Invictus International School Phnom Penh vs Paragon International School
Invictus International School Phnom Penh and Paragon International School are both in Phnom Penh, about 12 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Invictus International School Phnom Penh also offers EYFS and Cambridge A Levels, and Paragon International School also offers Cambridge International AS Levels, British and Bespoke. Published annual fees are KHR 15,040,000 - 35,248,000 at Invictus International School Phnom Penh and KHR 22,077,001 - 42,929,731 at Paragon International School, which puts Paragon International School roughly 29% higher. Invictus International School Phnom Penh takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Paragon International School from 2 to 17. Typical class sizes are 25 at Invictus International School Phnom Penh and 12 at Paragon International School.
EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, British Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
1,100
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
12
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Khmer
Opened
Opened
2020
Opened
1997
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Invictus Phnom Penh is on Preah Norodom Boulevard (Street 41) in Tonle Bassac, Chamkarmon — a central city location a few minutes' drive from Independence Monument and close to riverside neighbourhoods. Public roads and taxis serve the area; the school lists its full address and local contact details on its contact page.
Location
Paragon International School is located in the Svay Pak / Russey Keo area of Phnom Penh (Building No. 402, Plov Lom, Phum Lor Kombor, Sangkat Svay Pak, Khan Russey Keo). The campus is accessible from major parts of the city and the school lists a single consolidated campus address on its website.
Stages
Stages
The school runs from Early Years through to Sixth Form: Nursery/Reception (EYFS, ages 3–5), Primary (Key Stages 1–2, Years 1–6), and Secondary (Key Stages 3–5, Years 7–13) leading to Cambridge IGCSEs and A-Levels. Age ranges are published on the school's curricula pages.
Stages
The school runs Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary programmes (age bands shown as Kindergarten 2–5, Primary 6–11, Secondary 12–17). Age-level details and grade distribution are published on the school site.
School type
School type
Invictus Phnom Penh is a private, co-educational day school and part of the Invictus group of schools (a Sing-Ed/Acrophyte group headquartered in Singapore). No boarding provision is listed for the Phnom Penh campus.
School type
Paragon ISC is an independent international day school offering programmes from early years through Grade 12; the school operates multiple campus sections (Kindergarten, Primary, Secondary). The school website and campus pages do not advertise boarding facilities.
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's materials emphasise an inclusive approach; third‑party listings and network pages note a Learning Support Coordinator who works with teachers and parents and can set individual programmes/IEPs and advise on external specialists where needed. Parents are advised to contact Admissions for details about specific provisions and assessments.
Additional learning support
Paragon publishes a Learning Support page describing a dedicated Learning Support department that works with teachers, teaching assistants and parents, runs awareness events (for example on dyslexia and ADHD), and participates in local SEN networks. The school uses in‑school interventions and refers to external specialists when needed.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Invictus International Schools are a proprietary brand of Sing‑Ed (education arm of Acrophyte) and are headquartered in Singapore; the Phnom Penh campus is part of that regional group.
Country affiliation
The school is registered in Cambodia and is authorised/recognised by the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports; it also delivers Cambridge (CAIE) qualifications and holds international accreditation (CIS).
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
The Phnom Penh campus does not state any religious affiliation on its public pages; school materials and third‑party profiles present it as a non‑sectarian international school.
Religious affiliation
Paragon ISC does not list any religious affiliation on its public ‘About' and accreditation pages; the provision is presented as secular/international.
School day structure
School day structure
According to the school FAQs, Early Years and Primary currently start at 7:30 AM and finish around 2:30 PM; Secondary typically starts at 8:00 AM and finishes around 3:00 PM, with after‑school CCAs offered from about 3:00–4:00 PM. Check Admissions for any year‑specific variations.
School day structure
Published information from school‑profile sources indicates a typical school day with families able to drop off from about 07:50 and school finishing around 15:30; exact start/finish times can vary by year group and term, so confirm with admissions for your child's year.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school's FAQs state that, due to low demand, Invictus Phnom Penh does not currently offer a school bus service; families are advised to contact Admissions if they need transport updates or to request a service in future. The contact page lists phone and messaging options for admissions enquiries.
