Footprints International School - TK Campus vs Southbridge International School Cambodia
Footprints International School - TK Campus and Southbridge International School Cambodia are both in Phnom Penh, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer IEYC, Cambridge (Primary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Footprints International School - TK Campus also offers Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels, and Southbridge International School Cambodia also offers Korean. Published annual fees are KHR 19,764,223 - 27,958,752 at Footprints International School - TK Campus and KHR 19,445,056 - 38,890,112 at Southbridge International School Cambodia, which puts Southbridge International School Cambodia roughly 22% higher. Footprints International School - TK Campus takes pupils from 1.5 to 18, and Southbridge International School Cambodia from 2.5 to 18.
IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, Korean Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary)
Pupils
Pupils
1,000
Pupils
—
Typical class size
Typical class size
—
Typical class size
—
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Khmer
Opened
Opened
2007
Opened
2000
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Footprints International School is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, operating two urban campuses: Toul Kork (Building A, No.16–18, Street 570) and Toul Tom Poung (Building A, No.84, Street 135 / intersection with Street 470). Both campuses serve Nursery–Grade 12 and list campus contact numbers and opening hours on the school site/handbook; they are located in central city districts commonly reached by car, taxi or tuk‑tuk—contact the school for specific directions or pickup points.
Location
Southbridge International School Cambodia is in the Chbar Ampov area of Phnom Penh, sited within the Borey Peng Huoth Polaris residential development (Building No. 367, Polaris Street, Sangkat Nirouth, Khan Chbar Ampov). The school is in the south-east of the city and is accessed from major local roads serving that housing estate; the website also lists additional campuses (Chroy Chongva and other sites) as ‘coming soon'.
Stages
Stages
The school runs from Nursery through Grade 12. Early Childhood covers ages ~1.5–5 (Nursery to Kindergarten); Primary is Grades 1–5; Secondary covers lower and upper secondary through Grade 12. Footprints offers Cambridge (CAIE) pathways alongside a Cambodian National Programme.
Stages
SISC serves Early Years through Grade 12 (students aged from about 2 years up to 18), with Nursery/K1–K3 in Early Years and Primary and Secondary years up to Grade 12. The school offers both a Khmer General Education pathway and international (IEYC/Cambridge) pathways through IGCSE and AS/A Levels.
School type
School type
Footprints is a co‑educational international day school (no boarding is listed). It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and authorised to deliver IEYC and Cambridge programmes while also being licensed by the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
School type
SISC is a co-educational day school offering bilingual/integrated Khmer and international programmes (IEYC and Cambridge). The school's public materials describe campus facilities and day programmes but do not list boarding provision on the website, so families should confirm directly with admissions if they need boarding or residential options.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The school operates a Centre for Wellbeing and Career Excellence (CWCE) that coordinates counselling, early identification, a three‑tier assessment system, targeted support and referrals to external specialists via a CARE Centre. The handbook sets out processes for assessment, individual planning and referrals; parents should contact Admissions/Family Engagement for details about specific learning‑support arrangements.
Additional learning support
The school operates a Learning Support Department and a Student Affairs office to support learners with different needs; the admissions information specifically names a Learning Support Department. External school listings note that SISC provides EAL/ESL support and works with external specialists for assessments when required. For individual SEN provision and formal assessments (IEPs, specialist referrals), contact the school's admissions or learning support team to discuss specific needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Footprints is an international school based in Cambodia and is licensed by the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport; it is not presented as affiliated to any single foreign country.
Country affiliation
SISC is a Cambodian school offering the Khmer General Education (MoEYS-accredited) programme alongside international Cambridge pathways; it does not state an affiliation to a particular foreign country.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is stated in the school's published materials or parent handbook.
Religious affiliation
The school's published materials present SISC as a multi‑cultural, non‑religious educational provider; no religious affiliation is listed on the website.
School day structure
School day structure
Daily timings vary by programme: Early Childhood (Nursery–Kindy) runs roughly 8:00am–4:00pm with morning, lunch/napping and afternoon sessions; Primary International classes typically run 7:45am–1:50pm (with snack and lunch breaks); Secondary International classes start at 8:00am and run until about 2:35pm (one‑hour lunch). The campus gate opens earlier (a gate babysitter from 7:00am is noted) and the handbook gives precise session times by year group.
