guided by WIDA standards.	Additional learning support The site discusses support in its PYP/MYP pages (small class sizes, language support within bilingual delivery and a focus on individual learners) but does not publish a detailed Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy or specific specialist‑staff list. If your child has diagnosed additional needs, contact Admissions to request the school's SEN/inclusion policy and any assessment or support plans.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school is based in Cambodia and is accredited by Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS); it also holds WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation, which is a U.S. regional accreditor. It does not present a single overseas national affiliation.	Country affiliation GGAS identifies itself as an American school offering a USA‑certified high‑school diploma in partnership with a US provider (Busche Academy) while also being accredited by Cambodia's Ministry of Education; it therefore operates as an independent private school with American curriculum links rather than as an official agent of a foreign government.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school website does not list a religious affiliation and presents itself as an inclusive, secular international school community (see the school's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion statement).	Religious affiliation The school is described on its site as nonsectarian (no religious affiliation).
School day structure	School day structure Daily hours vary by campus and program. Typical start times are 7:30–8:00 AM; full‑day kindergarten and preschool run roughly 8:00 AM to 3:30–4:00 PM, international programs commonly finish around 4:00–4:15 PM, and students in the Full‑Time Khmer (FTK) option have additional Khmer‑curriculum classes running until about 5:15 PM (FTK schedules and exact times differ by campus).	School day structure The website and published calendar do not set out a daily start/end time or a standard break/lunch schedule for all year groups; the Admissions page does show office contact hours for enquiries (phones answered Mon–Fri 7:00–17:00 and Saturday 7:00–16:00). For exact daily timings by campus or year group, ask Admissions during your enquiry or campus visit.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school operates its own door‑to‑door bus fleet across Phnom Penh with zoned fees (0–3 km, 3.1–6 km, 6.1–10 km) and an onboard assistant for supervision; buses are described as having seat belts, air conditioning and in‑bus CCTV and each vehicle has a stated maximum capacity (the site describes an 8‑student maximum per bus). Parents register per campus and contact details for bus registration are listed on the school bus page.	Bus service details The Admissions information on the website states there is bus transportation and that registration and charges for the service are published for the 2024–25 year, but the site does not list specific routes, providers or pick‑up/drop‑off times. Practical next steps are to request the current bus routes, stops, fees and safety/insurance details directly from Admissions before relocating.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Enrollment fees - Entrance test fee (one-time, required for new students K3–G12): USD 40. - Registration fee (one-time, required for new students): USD 850. - Re-enrollment (returning students)—early discounted re-registration and full re-registration amounts are published for the 2025–2026 cycle (early/discounted and full deadlines and late-payment penalty apply). Tuition fees (annual amounts by year group; per-term breakdown available in the school's published fee schedule) - Early years / Kindergarten (K3–K5): USD 3,950 to USD 5,950 per year (range by program/age). - Grade 1–Grade 5: USD 6,600 per year. - Grade 6–Grade 8: USD 7,550 per year. - Grade 9–Grade 12: high‑school program information (including diploma options) and associated fees are published for the high‑school age range; full grade-by-grade annual figures are included in the official School Fees document for AY 2025–2026. - Note: the school's formal AY 2025–2026 fee schedule contains the detailed per-term and per-item breakdown (tuition per term, capital/technology/resource fees, learning-materials, etc.). Annual totals for each grade are also reproduced by independent school-fee databases. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school asks that outstanding dues be paid by the 7th of each month; monthly contactless payment methods are promoted. Installment plans and term payment options are detailed in the published fee schedule. Remarks (student ID or full student name) are required on bank transfers. - Re-enrollment deadlines: early discounted re-registration payment deadline and a final re-registration deadline are published (late payment carries a daily penalty as noted in the re-enrollment notice). Boarding - No boarding / residential program is published for CIA FIRST campuses; the school operates multiple day campuses and lists school‑bus and day‑services rather than boarding. Other costs and optional services - School bus: door‑to‑door service with multiple distance zones; route options and fees are charged separately (fee breakdown and route poster are published by campus). Contact numbers for bus enquiries are provided per campus. - Uniforms and school merchandise: uniforms are required and may be purchased at the school Accountant Counter; costs vary by uniform set/level. - Miscellaneous: the school's published schedule lists technology & resource fees, capital/learning‑materials fees, and other one‑off or annual charges in addition to tuition and registration. - Sibling discount: a published sibling discount structure is reported (example: 5% for second child; additional child discounts are published in the school fee materials). Refund information - The school's public pages and re-enrollment notice set out re-registration deadlines and late‑payment penalties; a detailed refund schedule (withdrawal/refund percentages, refundable vs non‑refundable items) is not published on the general school pages. The official AY 2025–2026 fee schedule contains the full terms and conditions, including any refund/withdrawal terms. Fee payment options - ABA Mobile App and ABA bank transfer to the school's ABA account (Account Name: CIA FIRST International School Co., Ltd; Account Number: 089900012) with the requirement to remark Student ID or full student name. In-person payments at campus accountant counters are used for merchandise/uniform purchases. Additional contactless/payment methods are promoted by the school.	