Bus service details
The school coordinates a contracted bus service for student commuting and lists a transport/registration page with contact details for bus enquiries; routes are organised into pickup/drop‑off zones and fees depend on location (term‑ or annual‑based payment options). For route details and registration you should contact the school transport team.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and one-time enrolment fees
- Assessment fee (Years 1–13, one-time): USD 100. - Registration / application fee (one-time): USD 1,000 for the first child; USD 750 for a sibling. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable; a place is considered secure only after payment.
Tuition fees by year group (per year, per semester and per term) and capital fee
- Nursery (Half day): Annual USD 3,760 — Semester USD 1,927 — Term USD 987 — Capital fee USD 890. - Nursery (Full day): Annual USD 4,534 — Semester USD 2,324 — Term USD 1,190 — Capital fee USD 890. - Reception: Annual USD 5,351 — Semester USD 2,743 — Term USD 1,405 — Capital fee USD 890. - Years 1–6: Annual USD 6,921 — Semester USD 3,547 — Term USD 1,817 — Capital fee USD 1,100. - Years 7–9: Annual USD 7,553 — Semester USD 3,871 — Term USD 1,983 — Capital fee USD 1,350. - Years 10–13: Annual USD 8,812 — Semester USD 4,516 — Term USD 2,313 — Capital fee USD 1,410.
Sibling discount
- No discount for Student 1. - Sibling 1: 5% discount on tuition. - Siblings 2–4: 10% discount on tuition. - Discount rules: where two children enrol at the same time the discount applies to the highest-paying child; the discount also applies to the next child if there is already an existing enrolled child.
Miscellaneous and additional charges
- Co-curricular activities (CCA): USD 10–25 per session depending on the subject; each student receives a USD 20 credit per session included in tuition. - After-school care (2:00–4:30pm): USD 6 per hour (charged per day). - Uniform items (individual prices listed): School shirt USD 16; pants/skort USD 16; PE uniform USD 16; chair bag (primary) USD 10. The capital fee also includes one set of uniform for new enrolments. - Academic field trips: typical range USD 100–1,000 depending on destination (charged prior to activity commencement). - Snack: USD 1.50 per day (invoiced per month). Lunch (invoiced per term): Nursery–Year 1 USD 3.25 per meal; Years 2–6 USD 3.50 per meal; Years 7–13 USD 3.75 per meal. - Locker hire: charged annually; failure to pay within two weeks can result in removal from the locker assignment and cancellations are effective only at the end of the academic year. - Bank / transfer charges (where applicable): the school has previously indicated a range for bank/transfer charges (USD 20–200). Parents should allow for possible bank fees when making international transfers.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoices are issued and payments are due as stated on each invoice. Annual and semester payments list “deadline as stated in the invoice.” Term payment deadlines (example academic year schedule shown by the school) are: Term 1 deadline 8 September 2025; Term 2 deadline 9 December 2025; Term 3 deadline 3 March 2026. Semester 2 deadline example shown is 9 December 2025. (Invoice-specific deadlines may vary; the school's published schedule lists these dates for the academic year example.) All fees are charged in USD. - All fees listed are described by the school as non-transferable and (where stated) non-refundable; capital fees and tuition are charged in addition to application/registration fees.
Withdrawal and refund information
- Refunds apply to tuition only and are calculated by the school based on written notice of withdrawal relative to the course/term commencement date: - 100% refund if written notice is received 60 days or more before term/course commencement. - 50% refund if written notice is received between 30 and 59 days before commencement. - 0% refund if written notice is received less than 30 days before, on, or after the commencement date.
Boarding
- Boarding is not listed among the campus facilities or fee schedules for the Phnom Penh campus; the published campus facilities and admissions/fees pages do not indicate boarding services for this campus. Therefore boarding is not applicable for Invictus International School Phnom Penh.