School day structure
Published timetables and school listings show a typical start in the early morning (around 07:20–07:30 for morning assembly/lessons) with lessons and morning breaks scheduled mid-morning and the day finishing in the mid‑afternoon (external listings give a finish time around 16:15); grade-specific timetables (breaks, lunch) are published for each year group. Families should request the current grade-specific timetable from admissions because start/end times and break patterns can vary by year and by academic year.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school publishes a paid bus service covering many parts of Phnom Penh. Each bus is staffed with a bus monitor; parents must register through the school office, the bus will not wait more than five minutes at stops, and the school may be unable to accommodate families living a long distance from campus. For routes, fees and registration, contact the Family Engagement/Admissions office.
Bus service details
The school's contact and admissions pages do not advertise a school bus service, and third‑party school listings indicate that a school bus is not provided; the site instead highlights that it is located within a large residential development (Borey Peng Huoth). If a daily transport arrangement is important, contact the admissions office to confirm current transport options or to ask whether private providers or parent-run shuttle arrangements are available.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & Enrolment fees - Application fee (new applicants): USD 30 (Kindy–Grade 12). - Enrolment fee (payable once on acceptance): USD 600 for all grades; USD 300 for siblings.
Annual capital & administration and learning‑materials (books) - Capital & administration fee: USD 300 per student (paid annually; 50% charge applies if enrolment is in Term 3). - Print & digital learning materials (annual, non‑refundable): Kindy USD 50; Grades 1–5 USD 175; Grades 6–8 USD 200; Grades 9–10 USD 400; Grades 11–12 USD 450.
Tuition fees (AY 2025–2026) — full year and per term - Nursery – Pre‑K2 (Part‑time): Full yearly USD 2,706; Full yearly (10% if paid in one payment) USD 2,435; Termly (3 payments): USD 902 per term. - Nursery – Kindy (Full‑time): Full yearly USD 4,563; Discounted yearly USD 4,106; Termly USD 1,521 per term. - Grades 1–5: Full yearly USD 5,106; Discounted yearly USD 4,595; Termly USD 1,702 per term. - Grades 6–8: Full yearly USD 5,691; Discounted yearly USD 5,121; Termly USD 1,897 per term. - Grades 9–12: Full yearly USD 6,250; Discounted yearly USD 5,624; Termly USD 2,083 per term.
Billing schedule & payment terms - Tuition may be paid annually (one payment) or termly (three payments). Term‑payment dates for AY 2025–2026 are shown in the fee table; term payments occur before each term (late July 2025, mid‑November 2025, late February 2026); annual payments are expected at the start of the academic year (early August 2025). - Late payment penalty: USD 5 per day; non‑payment may result in suspension or withholding of reports. - Partial, midterm and National‑programme adjustments are specified in the fee schedule.
Optional and other fees - Healthy student lunches: Nursery–Grade 4 — Full yearly USD 567 (5% off if paid yearly) or termly (USD 180 / USD 174 / USD 213 by term); Grade 5–12 — Full yearly USD 756 (5% off) or termly (USD 240 / USD 232 / USD 284). - School bus (optional): 2‑way full year USD 900 (5% off = USD 855) or termly USD 300; 1‑way full year USD 720 (5% off = USD 684) or termly USD 240. Sibling transport discounts apply. - IP afternoon clubs & activities: Full yearly USD 520 or termly USD 180. - Cambridge examination fees (per subject / component) vary by level (e.g. IGCSE USD 145 per subject; AS/A2/A‑level fees listed in schedule).
Discounts, refunds & withdrawal - Sibling tuition discounts: 2nd child 15% off; 3rd child onward 20% off. A 15% discount applies to Nursery/Pre‑K1 new students for 2025–2026 (not combinable with other discounts). - Withdrawal: written notice (Withdrawal Form) at least 30 days before the student's last day. - Refunds: refunds on paid tuition and lunch fees apply only for full terms not attended; a processing charge equal to 10% of the refunded/transferred amount applies (same 10% applied to Cambridge exam refunds/transfers when parent/student changes/withdraws).
