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All schools in the French International School Phnom Penh group
Fabrice Filachet
School Principal
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, Khmer
Strengths Sport, Outdoor Education, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Kindergarten
Introduction
The École Française Internationale de Phnom Penh (EFI) Bassac Garden Campus provides a bilingual education for early learners, blending the French Ministry of National Education programs with Cambridge International standards. Set in a quiet neighborhood within the Tonle Bassac area, this campus focuses on Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten students. The school operates a unique "two teachers per class" co-teaching model, where students learn simultaneously in French and English from native speakers. Children explore their surroundings in an outdoor garden equipped with age-appropriate obstacle courses, a sandbox, and a dedicated shallow swimming pool. In addition to daily language immersion, students are introduced to a third language, either Khmer or Mandarin from age four. By sharing this campus with the Canadian International School, EFI offers a highly international environment with over 30 nationalities, ensuring students receive highly customized attention through strictly maintained low-enrollment classes.
EFI (French International School of Phnom Penh) - Bassac Garden Campus has instruction in English, French.
Location
The Bassac Garden Campus is situated in a quiet, tree-lined residential neighborhood in the Tonle Bassac area of central Phnom Penh. Located just off Preah Norodom Boulevard, it provides a secure and calm environment away from heavy city traffic.
Stages
The Bassac Garden Campus specifically caters to early childhood education, serving children from 18 months to 5 or 6 years of age. This includes the Nursery (TPS) through Kindergarten (GS) levels. Upon completing Kindergarten, students transition to the main Koh Pich campus for their primary and secondary education.
Type
The school is a co-educational day school. It does not offer boarding facilities at any age level.
Additional learning support
The school evaluates support for Additional Learning Needs on a case-by-case basis, utilizing its low student-to-teacher ratios and co-teaching model to offer differentiated learning. Parents must provide all relevant medical and educational records during the admission process to determine if the school's facilities can meet the child's specific requirements.
Country affiliation
The school is directly affiliated with France, following the French Ministry of National Education curriculum, but it also maintains strong international ties through its bilingual program and partnership with the Canadian International School of Phnom Penh.
Religious affiliation
The school is entirely secular and does not have an affiliation with any particular religion.
School day structure
The school day for early learners at the Bassac Garden campus generally runs from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The daily schedule incorporates dedicated periods for dual-language instruction, outdoor play in the campus gardens, and a supervised lunch break.
Bus service
A dedicated school bus service is available for families requiring daily transportation to and from the campus. The buses operate across various central routes in Phnom Penh to assist relocating and working parents. Families can organize specific pickup times, routes, and fees directly with the administration office during enrollment.
Fees
Annual tuition at EFI (French International School of Phnom Penh) - Bassac Garden Campus ranges from KHR 22,856,290 to KHR 38,294,311 for 2026/27.
Enrollment / Application fee
- First-time enrollment fee (new students): USD 1,200. This fee is payable on registration and is non‑refundable.
Annual tuition, capital fee and total fees (2026–2027) — by year group
- Nursery (TPS) — From 2 years old - Tuition (half day): USD 4,600; Capital fee: USD 1,100; Total annual: USD 5,700. - Tuition (full day): USD 5,400; Capital fee: USD 1,100; Total annual: USD 6,500.
- Kindergarten (Cycle 1) - PS (Pre‑K): Tuition (half day) USD 6,380; Tuition (full day) USD 7,300; Capital fee: USD 1,750; Total annual (half day) USD 8,130; Total annual (full day) USD 9,050. - MS/GS (Junior‑K / Senior‑K): Tuition USD 7,800; Capital fee USD 1,750; Total annual USD 9,550.
Per‑term breakdown (three‑term payment plan) — per year group
- Payment structure for three installments: first term = 40% of the annual tuition; second term = 30% of the annual tuition; third term = 30% of the annual tuition. For families choosing two or three installments, the capital fee may be split into two payments (50% with the first invoice and 50% with the second). The term instalments below apply when the capital fee is split 50/50 and the tuition is split 40/30/30.
- Payment options: full annual payment, two instalments (semester) or three instalments (term). When paying annually the full amount is due before the start of the school year; when paying by semester the two instalments are each 50% of the tuition; when paying by term instalments are 40% / 30% / 30% of the tuition. For two‑ or three‑instalment plans the capital fee may be split into two payments (50% at the first invoice and 50% with the second). Late payment penalties and the invoicing schedule are set out in the school's financial regulation.