Fee payment options and practical notes on payment
- The school issues invoices and indicates payment deadlines on those invoices. The published fee pages reference bank/transfer charges, which indicates bank transfer is a standard payment channel; parents should allow for bank transfer fees when remitting payments. Specific electronic or card payment methods are not listed on the fee schedule pages; payment instructions and accepted methods are provided on invoices or directly by the admissions/accounts office.
Fee details
Application fees - Toddler–Pre-K: USD 60 (payable once on application). - KG–Grade 12: USD 120 (payable once on application). (These application fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable.)
One‑time enrolment / initial fees - Enrolment (one‑time on acceptance): Toddler–Pre‑K USD 750; KG–Grade 12 USD 1,500. These enrolment fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable.
Annual registration and capital fees - Registration (annual): USD 850 (paid annually; non‑refundable). - Capital fee (annual): Toddler–Pre‑K USD 600; KG–Grade 12 USD 1,200 (payable annually in two instalments; non‑refundable).
Tuition fees — annual amounts by year group (USD, annual) - Kindergarten: Toddler (half day) USD 4,650; Toddler (full day) USD 5,500; Nursery half day USD 4,650; Nursery full day USD 5,500; Pre‑K (full day) USD 6,875; K (full day) USD 6,875. - Primary (Bilingual / International examples): Grade 1 Bilingual USD 7,660 / International USD 11,250; Grades 2–3 Bilingual ~USD 7,660 / International USD 11,250; Grades 4–6 Bilingual ~USD 7,970 / International USD 11,970. - Secondary (Bilingual / International examples): Grades 7–9 Bilingual USD 9,340 / International USD 12,910; Grades 10–12 Bilingual USD 9,720 / International USD 13,620. (Annual tuition varies by programme, campus and transfer status.)
Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment options: full payment (early full payment discount: USD 100) or instalments. - Instalment schedules published include a two‑instalment option (1st due 31 August; 2nd due 31 December) or a four‑instalment option (1st due 31 August; 2nd due 31 October; 3rd due 31 December; 4th due 28 February). - Late payment penalties: USD 50 if less than 30 days overdue; USD 100 if over 30 days overdue.
(If paying by instalments, equal splits of the annual tuition across the chosen number of instalments is a common practice — the dates above are the published due dates; instalment amounts will be set on the invoice / enrolment agreement.)
Boarding - No boarding programme is listed for Paragon ISC; the school operates as a day school.
Other costs and optional fees - Transport (school bus), lunch, clubs, external exam fees, extra uniforms and additional textbooks and co‑curricular charges are charged in addition to tuition; amounts vary by service. One set of school uniform and one PE set plus main subject textbooks are provided on registration.
Refund information - The school explicitly states that application, enrolment, registration and capital fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable. Refund rules for tuition or other charges are determined in the enrolment agreement and invoicing (no separate general tuition refund schedule is published on the public fee pages).
Payment methods - Onsite payment at the Finance Office; online payment (enter school ID in payment remarks); bank transfer to ABA Bank (PARAGON EDUCATION CO., LTD.) with campus‑specific account numbers provided by the school. The school publishes bank transfer details on the fee page.
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
Invictus Phnom Penh delivers a continuous Cambridge-based pathway from Early Years to Year 13: UK EYFS in Nursery and Reception (ages 3–5), Cambridge Primary (Years 1–6, ages 5–11), Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 7–9, ages 11–14), Cambridge IGCSE (Years 10–11, ages 14–16) and Cambridge AS/A‑Levels (Years 12–13, ages 16–18). The Early Years Foundation Stage includes communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, physical development, literacy, mathematics, expressive arts and understanding the world. Primary follows the Cambridge Primary framework for English, mathematics, science and foundation subjects and supplements mathematics with the Singapore Mathematics approach; instruction is in English with Khmer, Chinese and French offered as additional languages. Lower Secondary follows Cambridge Lower Secondary and students sit Cambridge Checkpoint examinations at the end of Year 9 before selecting a broad range of subjects for the two‑year IGCSE course (Years 10–11). The IGCSE programme offers a broad choice of subjects (English, mathematics, sciences, humanities, languages, ICT, business, arts) assessed by Cambridge, and Years 12–13 complete Cambridge International AS/A‑Level over two years with students typically taking three to four A‑level subjects for university entry.
