HOPE International School vs Southbridge International School Cambodia

	H HOPE International School Phnom Penh, Cambodia	S Southbridge International School Cambodia Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KHR 31,780,452 - 66,779,177	Fees / year KHR 19,445,056 - 38,890,112
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 2½ - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)	Curriculum IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, Korean Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary)
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Khmer
Opened	Opened 2002	Opened 2000
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location HOPE International School is on Street TryHeng 3 in Sangkat Krang Thnong, Khan Sen Sok, northwest Phnom Penh (close to the international airport). The school site gives a full postal address and phone contacts for the Front Office; the campus is described as a purpose-built site on the edge of the city with open spaces and sports fields.	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 HOPE runs from Preschool (entry from age 3) through Kindergarten and Primary (Grades 1–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8) and High School (Grades 9–12). High school students follow IGCSE in Grades 9–10 and may study either the IB Diploma or the HOPE School Diploma in Grades 11–12.	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 HOPE is an international, co-educational day school that serves children of Christian workers and other international families. The school also operates a homeschool support program; boarding is not described on the official school pages (some third‑party listings mention boarding provision, so confirm with the Admissions office).	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 website refers to a Student Support Team and procedures for wellbeing and pastoral care, and the school notes support for English language learners. Third‑party school listings indicate HOPE offers learning‑support roles (for example a Student Wellbeing Coordinator, guidance counsellor and Academic Resource Centre support staff); contact the school for current details and eligibility.	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 HOPE is an international school based in Cambodia and was established to support missionary families; it is not presented as affiliated to a single foreign government or national system. Governance includes representatives from member mission organisations.	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 The school is explicitly Christian and describes its mission as providing Christ‑centred education; staff and board members sign a statement of Christian faith.	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 The campus opens to drop‑offs from about 7:30am and students arriving after 8:05am are recorded as late; whole‑school assemblies are scheduled around 7:50am and primary pickup procedures reference parents being allowed in hallways from about 2:25pm. The site also publishes a live school calendar (term dates, assemblies and half‑day events).	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's public pages do not include a dedicated daily bus‑transportation page, though the school calendar shows buses used for sports/event trips (for example buses leaving for fixtures). Third‑party listings are inconsistent about whether a regular daily bus service is offered, so it's best to confirm current daily transport options (routes, costs and registration) with Admissions or the Front Office.	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 fees - A non‑refundable application fee of USD 100 per student is payable at application (cash or bank transfer accepted). One‑time / first‑year charges - New‑student enrolment/registration fee: KHR 2,406,000 (example shown for Kindergarten 1 as a one‑time charge). - Capital / school improvement charge (first year): KHR 4,090,200 (shown for K1). - These one‑time items are added to the first year's tuition total. Tuition fees by year group (annual totals by grade) - Kindergartens (K1, K2): KHR 31,679,001 per year (each). - K3 and Grades 1–5: KHR 46,475,901 per year (each). - Grades 6–8: KHR 52,571,101 per year (each). - Grades 9–10: KHR 63,558,502 per year (each). - Grades 11–12: KHR 66,566,002 per year (each). (Annual totals exclude the new‑student one‑time fees shown above.) Billing schedule and payment terms - New enrolments: once offered a place, families have one month to confirm by paying the required fee and specifying a start date. - Accepted payment methods listed by the school include cash or check to the cashier and bank transfer via ABA Bank (school finance handles invoicing and payment processing). Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school (no boarding facility listed). Other costs and typical additional charges - Typical additional charges shown in the school fee schedule include capital/campus fees and materials or technology charges and separate meal/canteen costs; meals are provided through the school canteen and billed separately. Exact items and amounts are invoiced in the school's additional fees schedule. Sibling discounts - Multi‑child discounts published are: 5% for a second child, 15% for a third child, 25% for fourth and subsequent children (applied to tuition). Refund information - The application fee is explicitly non‑refundable. Refundability of other fees (enrolment, capital, tuition pro‑rata rules) is defined in the school's fee schedule and standard finance terms; the application fee is stated as non‑refundable. Fee payment options - Cash or check to the school cashier; bank transfer (ABA Bank). The school's finance office handles payment processing and schedules.	