Uniforms & other incidental costs - The school's policy requires a school uniform, but the published fee schedule does not list a specific uniform charge. Uniform policy and related expectations are stated separately in school information.
Payment methods & bank details - Accepted payment modes: cash (amounts under USD 100), cheque or bank transfer for larger amounts; bank transfer fees are the payer's responsibility; the school accepts payments only from registered banks operating in Cambodia. - Bank deposit details for fee payments (as provided by the school): Bank: ABA; Beneficiary: EDUINVEST INTERNATIONAL CO LTD; Account No.: 000145244; Beneficiary address as published by the school.
Fee details
Application / one‑time fees - Registration / application fee: a one‑time registration charge is applied at first enrolment (example shown for Nursery 2: KHR 2,807,000). Capital / development fee is also charged in the first year (example Nursery 2: KHR 2,005,000).
Tuition fees by year group (published annual totals; per‑term figures shown as annual ÷ 3 and marked as calculated) - Nursery 2 (age 2): Annual tuition total KHR 19,448,501 · Per term (calculated) KHR 6,482,834. - Kindergarten 1–3 (ages 3–5): Annual tuition total KHR 23,097,601 · Per term (calculated) KHR 7,699,200. - Grades 1–5 (ages 6–10): Annual tuition total KHR 28,390,801 · Per term (calculated) KHR 9,463,600. - Grade 6: Annual tuition total KHR 36,250,401 · Per term (calculated) KHR 12,083,467. - Grades 7–8: Annual tuition total KHR 37,252,901 · Per term (calculated) KHR 12,417,634. - Grades 9–12 (Years 9–12): Annual tuition total KHR 38,897,001 · Per term (calculated) KHR 12,965,667. - Example first‑year total (Nursery 2) including one‑time registration and capital fees: KHR 22,255,501.
Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's published admission notes state that school fees must be paid in full before a child may start. The publicly available fee schedule lists annual amounts; per‑term payment details are not itemised in the accessible schedule. (Per‑term figures above are calculated by dividing the published annual total by three; that division is an inference, shown as “calculated”.)
Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed in the school's published fee information. SISC is presented as a day school in the published materials.
Other costs and concessions - Capital/development fee is charged (example amounts shown above) and typically covers school development/materials. A sibling discount policy (10% for third child and above, applied to the younger sibling's tuition) is indicated in the published schedule. Specific line items for uniform, meals or transport are not itemised in the publicly available fee table.
Refunds and payment methods - The published fee documents available through public listings do not include an explicit refund policy or a detailed list of accepted payment methods. The school's admissions notes require full payment before start; other refund/payment terms are not published in the accessible schedule.
Note: I used the school's published fee schedule summarized by a third‑party school‑fees directory to extract numeric values and the school's admissions page for payment terms; where the school's schedule published annual totals only, per‑term numbers above were calculated (annual ÷ 3) and are explicitly flagged as calculated.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
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
Footprints International School delivers an inquiry-based programme from nursery to Grade 12: the Early Childhood Programme uses the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), the school follows Cambridge Assessment (CAIE) frameworks through Primary and Secondary, and the school is accredited by WASC. Early Childhood (ages 1.5–5) combines play-based IEYC units with Cambridge outcomes in Kindergarten to prepare children for Stage 1 Cambridge learning. Primary (Grades 1–5) follows the Cambridge Primary framework with core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science, Global Perspectives, PSHE) plus specialist Art, Music and PE, and families can choose Dual (Cambridge+National), International (Cambridge only) or an International pathway with additional Khmer language and culture. Secondary offers core Lower Secondary subjects and an Upper Secondary curriculum where students select sciences or humanities; students sit IGCSE examinations in Grade 10 and may take AS/A Levels in Grades 11–12. In parallel, Footprints runs a Ministry of Education (MoEYS)-licensed Khmer (National) Programme across Primary and Secondary with national study hours and national exams (including Grade 6, Grade 9 and Grade 12) that lead to the national diploma.