Curriculum details
Paragon ISC's Kindergarten (ages 3–6) follows the Cambridge Early Years framework, organised into six learning areas: Communication, Creative Expression, Mathematics, Personal, Social & Emotional Development, Physical Development and Understanding the World. Primary (Grades 1–6) integrates the Cambodian National Curriculum with the Cambridge Primary International Curriculum and teaches core programmes such as English, Chinese, Khmer, mathematics, science, ICT, global perspectives, art, music, PE and robotics. Secondary offers both a Bilingual pathway (national curriculum in Khmer with selected Cambridge subjects) and an International pathway based on Cambridge: Cambridge Lower Secondary (ages 11–14), a two‑year IGCSE in Grades 9–10, and Cambridge Advanced (AS/A Levels) for pre‑university study, with subjects organised into Languages, Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics and Creative/ICT/PE. Paragon states its International Programme high‑school diploma is submitted to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport for equivalency with the national Grade 12 diploma; International Programme students are exempt from the Grade 6/9/12 national exams, while local students in the International stream must complete Khmer language, history and culture requirements for equivalency. The school also provides Cambridge assessment services (including Young Learners of English), functions as an SAT test centre, and runs extensive co‑curricular clubs, college counselling and awards (e.g., Duke of Edinburgh) to support student development and university progression.
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
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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
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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. Submit the online application: Complete the Invictus Application Form to enter the school's applicant pool; the site states the form takes about 10–15 minutes to complete and you will receive a confirmation email and access to the parent/guardian portal after submission. Parents should have digital copies ready before starting (photo, identity documents, immunisation record where applicable) to avoid delays. Submission places the child in the applicant pool but does not guarantee an offer — the school will contact you with next steps.
2. Prepare and upload required documents: The school asks for the child's birth certificate, passport/Cambodian national ID, recent passport photo, and for older applicants recent school reports (last two years) — immunisation records are specifically requested for Nursery, Reception and Primary applicants. Also be ready to upload a parent/guardian passport or national ID as part of the application. Make sure documents are legible and current (dates, names) because incomplete documentation can slow processing.
3. Assessment and interview: For Year 1 to Year 13 applicants the school requires an admission assessment and an interview; Invictus prefers in-person assessment/interview but can accommodate remote arrangements. There is a USD 100 assessment fee for Year 1–13 applicants — plan to pay this when booking the assessment. The interview may be conducted by the Manager for Marketing and Admissions, Deputy Principal, or Principal and is used to check English proficiency, social fit and academic readiness.
4. Offer, contract and registration payment: If the student is accepted the school issues a formal offer letter; once the acceptance is signed the school generates the contract and an invoice for the one-time registration fee. The current published registration fee is USD 1,000 for the first child (USD 750 for a sibling) and is non‑refundable and non‑transferable — the place is considered secured only after the registration payment is received. Parents should read the contract and fee schedule carefully before signing because most fees are stated as non‑refundable and non‑transferable.
5. Complete pre‑start requirements and understand payment/withdrawal terms: Before the start date families may need to submit outstanding items such as photo release, medical forms, immunisation records or an acknowledgement of late commencement; confirm any required forms with admissions. Review the published payment schedule and withdrawal/refund policy: the site lists term/semester deadlines and a tuition refund scale (100% refund if written notice is received 60+ days before term start, 50% between 30–59 days, 0% under 30 days). Because invoice deadlines and term dates can change, confirm the exact payment dates and any applicable capital fees or additional charges with Admissions when you receive the invoice.
Admissions
1. Start an application (online form). Begin by completing the school's online application form; the form saves progress so you can return to it if you need more documents. The admissions page is the official first step and the Admissions Team will confirm receipt and outline next steps.
2. Pay the application fee when you submit. Paragon's published policy requires an application fee that differs by age group (e.g., Toddler–Pre-K and KG–Grade 12 are quoted separately on the school fees page); this fee is payable once at submission and is non‑refundable. Parents should have a USD payment method ready and note the exact amount for the child's level before submission.
