CIA First International School vs Home of English International School
CIA First International School and Home of English International School are both in Phnom Penh, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer American and Bespoke programmes, and CIA First International School also offers Advanced Placement (AP). Published annual fees are KHR 13,400,000 - 30,240,000 at CIA First International School and KHR 18,967,700 - 19,997,548 at Home of English International School, which puts CIA First International School roughly 12% higher. CIA First International School takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Home of English International School from 6 to 18.
American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Curriculum
American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
5,000
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English, French, Mandarin
Instruction language
English, Khmer
Opened
Opened
2004
Opened
1997
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 playschool are in Boeung Keng Kang 3 (Street 360) in central Phnom Penh; the school also lists a Toul Kork branch (Street 1928) and a Prek Eng campus on National Road 1. Addresses and phone numbers for each campus are on the school's contact page.
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
Provision from playschool and kindergarten up through an International Program covering Grades 1–12; the site also lists a separate Khmer program and other children's programs.
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
Home of English presents itself as a private international day school (no boarding facilities are listed on the site). The school's material emphasises services for both expatriate and Khmer students.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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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 school website does not publish detailed information about Additional Learning Needs / special educational needs provision or specific learning‑support services. Parents with children who need extra support are advised to contact the school's admissions office directly for current details and any available assessments 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
The school is located in Cambodia and does not state an affiliation to a particular national government; its International Program uses American‑style curricula (Calvert in lower grades and Keystone for high school).
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
No religious affiliation is stated on the school website.
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
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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 school's public pages do not describe a school bus or transport service. Because Home of English operates multiple campuses across Phnom Penh (BKK3, Toul Kork and Prek Eng), families often arrange private transport or enquire directly with the school about any route options; please contact the admissions team for up‑to‑date transport arrangements, route availability and costs.
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.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term equivalent) - Grades 1–4: Annual tuition total shown: KHR 18,907,150. If divided into three equal terms (simple arithmetic division), per term = KHR 6,302,383. - Grades 5–8: Annual tuition total shown: KHR 19,933,711. Per-term (three-way split) = KHR 6,644,570. - Grades 9–12: Annual tuition total shown: KHR 19,873,561. Per-term (three-way split) = KHR 6,624,520. - Typical first-year additional costs (one-off material/administration): Material cost KHR 902,250; total first-year package example for Grade 1 shown as KHR 19,909,651 (registration + material + annual tuition).
Billing schedule and payment terms - A detailed billing schedule (term dates, standard instalment deadlines, or published multi‑term billing structure) is not available on the publicly listed tuition pages. The annual figures above are the published fee amounts; per-term values shown above are simple divisions of the annual total and used only as per‑term examples where a school bills in equal instalments.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not listed as a service for Home of English campuses (the school operates multiple day campuses). No boarding fee schedule is published.
Other costs (uniform, lunches, materials, activities) - A separate material charge is published (see Material Cost above). Specific published line items for uniform, transport, optional activities, or after‑school clubs are not available on the public fee pages. Parents should note that some schools charge additional optional fees (transport, lunch plans, uniforms, exam fees) which are not itemised in the public fee summary.
Refunds and withdrawal - A public, detailed refund or withdrawal policy specific to the published tuition pages was not located on the public fee pages reviewed. No standard refund schedule is published alongside the fee summary.
Fee payment options - Payment methods (bank transfer, credit card, cash, or cheque) are not detailed on the public fee pages. The school lists contact details for admissions and campus offices for payment enquiries.