- Accepted payment methods: bank transfer (parents must cover bank charges and include the student name on the transfer), cash deposit into the school bank account (by appointment), cheque from a Cambodian bank, and QR code payment. Bank account information is provided for bank transfers.
Other costs and conditional charges
- Book/library deposit (refundable at end of schooling): USD 150 for MS/JK to CM2/G5; USD 300 for Collège/Secondary (G6 and above). The deposit will be used to cover unreturned or damaged items and must be topped up if deductions are made.
- School meals (canteen) and extra‑curricular activities (ECAs) are not included in EFI tuition and are payable directly to the partner school (Canadian International School) that manages those services. Exam registration fees, certain events, travel and tournament costs, and laptop requirements (from Grade 9) are also not included. Uniform renewal and personal items are not included (first registration includes an initial set of uniforms/backpack as described in the school fees).
- Re‑enrollment placeholder deposit: USD 1,000 (deducted from the first balance statement of the relevant year).
Discounts and concessions
- Early‑payment discount: 3% discount on tuition when the full year is paid before April 30, 2026 (early‑bird). - Sibling discount: 5% on tuition for the second child; 10% for the third and additional children. Families with students enrolled before the 2023–2024 school year retain a 10% sibling discount for the second child.
Refund policy
- Any term that a student has begun must be paid; no reimbursement of tuition fees is made during a term. For annual payments, reimbursements are calculated from the term(s) not yet started by the student, except in exceptional cases approved by school management. Departures for force majeure are reviewed on written request. The first enrollment fee is non‑refundable. All refunds are subject to a 10% transaction/administrative fee. Failure to comply with payment deadlines may lead to reminders, penalties and possible exclusion procedures as set out in the financial regulation.
Academics
EFI (French International School of Phnom Penh) - Bassac Garden Campus teaches Bespoke Curriculum, French Curriculum for students aged 1.5 to 6.
Curriculum
The French stream at Bassac Garden provides the French school program for kindergarten, with 24 hours of teaching per week, 80% of instruction in French, and compliance with the French education code; it follows the French national education program.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Online Application and Document Submission Parents initiate the process by completing a digital enrollment application via the school's online EDUKA platform. This step requires compiling and uploading a designated collection of records, including signed procedural rules, a health history form with proof of immunization, past academic report cards, and identification passports for students, parents, and any authorized pickup guardians. Once all digital materials are fully compiled, an automated acknowledgment of receipt is issued to the family via email. Reviewing families must ensure all data is accurate, as incomplete application files will pause the evaluation process until all missing documents are provided.
2. Principal Interview and Review Meeting For families located in Phnom Penh during the enrollment period, the school schedules an in-person meeting with the school Principal. This session serves as a factual review of the applicant's academic profile and provides an opportunity to discuss their linguistic background in relation to the school's dual educational paths. It ensures that the academic frameworks of the school match the student's learning profile before an official decision is issued. For overseas families who cannot attend a meeting in person, alternative communication arrangements are coordinated directly through the school administration.
3. Placement Review and Language Assessment Following the initial profile review, the administration evaluates the student's linguistic capabilities and age eligibility to determine the correct grade level placement. Students are strictly assigned to classes based on their exact chronological age as of December 31st of the current academic year, with the nursery stream accepting children starting at eighteen months old. If an applicant does not exhibit a sufficient level of English proficiency for immediate independent tracking, the school issues specific pedagogical recommendations to support their integration. This step guarantees that incoming students are structurally prepared for the linguistic demands of their assigned stream.
4. Admission Decision and Registration Finalization The final step concludes with a formal admission decision communicated directly to the parents by the school Principal. The decision will explicitly categorize the student as admitted, conditionally admitted, placed on the official waiting list, or not admitted. To secure the offered placement, families must finalize the financial registration requirements, which include paying the non-refundable first-time enrollment fee and the capital fees. Access to classrooms, extracurricular activities, and school transport services is conditional upon completing these upfront financial allocations before the designated payment deadlines.
Scholarships
EFI offers scholarships. Families wishing to apply for a scholarship should contact the school management to obtain a scholarship application form.