3. Admission assessment (test/observation) and parent/student interview. After the application is reviewed, the school schedules the relevant entrance assessment — for younger children this may be an observation, for older children a placement/entrance test — and usually an interview that includes parents and the student. Bring recent school reports (if available), identification and any information about learning support needs; the school uses these to place students at the appropriate level.
4. Offer of place and confirmation steps. Successful applicants receive an Acceptance Letter; to finalise enrolment parents must sign the agreement form and pay the one‑time enrolment fee indicated in the school's fee policy. Be aware the enrolment fee is described as non‑refundable and non‑transferable in the school's published fee rules.
5. Registration and capital fees to secure the school year. In addition to the enrolment fee, Paragon publishes an annual registration fee and a capital fee (amounts vary by programme and age); the registration fee secures the child's place for the coming academic year and is also non‑refundable. Confirm which fees apply to your child's campus/programme (Kindergarten, Primary, Secondary and Bilingual vs International programmes can differ).
6. Payment methods, instalments and deadlines. All fees are stated in USD and the school lists bank transfer details and on‑campus payment options; Paragon allows full payment or instalment plans, and publishes discounts for full payment and sibling/alumnus/referral discounts. Ask the Finance Office for the current instalment schedule and any early‑payment discount deadlines before you accept an offer.
7. Final steps before term starts. After fees are paid parents will be advised about uniform and textbook provisioning (the school states one set of uniforms and main subject textbooks are provided on registration), transport, lunch options and optional charges (clubs, trips, external exam fees). The Admissions Team will tell you which original documents they need to see in person and will confirm the student's start date once the registration is complete.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Invictus publishes a scholarship programme for students with outstanding academic performance or exceptional talent in music, sports or the arts, and for those with high potential in IGCSE/A‑level programmes. Scholarships require a formal application and shortlisted applicants are invited to an interview with the campus principal and the scholarship committee; awards and the number/amount of scholarships are determined by the committee based on achievement, prestige and quota. The published eligibility scope states scholarships are open to new students who have been offered a place and to existing students who meet the criteria; the school page specifies the scheme applies to students placed into Year 7 through Year 13. If you are interested, download and complete the scholarship application form from the school site and check the application window (the site notes the application window for existing students opens at the end of the school year).
Scholarships
Paragon publishes several scholarship routes and criteria on its campus pages. A common pathway is a scholarship examination or top public exam performance for students progressing into Secondary: examples on the school site include Grade 6 scholarship arrangements (scholarship examination and/or top Primary Checkpoint results) with awards that may be cash‑value grants or tuition coverage; the school page notes the top three Grade 6 candidates may receive awards (examples include a listed US$2,000 award in one notice and, in other notices, 100%/75%/50% tuition scholarships for the top three scorers) and states that registration and enrolment fees are waived for those winners. Other published scholarship criteria include high achievers at Grade 8, Grade 10 (IGCSE) and Grade 11–12 (AS/A level) with differing award levels, and some schemes are explicitly for Cambodian citizens. Scholarship places are limited and the school runs a specific scholarship examination or selection process — dates, qualifying rules and how many awards are available are set each year, so parents must contact Admissions for the current schedule and application requirements.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Invictus uses an applicant pool system: when an application is submitted a child is placed into the school's applicant pool, but the school does not publish a separate formal ‘waitlist policy' on its website. The applicant‑pool entry confirms the application has been received; whether and how the school holds or offers places from that pool is managed at the school's discretion and is not detailed publicly. Parents who want clarity about current availability, expected waiting times or how the pool is prioritised should contact Admissions directly (admissions@invictus.edu.kh or +855 92 222 868) to get up‑to‑date information for their child's year level.
Waitlist
Paragon's public admissions pages do not publish a formal waiting‑list policy. Instead, their published process instructs families to secure a place by completing the application and paying the registration/enrolment fees once an offer is made; that implies places are confirmed on payment rather than via a publicly described waiting‑list mechanism. If you are concerned about capacity for a particular grade or intake, contact the Admissions Office directly — the school's site lists dedicated admissions contacts for Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary.