CIA First International School vs Westbridge International School of Phnom Penh
CIA First International School and Westbridge International School of Phnom Penh are both in Phnom Penh, about 8 km apart. Both schools offer Bespoke programmes. CIA First International School also offers American and Advanced Placement (AP), and Westbridge International School of Phnom Penh also offers Cambridge (Secondary). Published annual fees are KHR 13,400,000 - 30,240,000 at CIA First International School and KHR 15,518,052 - 39,702,030 at Westbridge International School of Phnom Penh, which puts Westbridge International School of Phnom Penh roughly 27% higher. CIA First International School takes pupils from 2 to 18, and Westbridge International School of Phnom Penh from 3 to 18.
American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Curriculum
Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary)
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
Opened
Opened
2004
Opened
2023
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
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
03, Street 289, Sangkat Boeng Kak I, Khan Toul Kork, Phnom Penh
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
Nursery to Grade 12
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
Private International School
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
All students must wear school uniforms during the academic day and when representing the school at events. Sports uniforms must be worn for well-being and sports activities. Uniforms can be purchased at the Accountant Counter located at all school campuses. [turn1view0]
Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
The CIA FIRST Canteen serves Khmer, Chinese, Thai, European, and American cuisines; healthy meal plans are available; energy drinks and pre-packaged snacks are prohibited on school premises. HACCP certification applies to all CIA FIRST canteen campuses. Meal plans are available. [turn2view0]
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
Founded in 2004 by His Excellency Oknha Dr. Trang Ly and Mr. Him Samath Sprung; CIA FIRST is governed by a Board of Directors with Michael Wilde as Chief Executive Officer. The school offers an English-speaking international curriculum with additional programs in French and Mandarin Chinese. CIA FIRST operates three campuses in Phnom Penh, with a fourth campus under construction, serving 5,500+ students with 1,100+ personnel and described as the largest dual International and Khmer curricula group of schools in Cambodia. [turn8view0; turn0view0]
Governance and ownership
Founded in 2023 by a group of educators and business owners.
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
Cambridge Curriculum, internationally recognised, from Nursery to Grade 12.
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
CIA FIRST publishes a Student Leadership programme that includes a Student Learners' Voice and an elected Student Council through which class representatives and student leaders raise concerns and run initiatives. The school also lists a Student Support Services team and a named Director of Student Support Services, indicating an institutional point of contact for student wellbeing. The school's curriculum materials note classroom work that addresses themes such as mental health and life skills within Humanities and English courses, which can support social and emotional learning in class. The website does not, however, publish a separately named, detailed SEL programme or a full description of specific SEL staff roles beyond the Student Support Services function.
Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
CIA FIRST's public site lists a Student Support Services team and a Director of Student Support Services, which suggests an organisational structure for supporting diverse learner needs. The About Us page also says the Student Support Services team receives ongoing training, implying the school invests in developing that provision. The website does not provide a list of specific categories of Special Educational Needs it can support, nor does it state that the school is a specialist SEN institution. If you need details on particular diagnoses, therapy access, or specialist placements, the school does not publicly disclose that information on its site.
Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
CIA FIRST operates a Full‑Time International (English‑language) programme and describes itself as an English‑speaking international school, which establishes English as the primary instructional language. However, the school website does not publish a dedicated EAL/ESL programme description, named EAL staff roles, or explicit EAL entry/exit procedures. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL.
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
CIA FIRST's curriculum pages show that topics such as mental health and wellbeing are addressed within classroom units in Humanities and English at middle and high school levels, indicating curricular coverage of related issues. The school also lists a Student Support Services team and a Director of Student Support Services as a resource for students. The About Us material highlights annual child safety training and ongoing training for the Student Support Services team, which supports a safeguarding and welfare framework. The website does not, however, publish detailed descriptions of dedicated counselling staff, specific mental‑health programmes, or how external mental‑health referrals are handled.
Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
CIA FIRST's About Us page states that student safety is a top priority and that the school is a member of the Phnom Penh International Schools Safeguarding Association; it also says the school works with Child Safe and the Child Protection Unit and provides annual child safety training for all staff. The school's recruitment information notes strict child protection policies and background checks for applicants, which the school presents as part of its safeguarding procedures. The website also says the Student Support Services team and School Heads receive ongoing training in child safety, indicating organisational responsibility for child protection. If you need the full safeguarding policy text or named safeguarding officers, those documents or names are not posted in detail on the public site and would need to be requested from the school directly.
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
CIA FIRST operates four modern, purpose-built campuses across Sen Sok and Chbar Ampov, with a Russey Keo campus opening soon. The campuses serve Pre-K through Grade 12, including CIA FIRST Sen Sok (K3–G8), CIA FIRST Sen Sok High School (G9–G12), CIA FIRST Chbar Ampov (PreK–G12), CIA FIRST Russey Keo (K3–G8), and CIA FIRST Preschool. The spaces are designed to inspire learning and social change through purpose-built classrooms and facilities. A playground opened at the Chbar Ampov campus on October 22, 2025 to support outdoor learning and holistic development. The school maintains a library across campuses and operates a modern bus service with door-to-door pickup and safety features, including a fleet with features like seatbelts and air-conditioning.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Football is offered as an extracurricular activity. An outdoor play space supports physical activities, with a new playground opened at the Chbar Ampov campus in October 2025 to enhance active learning and recreation.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and MoEYS. The Full Time International (FTI) program includes AP courses for college credit. Khmer tracks include Full Time Khmer (FTK) and Full Time Khmer Language and Culture (FTC). A library catalog (CIA FIRST Library Catalog) is available across campuses. Preschool is offered at a dedicated campus. The curriculum supports both international standards and Khmer language programs.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Extracurricular Activities include Dancing Class, Ballet, Football, Arts and Crafts, Yoga & Dance, Drawing Class, and Chinese Language. There is a Kindergarten ECA Hub, with activities organized for different grade levels. Sign-ups are handled through front desk teams at each campus (e.g., Sen Sok and Chbar Ampov).
Extra curricular facilities
Mandarin Chinese programme, Scratch Programming, Web Design courses, Summer Camp.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
CIA FIRST International School was founded in 2004, opening with 17 students and expanding steadily since then. The school now operates multiple purpose-built campuses in Phnom Penh and serves a community of several thousand learners. It was established by His Excellency Oknha Dr. Trang Ly and Mr. Him Samath Sprung and is governed by a Board of Directors with an appointed CEO. The school's international programmes hold external recognition, including WASC accreditation and recognition from Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
History
Founded in 2023 by a group of educators and business owners.
Community
Community
CIA FIRST describes a diverse student body drawn from more than 20 countries and a range of language backgrounds. The school's community channels (news, galleries and press releases) document regular campus events such as annual high‑school graduation ceremonies, sports and academic competitions, and charity/CSR activities — for example the school's graduation ceremony on June 27, 2025. The website also publishes updates on student achievements and community initiatives throughout the year.
Community
Internationally diverse community with teaching staff from the USA, Scotland, Poland, China, Philippines, and Canada.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
CIA FIRST maintains Parent Executive Committees (parent associations) at campus and year‑group levels to strengthen communication between families and school leadership. The Chbar Ampov Parent Executive Committee page lists named parent executives for Kindergarten, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School and High School, indicating committees are organised by school level. The committees are described as collaborating with the school to facilitate communication, support school initiatives, and ensure parents are engaged in their children's education. In practice, the school and parent groups work together on parent-facing activities and information support — for example the school ran Classe365 login support booths for parents during the 2025 transition to a new information system. Parents can view contact points and brief profiles ("Hear from...") for their Parent Executives on the Parent Executive Committee pages.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
CIA FIRST offers three program pathways: Full Time International (FTI), Full Time Khmer (FTK), and Full Time Khmer Language and Culture (FTC). The FTI program is a WASC-accredited, standards-based curriculum blending Common Core, AERO, and NGSS, with AP courses for college credit. FTK allows students to complete the international curriculum while earning Khmer education, delivered as afternoon electives from 2:00 to 5:15 pm after completing required FTI subjects. FTC adds Khmer Language and Culture courses (one hour daily) to the FTI program, enabling Khmer language development while continuing AP coursework and extracurriculars.