Curriculum details
Southbridge International School Cambodia runs an International pathway using the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) in Nursery–K3 and the Cambridge Pathway from Years 1–13, and also offers an Integrated pathway that combines Cambridge with the Cambodian national (Khmer) curriculum. The Early Years programme uses the IEYC for young learners (around 2.5–5 years), while integrated classes also follow the National Early Years Curriculum (NEYC) for Khmer subjects. Primary (Years 1–6) follows Cambridge Primary with subjects such as English, mathematics, science, global perspectives, ICT, music, art, PE and swimming, with English as the main language of instruction and Khmer and Chinese offered as additional languages. Secondary is split into Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 7–9) and Upper Secondary (Years 10–13), where students progress to Cambridge IGCSE (typically for ages 14–16) and then Cambridge International AS & A Levels (typically for ages 16–19). Qualifications available therefore include the Cambridge Primary/Lower Secondary frameworks, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge AS & A Level certificates, and — for students on the integrated national pathway — Khmer General Education credentials including a High School Diploma equivalent to the Bac II accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
—
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 enquiry: Contact the Family Engagement / admissions team to start the process and to arrange a campus visit or initial conversation. The website lists a central enquiry phone number (017 222 084) and an online enquiry form; parents should be ready to state the child's name, proposed start date, grade and preferred campus (Toul Kork or Toul Tom Poung) when they call. Families who want a specific start date or a place in a popular year level should enquire early because places are limited per grade.
2. Family meeting and assessment: For Nursery–PreK2 the school arranges a family screening interview (Parent Liaison Officer) to review the child's social and academic development and discuss family expectations. For Kindergarten through Grade 12 the school requires age-appropriate Mathematics and Literacy placement tests; these tests must be scheduled in advance through the office. Expect the school to use the interview and/or test results to advise an appropriate placement and to identify any support needs.
3. Submit required documentation: The school requires specific documents at application stage: birth certificate or passport, previous school reports/transcripts, vaccination record, an official transfer document for the Khmer (national) curriculum for transfers in Grade 2 and above, and two 4 x 6 cm coloured photographs. Parents should prepare original documents and clear scanned copies; some items (for example transfer paperwork for MoEYS national programme students) can take time to obtain so factor that into your timeline. Check in advance whether documents must be certified or translated for your child's application.
4. School accounts and communication set-up: After paperwork is accepted the school provides Footprints email addresses for parents and students and uses that email for regular communication and Google Classroom access. Parents are asked to confirm they can access the school email (an IT representative will assist on site) because teachers and administrative notices will be sent there. If you prefer another primary contact method (phone/WhatsApp), confirm with admissions how that will be used alongside the official school email.
5. Bring-your-own-device and IT safety: Footprints requires students to bring devices for Google Classroom; the Enrollment Process specifies this policy applies to Grade 6–12 (parents are asked to bring a device to register during enrolment). The school's IT team installs a firewall and blocks social media, adult and non-educational sites on student devices — parents should be prepared to discuss acceptable-device types (laptop, Chromebook, tablet) and any device security questions at registration. If your child will join a lower grade, check with admissions whether different device expectations apply for that year.
6. Acceptance, payment and place confirmation: Once the school accepts a student, payment of the enrolment fee, capital and administration fees is required before attendance can start. The website notes the enrolment fee holds a child's place for only five working days (parents must complete requested forms and payments in that period) and that payment of the capital & administration fee will guarantee a place; the site also gives bank transfer details (ABA, beneficiary EDUINVEST INTERNATIONAL CO LTD, Account No. 000145244. and contact emails for confirming transfers. Parents should confirm the total first-year cost (tuition, capital/admin, books, placement-test fee and any applicable exam fees such as IGCSE/A‑Level), and ask for an itemised invoice before transferring funds.
Admissions
1. Initial enquiry and campus visit. When you arrange the visit, ask which pathway (bilingual, International Pathway, or Integrated Curriculum) you are interested in and whether staff available at that time can discuss language support or learning‑support needs. Parents should bring the child's identification (birth certificate/passport) and any recent school reports to the visit if available.
2. Submit an application and required documents. Complete the school's application form (available from admissions) and submit required documents: typically proof of identity (birth certificate or passport), previous school reports or transcripts, immunisation records, and any assessment reports (e.g., SEN statements) that are relevant to support needs. Confirm with admissions whether there is an application or registration fee and whether those fees are refundable or credited toward enrollment — the school's materials note document review as part of progressing the application. Keep copies of everything you submit and ask for a receipt or confirmation email.
3. Placement assessment and interview. SISC requires students to complete a placement test and may hold an interview; the content and format vary by age (early years observations for younger children; English and mathematics assessments for older pupils). Parents should clarify whether the assessment is in‑person or can be done remotely, what material the child should prepare (if any), and whether an interpreter is permitted for non‑English speakers. If your child needs learning support or English language support, disclose this at application so the admissions team can plan the appropriate assessment and supports.
4. Offer letter and confirmation. After assessment, the school will inform parents of the outcome and — for successful applications — issue an Offer Letter that details the place, programme, and fees due. Read the Offer Letter carefully for deadlines (signature, deposit, registration) and any conditions (e.g., required vaccinations, additional assessments, or language support). If an offer is time‑limited, return the signed acceptance and required payment by the deadline to secure the place.
5. Submit final documents and settle fees. The admissions page states that once admitted parents must submit all required documents for review and that all school fees must be paid in full before a child can start school; confirm the school's accepted payment methods and whether there are instalment plans or early‑payment discounts. Ask for a written invoice that itemises registration/one‑time fees, tuition, capital/annual fees and any optional charges (transport, lunches, weekend classes). If your employer will pay fees, provide company invoicing details early so the school can liaise with them directly.
6. Class allocation, materials and start date. After payment and paperwork are completed the admissions/academic team will confirm class assignment and the student's official start date and will arrange for study materials and handover information to the homeroom teacher. Parents should check induction arrangements (orientation sessions, uniform purchase, timetable for the first week) and confirm drop‑off/pick‑up procedures and school hours. If your child requires transport, ask admissions about the availability, routes, and fees for school bus services.
7. Ongoing communication and follow up. Keep in regular contact with the admissions office and the assigned homeroom teacher during the first term to monitor adjustment and any additional support needs; the school's learning support and student affairs teams can be involved if required. Ask how progress and behaviour will be reported (parent meetings, written reports, online portals) and note any probationary or review periods referenced in the Offer Letter. If your plans change, notify admissions immediately — policy on withdrawals, refunds or deferrals will be specified in the school's fee schedule or Offer Letter.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The Footprints website and the official AY 2025–2026 fees document do not advertise a scholarship programme for fee remission or needs‑based awards. The published fee schedule does, however, list several fee concessions and commercial discounts that parents should be aware of: a 10% discount is noted for certain full‑year payments, sibling discounts (generally 15% for the second child and 20% for the third child) are explicitly listed, and there is a specified 15% promotional discount for certain early years (Nursery and Pre‑K1) for the 2025–2026 year. In addition, the school lists standard additional charges parents must budget for (placement‑test fee, book fees, Cambridge exam fees for IGCSE/AS/A levels, replacement document fees, etc.). If you need financial support or a specific scholarship, contact the Family Engagement / admissions team directly to ask whether any fee‑assistance, local bursaries or case‑by‑case arrangements are available — these are not described in the public documents.
Scholarships
—
Waitlist
Waitlist
Footprints does not publish a formal, public waitlist policy on its website, but the admissions pages make clear there are limited places per grade and that an enrolment fee only holds a place for five working days. Because places are limited the school commonly manages capacity at grade level; third‑party school listings note that a waiting list is used for grades that are full. Practically, parents should assume a place is not secured until the required payments are completed (capital/administration fee in particular) and should ask admissions whether a waitlist exists for their child's target grade and how the school prioritises entries. For these points see the school's Enrollment/Fees pages and the published fees document.
Waitlist
No explicit waiting‑list policy is published on the school's admissions pages. The SISC admissions and contact pages describe the application, assessment and offer process but do not state a formal waitlist procedure or how places are prioritised when classes are full. Because many international schools manage limited places differently by grade and by campus, I recommend contacting SISC's admissions office directly (info@sisc.edu.kh or the numbers listed on the website) to ask whether they operate a waitlist, whether they accept completed applications to hold a place, and whether there is a fee to hold a space — the school's admissions team can confirm current practice for the specific grade and preferred start date.