Waitlist
Waiting lists operate as follows: Priority 1 is for students already enrolled at EFI; Priority 2 is for siblings of EFI students; Priority 3 is for students who have previously been enrolled at EFI; Priority 4 is for new students, in the order that complete dossiers are submitted to the school administration.
FAQs
What ages does the Bassac Garden Campus serve?
The Bassac Garden Campus currently hosts Nursery (TPS) and Pre-K (PS). TPS accepts children from around 18 months, and PS is for roughly 3–4 years old. The broader French International School network in Phnom Penh serves students from ages 1–17 across campuses.
Where is the Bassac Garden Campus located and how is it related to CIS?
It's located in Bassac Garden City, Phnom Penh, and shares premises with the Canadian International School of Phnom Penh. The site features a large garden, playgrounds, a pool for young children, and a quiet, home-like environment.
What curriculum does the French stream at Bassac Garden follow?
The French stream follows the French national education program, with 24 hours of teaching per week and about 80% of instruction in French, aligned with French education codes.
How is bilingual teaching structured in the early years?
The program uses bilingual instruction; in primary, two teachers per class divide study time 60% to the French-speaking teacher and 40% to the English-speaking teacher, with English and French appearing daily in timetables.
What are the tuition costs for Nursery and PS at Bassac Garden?
Nursery half-day is USD 4,600 (total 5,700 with capital fee); Nursery full-day is USD 5,400 (total 6,500). PS half-day is USD 6,380 (total 8,130) and PS full-day is USD 7,300 (total 9,050).
Is there an enrollment fee and what is it?
Yes. The first-time enrollment fee is USD 1,200, and it is non-refundable.
Are scholarships and waitlists available for admission?
EFI offers scholarships. Waiting lists are used for admissions with priority given to students already enrolled, followed by siblings, former EFI students, then new applicants.
What payment options are available for tuition, and how are installments handled?
Families can pay in full for the year, or use two installments (semester) or three term installments (40%/30%/30%). The capital fee can be split in two payments if paying by two or three installments; accepted methods include bank transfer, cash, cheque, and QR payments.
Are there other costs beyond tuition I should budget for?
Yes. There are deposits for books/libraries (USD 150 for some grades, USD 300 for older grades), and items like canteen, ECAs, exam/laptop fees, and uniform renewals are charged separately. A USD 1,000 re-enrollment deposit is also required and refundable until June 22.
What happens if I need to switch to a different plan mid-year?
Term instalments are 40%/30%/30% of tuition, and the capital fee can be split 50/50 with the first and second invoices; late payment penalties follow the school's financial regulation.
Which grades are taught at Bassac Garden Campus, and where do higher grades study?
Bassac Garden Campus currently hosts TPS (nursery) and PS (pre-kindergarten). Middle and high school levels are not described as part of this campus.
What outdoor and campus facilities does Bassac Garden have for young children?
The campus features a large garden with playgrounds, obstacle courses, soft play areas, and a sandbox, plus a swimming pool suitable for young children.
Are ECAs and meals included in the EFI tuition?
Canteen meals and extra-curricular activities are not included in EFI tuition and are paid directly to the Canadian International School, which manages these services.
What third languages are offered, and from what age?
From age 4, Khmer or Mandarin are offered as third languages; in middle school, Spanish and Latin are available.
What are the admission requirements for Cycle 2 (Grade 1–3)?
Cycle 2 admissions require a good recommendation from the previous school and a solid grasp of French to integrate into French-taught classes. If French is insufficient, intensive French or other supports may be provided; insufficient English may trigger pedagogical recommendations.
Are there specific admission requirements for higher levels like Cycle 3 or the Lycée?
Higher levels are admitted after an interview with the Principal.
Is there a uniform policy, and what does it include?
An initial set of uniforms is included with first registration; details on ongoing uniform renewal are not provided.
What is the campus setting like in terms of environment and safety?
The Bassac Garden Campus is in a quiet, green neighborhood with trees and fresh air, designed to feel like home and support comfortable, stimulating development for young children.
What accreditation or partnerships does the school have?
The school is an AEFE partner since August 2025, linking it to the French education network.
What is the governance and leadership structure at Bassac Garden Campus?
The campus is part of the French International School network; the head of school is Fabrice Filachet, and the campus shares premises with CIS.