Fee details Application / Registration Fee - The school's admissions pages reference a published fee schedule for new applicants; a specific one‑time application or registration fee amount is not listed on the public admissions page. Parents should expect a standard non‑refundable application/registration charge to be included in the school's full fee schedule. Tuition fees (by year group) — annual amounts (KHR) - Nursery 2 (age 2): KHR 13,200,000 per year. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): KHR 13,200,000 per year. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): KHR 14,000,000 per year. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): KHR 14,000,000 per year. - Grade 1: KHR 18,000,000 per year. - Grade 2: KHR 18,000,000 per year. - Grade 3: KHR 18,000,000 per year. - Grade 4: KHR 18,800,000 per year. - Grade 5: KHR 18,800,000 per year. - Grade 6: KHR 18,800,000 per year. - Grade 7: KHR 19,600,000 per year. - Grade 8: KHR 19,600,000 per year. - Grade 9: KHR 22,400,000 per year. - Grade 10: KHR 22,400,000 per year. - Grade 11: KHR 22,400,000 per year. - Grade 12: KHR 24,800,000 per year. Per‑term figures (inferred) - Where the school operates a three‑term/trimester billing cycle, the per‑term tuition can be estimated by dividing the annual tuition by three; these per‑term figures are inferred from the published annual amounts and should be treated as approximate. (Example: Nursery 2 ≈ KHR 4,400,000 per term = KHR 13,200,000 ÷ 3). Billing schedule & payment terms - The admissions information states that tuition and fees must be arranged by the start of the new school year and that a detailed tuition & fee schedule is published as part of admissions documentation. Expect standard options such as annual, termly or instalment billing as set out in the school's fee schedule. Boarding fees - The school lists boarding as available; specific boarding fee amounts are not published on the public fee pages and are provided on request by the admissions/finance office. Other costs (uniforms, lunches, transport, IB/assessment fees, extracurriculars) - The admissions page references separate documents for Nursery/Kindergarten, IB fee schedule and other fees (uniform, lunches, bus, exam/IB charges). Individual charges for uniform, lunch plans, bus and IB examination/admin fees are set out in those fee documents. Refunds and deposits - A specific, published refund policy and deposit schedule was not shown on the public admissions summary; the school's full fee documents (referenced on the admissions page) contain the detailed refund/withdrawal and deposit terms. Payment methods - The site provides a school payment page/form and instructs parents to contact Finance/Admissions for payment arrangements; parents should expect bank transfer and in‑school card or online payment arrangements to be available via the finance office.
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 CIA FIRST offers WASC‑accredited, standards‑based international education alongside Khmer‑accredited pathways from Pre‑K/preschool through Grade 12. The preschool/Early Years programme follows the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood and uses a play‑based, hands‑on approach to social–emotional, language, physical, creative and cognitive development. The Elementary curriculum is UbD‑aligned and, together with Middle School (Grade 6–8), delivers a student‑centred, inquiry‑based STEAM and humanities programme that draws on Common Core, AERO and NGSS standards and includes English, mathematics, science, social studies, computer science, arts, music and physical education. High School (Grade 9–12) is WASC‑accredited, issues an international high‑school diploma recognised as equivalent to the national Grade‑12 diploma, and offers Advanced Placement courses (the school lists 22 AP subjects and the AP Capstone pathway). Families can choose Full‑Time International (FTI), Full‑Time Khmer (FTK — MoEYS‑accredited Khmer national curriculum offered as afternoon electives), or FTI+FTC (adds daily Khmer language and culture classes) to combine international standards with Khmer language and national recognition.	Curriculum details Golden Gate American School delivers education from early years (nursery/kindergarten from age two) through primary, middle and high school across its Phnom Penh campuses. Primary students may follow a USA-based English curriculum (grades 1–8) or a Khmer-language Cambodian curriculum, and the school also operates a Chinese-language program. GGAS is authorized to offer the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and is a candidate for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), with PYP authorization targeted for December 2025. For upper secondary students GGAS offers multiple pathways: the IB Diploma (Grades 11–12), a USA High School Diploma pathway (including a college-preparatory USA track), and an arrangement to provide a US transcript/diploma through Busche Academy. The DP follows the standard DP structure (six subject groups plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS), while the USA tracks cover standard American high‑school subjects (English, mathematics, sciences, etc.) taught in English by native-speaking teachers. Throughout the school the website notes bilingual/tri-lingual provision, small class sizes and a range of co-curricular activities (including after-school programs and swimming), which together describe the full curricular and co‑curricular scope offered.
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. Make an inquiry and/or book a campus tour. Contact the Admissions office to ask about program options (Full‑Time International, Full‑Time Khmer, or Khmer Language & Culture) and to arrange an on‑site tour at the campus you prefer. Parents should bring or be ready to upload basic documents (ID, previous school reports) when requested and note that the school recommends scheduling visits in advance during Admissions office hours. See the school's published enrollment steps and contact links. 2. Readiness assessment and admissions test. Kindergarten applicants sit a short readiness assessment (about 20–30 minutes); students from Grade 1 to Grade 12 take a paper‑ or computer‑based entrance test (approximately 2–3 hours) followed by an interview with a school principal. Parents should confirm which campus and test format will be used for their child, prepare recent school reports if applicable, and allow time for the post‑test interview that influences placement. Test scheduling is done through the Admissions team. 3. Submit an application after assessment. If the student passes the readiness assessment or admissions test the school will issue an enrollment offer and parents complete the formal application. The school provides an application form to download and asks that supporting documents (birth certificate/passport, previous transcripts, immunisation records where requested) be submitted with the form. Verify that the child's intended program (FTI, FTK, FTC) and campus are correctly shown on the application to avoid later schedule or fee mismatches. 4. Pay fees to secure the seat and complete enrolment. The offer becomes a confirmed place once required one‑time and tuition payments are made; the site lists common items that must be paid (registration fee, tuition, technology/resource fees, uniform sets and other miscellaneous fees). The public fee page shows an Entrance Test Fee of $40 (one‑time) and a Registration Fee of $850 (one‑time); parents should download the detailed AY fee schedule and check payment deadlines and bank transfer instructions before paying. If you need payment plans, campus‑specific figures (some campuses list different tuition ranges) or promotional discounts, contact Admissions for the current schedule and any time‑limited offers.	Admissions 1. Initial enquiry and campus visit. Start by completing the online “Apply Now”/Inquiry form or calling the Admissions Office to request a campus visit; the school encourages parents to visit their preferred GGAS campus before applying. When you request a visit, you can select which of the GGAS campuses you want to see (Ou Baek Kam, Phnom Penh Thmei, or Tuol Kork) and ask for a time that fits your schedule. Parents should be aware the inquiry form asks for basic family and contact details and gives you the option to request a visit directly. 2. Submission of application / registration. Complete the registration form and submit it along with the required documents as instructed by the Admissions Office; the school's admissions page lists “Submission of Application” / “Registration” as the first formal step. The website does not itemize every required document on that page, so before you submit be sure to confirm the exact list with admissions (for example, some families are asked to provide proof of identity and prior-school records). Also note the school's office hours for phone queries if you need help completing forms. 3. Assessment and interview. Prospective students undergo an assessment whose format “varies by age” (the school notes that evaluations may take place during the campus visit or at a later date). Expect younger children to be assessed through observation or age-appropriate activities, and older students through placement tests or interviews in English and key subjects; confirm exact test content and timing with admissions so you can prepare any previous-school records or work samples they require. If English is not your child's first language, ask the school whether language-support options or adjusted assessments apply. 4. Offer, acceptance and enrolment paperwork. If the assessment and document checks are successful, the school will progress to an offer/enrolment stage and will request completed admissions paperwork and payment arrangements; the site states parents must arrange payment of tuition and fees by the start of the new school year. Before accepting an offer, check the enrolment contract for the payment schedule, any non-refundable deposits or registration fees, and the school's refund/cancellation terms. Use the Admissions Office contact details to request a written copy of all fees and the contract terms before you sign. 5. Tuition, additional charges and where to find the fee schedule. GGAS publishes tuition and related-fee schedules for each academic year (the admissions page links to the school's tuition/fee documents for 2024–25 and lists separate charges for bus transport, lunch plans, after‑school programmes and trips). Third‑party fee listings for 2024–25 show annual tuition figures that range roughly from about 13,200,000 KHR for early years up to approximately 24,800,000 KHR for Grade 12; these figures should be treated as illustrative and you should confirm current prices and currency options with the school. When budgeting, ask specifically about one‑time enrolment charges, activity fees, bus route availability and whether lunches or after‑school clubs are charged separately. 