Academic & intellectual
Scratch Programming, Web Design courses.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Extracurricular Activities include Dancing Class, Ballet, Arts and Crafts, and Drawing Class. The program also includes Football and Yoga & Dance as movement-centered activities. ECAs extend learning beyond the classroom and support creative expression and collaboration.
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
Chinese Language is offered as an extracurricular option. The FTC program includes Khmer Language and Culture courses (one hour daily) as part of the international curriculum, along with AP coursework. The FTK and FTC programs support bilingual learning by combining international standards with Khmer language and cultural education.
Cultural & language
Mandarin Chinese programme.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
ECAs provide opportunities to explore interests beyond academics, including arts, language, sports, and dance. Activities emphasize teamwork and problem-solving, and aim to balance growth with academics. Participation in ECAs supports social development and peer connections.
Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
The school features charity and CSR activities as part of its community program. Student leadership initiatives include charity events such as a Food Stall for Charity on Family Day, Habitat for Humanity donations, and other fundraising efforts. These programs involve students in community service and social responsibility.
Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Student leadership is integrated into CIA FIRST, with Student Learners' Voice and a Student Council representing Kindergarten through High School. The council leads initiatives to enrich the student experience and organize projects. Elections and leadership opportunities are ongoing to enable students to lead and contribute to the school community.
Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Extracurricular activities include Football and Yoga, which support physical fitness and well-being. Dance and movement opportunities provide mindfulness and expression. The ECA program emphasizes balanced growth and well-being alongside academics.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Summer Camp programme.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
English is taught as a core subject across grade levels, including English Language Arts in Middle and High School. Khmer language and culture are taught through FTK and FTC programs; FTK blends the international curriculum with Khmer accreditation for a bilingual learning experience, and FTC adds daily Khmer Language and Culture classes. World Language and Culture Electives are offered in Elementary and Middle School. The curriculum is constructivist and UbD-based, with WASC and MoEYS accreditation and AP courses available in the international track.
Language provision
English-medium instruction with Mandarin Chinese available as an additional language.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
CIA FIRST offers bilingual options through Full Time Khmer (FTK) and Full Time Khmer Language and Culture (FTC). FTK blends the international curriculum with Khmer-accredited education, providing a bilingual learning experience. FTC adds daily Khmer Language and Culture classes to the international program, enabling Khmer language development while pursuing AP courses. These options run alongside the Full Time International (FTI) track.
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
The following accreditations, memberships and authorised curricula are explicitly listed on CIA FIRST's website (each line: accreditation — one-line explanation and significance):
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — WASC is a U.S. regional accrediting body; CIA FIRST's website states the school holds WASC accreditation for PK–12, which means its international diploma is recognised as equivalent to an American high-school diploma and that the school has undergone WASC's continuous-evaluation process.
- Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), Cambodia — the site states that the school's Khmer programme and the international high‑school diploma are officially recognised by MoEYS (the Grade 12 diploma is treated as equivalent to the national Grade 12 Khmer diploma), indicating formal national recognition.
- East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) — the school lists EARCOS among its accreditations/memberships; EARCOS is a regional organisation for international schools in East Asia that supports professional collaboration and school development.
- College Board — the website states CIA FIRST runs College Board–approved Advanced Placement (AP) courses and is approved to run the AP Capstone Diploma; this indicates the school is authorised to offer AP curriculum and assessments that are recognised by many universities.
- Habits of Mind (HoM) — the site identifies Habits of Mind as a framework used by the school; Habits of Mind is a set of dispositions for problem solving and lifelong learning that the school uses to structure teaching and learning.
- Understanding by Design (UbD) — the curriculum pages state CIA FIRST uses the UbD framework; UbD is a curriculum-planning approach focused on teaching for understanding and on backward design of learning outcomes.
(Notes: the items above are taken from the school's public pages describing curriculum, accreditations and "Why Choose" information. I limited entries to items explicitly presented on the school website.)
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
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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.