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 HOPE delivers an English-medium curriculum taught with a Biblical worldview and links assessment closely to learning objectives; external IGCSE and IB examinations are used to validate student learning. Preschool (ages 3–5) follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and reports against its seven areas of learning, with specialist Art, Music, Library and PE lessons. Primary (K–5) is based on the UK National Curriculum supplemented by integrated studies (science, health, social studies) and specialist subjects including Computing, Art, Music, Khmer or Korean language, Library and PE. Middle School (Grades 6–8) provides a continuum from Primary to IGCSE with core Mathematics, English, Science and SOSE plus Languages, Art, Music, Computer Science, PE, Christian Perspectives and a Health & Wellbeing programme. In High School, Grades 9–10 follow two-year Cambridge IGCSE courses (core English, English Literature, Maths, Coordinated Science and optional IGCSEs such as French, History, Computer Science and Additional Maths), and Grades 11–12 offer the two‑year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (three HL, three SL, TOK, CAS and Extended Essay) with a HOPE Diploma pathway for students who do not complete the full IB Diploma.	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. Initial enquiry and visit: Contact the Admissions office by phone, Telegram, or email to request information and arrange a school visit; the site lists phone numbers and the campus address for in-person visits. A visit is recommended so parents can see facilities, ask about grade-level placement, and confirm program fit before applying. Scheduling a visit also helps clarify fee expectations and the documents you will need to prepare. 2. Complete the online application and pay the application fee: Begin by filling out the school's online application form and submitting the required documents. A non‑refundable application fee of US$100 per student is due on submission and may be paid in cash or by bank transfer. Keep a copy of your payment receipt and the submitted application confirmation for your records. 3. Provide school records and (if applicable) missionary verification: Submit academic records for the past two school years (report cards preferred); if records are not in English, provide translated and authenticated copies. If you are applying as a missionary or full‑time Christian worker, include a verification letter from your organization with contact details and job information. These documents are used to assess historical placement and to advise on an appropriate grade level. 4. Placement testing (and ELL assessment if required): After the Admissions team reviews your application and documents, they will schedule placement testing—typically English and mathematics. Students who are English Language Learners will take an ELL assessment that covers writing, speaking, listening, and reading so staff can determine appropriate language support. Test results are considered together with records and recommendations when deciding grade placement. 5. Interview and admissions decision: The school may arrange an interview with a principal after reviewing application materials and test results. You will be notified of the admissions decision following the interview and review. If accepted, you have one month to confirm enrollment by paying the required fee and specifying a start date; if the student does not start within two months the offered placement may be withdrawn. 6. Enrollment formalities and orientation: Once tuition and required fees are paid, the school will complete the enrollment process and provide onboarding information for parents and students. New families are invited to attend an orientation session to learn school procedures, schedules, and expectations. Make sure you confirm payment deadlines and required documents (e.g., vaccinations, emergency contact details) before the first day. 7. Fees and follow-up details: HOPE publishes a dedicated Tuition & Other Fees document for the 2025–2026 school year and a separate Additional Fees document; these outline grade‑level tuition, payment methods, and any ancillary charges. The Admissions office can confirm current rates, available discount eligibility, and payment schedules—contact them if you need the specific fee table or a breakdown for your child's grade.	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 HOPE does not currently offer scholarships to prospective (incoming) students, according to the school's Frequently Asked Questions. However, the school states that enrolled families may be eligible for a limited scholarship program that provides temporary financial assistance in unforeseen circumstances, and that some discounts may be available for eligible applicants. For details about eligibility criteria, application procedures, and caps or durations of any assistance, contact the Admissions office directly; the school's fee documents for 2025–2026 and Admissions staff will clarify what temporary aid or discounts might be offered.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist HOPE operates a waiting list system: if there is no immediate placement available after the admissions review, your child will be placed on a waiting list in accordance with the school's Admissions Policy. The published admissions information notes that offers must be confirmed within one month and that failure to begin within two months can result in loss of the offered placement; this timing also affects how long an offer is held before being released to another family. Parents should contact Admissions for their child's current position on the list and for guidance about likely wait times or alternative start dates—waiting‑list handling follows the formal Admissions Policy referenced on the school site.	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.
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