6. Payment options and deadlines. The school's admissions guidance stresses that parents must arrange payment by the start of the academic year; confirm the accepted payment methods (bank transfer, online payment or in‑office), deadlines for instalments, and any discounts for one‑off or advance payments. If you need a payment plan, request written confirmation of the instalment schedule and any administrative fees so there are no misunderstandings at enrolment. Keep receipts and the student ID/payment references the school provides for future invoicing or sibling discounts. 7. Start of term, records and ongoing communication. Before your child's start date, confirm arrival/orientation arrangements, uniform or supplies lists, and how the school manages ongoing reporting and parent contact. If you are transferring schools, ask how GGAS will handle transcript transfers and curriculum placement; the school also highlights partnerships and diploma arrangements that may affect graduation pathways. Keep the Admissions Office contact details handy for follow-up questions and to inform the school of any late paperwork or special needs.
Scholarships	Scholarships There is no single, clearly described merit scholarship programme listed on the school's main Admissions or School Fees pages. The public site does, however, show that CIA FIRST has active partnerships and promotional arrangements that can include discounts, tuition credits, or scholarship opportunities: for example, a memorandum of understanding with the American University of Phnom Penh references scholarship and tuition‑discount pathways for CIA FIRST students, and a more recent partnership announcement with Trinity College (University of Melbourne) refers to a scholarship opportunity (up to a stated amount in that announcement). The school also appears in third‑party promotion programmes and member discount schemes (for example insurer or chamber member offers) that list registration or tuition concessions for eligible customers. Because these offers vary by year, campus, partner and target group (founding‑family discounts, partner promotions, or university‑pathway scholarships), parents should not assume a permanent, school‑wide need‑ or merit‑based scholarship is available; instead, ask Admissions which current scholarships, partner discounts, or promotional offers apply to your child, what the eligibility criteria are, and whether an additional application is required. For program‑specific scholarship details and the most recent availability, contact admissions@ciaschool.edu.kh or request the Admissions team to confirm any partnership scholarships and timelines.	Scholarships GGAS's own “Why Choose GGAS?” page states the school offers scholarship opportunities and flexible payment plans, but the website does not post a detailed public policy (eligibility criteria, application deadlines or the precise amount and duration of scholarships are not listed on that page). Local education news and open‑day coverage have reported specific promotional scholarship offers at times (for example, third‑party reports mentioned enrollment incentives such as multi‑year tuition discounts or a 40% scholarship offered as an open‑day incentive), but those offers are event/time‑limited and should be verified directly with the school. If you are seeking fee assistance or a merit/need scholarship, contact the Admissions Office to request the current scholarship programme, the application form (if any), eligibility criteria and the decision timetable.
Waitlist	Waitlist The school's public admissions pages do not describe a formal, published waitlist or central pool system; instead they emphasise that seats are limited and recommend starting the application process early. Because the website directs families to inquire and schedule tests and notes that places are secured by payment, the practical implication is that availability is managed case‑by‑case by the Admissions office rather than through a clearly advertised waitlist. If you are applying and a grade/campus is full, ask Admissions whether they operate an internal waiting list, what the typical wait times are, and how they notify families (email, phone, or their student management system). For the most accurate, up‑to‑date answer about current seat availability or an internal wait list for a specific campus/grade, contact admissions@ciaschool.edu.kh or the phone numbers listed on the site.	Waitlist The GGAS website and admissions pages do not publish a formal waiting‑list or pool policy; the public admissions information focuses on visiting, applying, assessment and payment rather than an administratively detailed waitlist. Because the site does not describe how a waitlist would operate (if one exists), parents who need to know whether places are available or who want to be added to any internal waiting pool should contact the Admissions Office directly by phone or email to request current availability and the school's procedure for holding or offering places. Use the Admissions contact hours listed on the site when you call so you reach the staff who can confirm openings, priority rules (for siblings or returning families) and any deadlines.
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