Summary of sources and coverage: Published annual tuition, registration and material amounts are available in the school fee summary used above. Several common items (detailed billing timetable, published per‑term invoices, uniform costs, explicit payment methods, a formal refund schedule, and boarding fees) are not itemised on the publicly available fee summary pages reviewed.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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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
Home of English operates multiple streams—playschool & kindergarten, a Children's Program, an International Program (Grades 1–12) and a Khmer stream—plus a range of electives. The playschool and kindergarten curriculum is play‑based and skills‑focused, incorporating art, music, movement, sensory play, learning centers and a children's library to build early literacy and social‑emotional skills. The Children's Program (age six and up) follows an American‑style curriculum with full and half‑day options and explicit instruction in reading, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, social studies, computer studies and oral conversation; class sizes are limited for individual attention. For Grades 1–8 the school uses Calvert and American textbooks to deliver an accredited international curriculum, and Grades 9–12 follow the Keystone National High School program—students receive an American High School Diploma on graduation. The Khmer Program runs K–12 on a Ministry‑approved syllabus preparing students for the Grade 12 national exam (the site reports a high pass rate), and electives include physical education, music, art and a beginner Chinese course.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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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
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Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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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
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 selection (What to do first). Contact the admissions team to start — Home of English lists a head office and separate phone/email contacts for the Playschool/Kindergarten and branch campuses; parents should phone or email the campus that is most convenient because availability, age ranges and office hours can differ by campus. Save the admissions contact details and note which campus the enquiry is for (Head Office, Playschool & Kindergarten, Toul Kork or Prek Eng). For contact details and campus phone numbers/emails see the school's contact page.
2. Arrange a visit or information meeting (School tour and program choice). Ask for a school tour or an in-person/virtual information meeting so you can confirm which program you need (Playschool & Kindergarten, Children's program, International program Grades 1–12, or Khmer program) and see classrooms and facilities. During the visit, request sample timetables, class sizes, language support options and the program curriculum so you can compare what will suit your child — the site describes multiple program tracks including an International program based on Calvert/Keystone materials. Bring a list of specific questions (transport, uniforms, lunch, after-school options).
3. Application form and required documents (what to prepare). Ask admissions for the official application form and the exact document checklist — common documents schools require include the child's birth certificate/passport, recent school reports or transcripts, immunisation records, proof of residence, parental ID and passport copies, and passport-sized photos; however Home of English's website does not publish a detailed, machine-readable “required documents” list, so you should confirm the exact list with admissions before you prepare originals. Also ask whether documents must be notarised or translated and whether electronic copies are acceptable for the first submission.
4. Placement assessment and interview (how placement is decided). For entry to the International program the school indicates use of the Calvert/Keystone curriculum, so expect some form of placement assessment or review of prior reports to ensure correct year/level placement; for younger children there may be informal observation rather than formal testing. Ask admissions which assessments are used (English reading, writing, maths or an interview) and whether assessments can be done in advance or on the day of enrolment. If English is not your child's first language, ask about language support and whether a separate English-proficiency check will affect placement.
5. Offer, fees and payment (confirm costs and deadlines). If a place is offered you will normally receive an offer or invoice that lists one‑time and annual fees and payment deadlines; Home of English publishes tuition/fee information (see external fee summary below) and the school charges a registration/one‑time fee plus annual tuition and material costs for the first year. Before paying confirm which fees are refundable, the accepted payment methods, and whether there are installment options or deadlines that could affect enrolment. Use the specific figures in the school's fee schedule or confirm the current amounts with admissions — published fee figures for 2025/2026 are available from third‑party fee listings and should be verified with the school.
6. Enrollment confirmation, orientation and start dates. After payment and paperwork the school will confirm enrolment and give you orientation information (start date, uniform list, school calendar, bus or lunch registration). Check the school calendar and events page for the academic term start/holidays and any parent orientation dates — the school posts a calendar but does not publish a detailed online enrolment timeline. Keep a printed or digital copy of the signed contract/receipt and confirm the child's class teacher and room before the first day.
7. After enrolment: ongoing administration and re-enrolment. Note deadlines for re-enrolment, fee changes and school communications (news, events, parent meetings) and keep the school updated if your contact details change. If you expect a mid-year arrival or departure, ask admissions about mid‑term intake, prorated fees, and notice periods for withdrawal. If you need an official school letter for visa or work purposes, request it from the admissions office well in advance.
(Important note) I did not find a dedicated, detailed “Admissions” page or a published step‑by‑step admissions checklist on the school website as of December 30, 2025, so the school's admissions office is the best source for the precise current steps, required documents, assessment formats and payment policies.
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
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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.
