Bilingual Schools in Phnom Penh: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: Are there bilingual schools in Phnom Penh? Yes. Several schools run English and Khmer programmes, one adds Mandarin, and the French lycée teaches in French with English and Khmer. Fees are invoiced in US dollars, typically from roughly USD 4,000 a year at bilingual schools to USD 25,000 or more at the leading IB school.

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Parents looking at bilingual schools in Phnom Penh soon notice that the label covers very different schools. Some teach the Cambodian national programme in Khmer each morning and an English programme in the afternoon. Others are English-medium international schools with a Khmer lesson a few times a week. One is a French school with three languages on the timetable.

This guide explains those models, how to judge what your child will actually learn, and which of five well-known schools fits which language goal. We have included one English-medium IB school as a benchmark, so you can compare like with like.

Why Phnom Penh, and where families live

Phnom Penh has changed fast over the past fifteen years, with new towers, malls and roads alongside the old French-era boulevards. Expat families come for NGO and development work, embassies, garment and logistics firms, banking and a growing start-up scene. Living costs remain modest by regional standards, which is part of the appeal.

Many families live in Boeung Keng Kang (BKK1) and Tonle Bassac, close to the centre, cafés and many embassies. Toul Kork, in the north-west, offers larger villas and is close to several schools. Chroy Changvar, across the river, and Sen Sok, near the airport road, attract families who want newer housing and more space.

Traffic is the main daily cost. Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps are cheap, but rush hour on the main boulevards can turn a 5 km trip into 30 minutes, and heavy rain in the wet season slows everything further. Most schools offer buses; living within 15 minutes of school makes a real difference to young children.

What "bilingual" means in Phnom Penh

Before you visit, it helps to know which of these models a school actually runs.

English plus Khmer national programme: children follow the Cambodian curriculum in Khmer for part of the day and an English-language curriculum for the rest. This is the most common bilingual model and suits Cambodian families and long-term residents.
English-medium with Khmer lessons: teaching is in English, with Khmer language and culture as a subject. Children of expat families gain everyday Khmer but rarely full literacy.
Trilingual programmes: some schools add Mandarin as a third language, reflecting strong business links with China and the region.
Home-language national schools: the French lycée follows the French national curriculum in French, with English and Khmer taught alongside.

To judge language outcomes, ask how many hours a week are spent in each language, which external exams pupils sit, and whether your child would study Khmer with native speakers or in a beginners' group. A school that sets classes by level will usually get better results for newcomers.

The schools

Singapore (Cambodia) International Academy

Singapore (Cambodia) International Academy draws on Singaporean teaching methods, with a strong emphasis on maths and science taught in English. Khmer and Mandarin run alongside, which makes it one of the few genuinely trilingual options in the city. It suits families who like structured teaching and want Mandarin from an early age. Ask how the English and Khmer streams are organised at your child's level.

CIA FIRST International School

CIA FIRST International School runs an English programme alongside Khmer, with Cambridge-style international qualifications in the upper years. It has a large Cambodian intake and a growing number of expat families. It suits parents who want an international education at moderate fees, and children who will benefit from mixing with local classmates every day. Check campus location carefully, as commute times vary.

Lycée Français René Descartes

Lycée Français René Descartes is part of the worldwide French school network and teaches the French national curriculum in French, leading to the baccalauréat. English is taught from early primary and Khmer is part of the programme. It is the obvious choice for francophone families and for those planning a move to France, Belgium or another French school abroad. Non-French speakers fit in best when they join young.

Western International School

Western International School offers an English programme alongside Khmer across several campuses, at fees that sit below the premium international schools. It suits Cambodian families and expats on local packages who want solid English with real Khmer teaching. Ask which campus covers your child's age group and how English support works for children arriving mid-year.

International School of Phnom Penh

International School of Phnom Penh is included as the benchmark rather than as a bilingual school. It is English-medium and runs the full IB continuum, with Khmer and other languages offered as subjects. It suits diplomatic, NGO and corporate families who move every few years and need IB continuity, and it typically sits at the top of the local fee range.

Fees in Phnom Penh

Cambodia's economy is heavily dollarised. The US dollar circulates alongside the riel, which the National Bank of Cambodia manages at roughly KHR 4,000 to 4,100 per dollar, so international school fees are set and paid in USD. That gives families on dollar salaries welcome predictability.

As a rough guide, bilingual English and Khmer schools typically charge about USD 4,000 to 12,000 a year. The French lycée usually sits around USD 6,000 to 10,000. The leading IB school runs from roughly USD 15,000 in the early years to USD 25,000 or more in the Diploma years.

Budget for extras on top of tuition:

Application or assessment fee, often USD 100 to 500.
One-off enrolment or capital fee, roughly USD 500 to 3,000 depending on the school.
School bus, typically USD 800 to 2,000 a year.
Lunches and snacks, around USD 500 to 1,200 a year.
Uniforms and books, often USD 150 to 500.
External exams such as IGCSE, IB or the baccalauréat.
Trips and after-school activities, often charged per term.

Practical tips for families

Decide what bilingual means for your family. If your child needs Khmer literacy, look for a school with a full national programme. If you want English first and some Khmer for daily life, an English-medium school with good Khmer lessons may serve you better.

Check the English level in class. In schools with a mainly Cambodian intake, ask what share of pupils speak English at home and how teachers support those who do not. Sit in on a lesson in your child's year group.

Plan for the climate. Look at shade, air conditioning and indoor sports space. In the hot season and the rains, these practical details shape your child's day more than the brochure suggests.

Compare the full ranking

Language is only part of the picture. To compare curricula, fees and parent reviews across the city, see our ranking of the Best international schools in Phnom Penh and build your shortlist before booking visits.

More guides to schools in Phnom Penh

Frequently asked questions

Are there bilingual English and Khmer schools in Phnom Penh?

Yes. Several schools, including Western International School, CIA FIRST and Singapore (Cambodia) International Academy, combine an English programme with Khmer teaching, and SCIA adds Mandarin. Some follow the Cambodian national curriculum in Khmer for part of the day. Ask how many hours are taught in each language at your child's age before applying.

How much do bilingual and international schools in Phnom Penh cost?

Fees are set and paid in US dollars. Bilingual English and Khmer schools typically charge roughly USD 4,000 to 12,000 a year, the French lycée around USD 6,000 to 10,000, and the leading IB school from about USD 15,000 to 25,000 or more. Add application fees, enrolment fees, buses, lunches and exam entries.

Is the International School of Phnom Penh a bilingual school?

No. The International School of Phnom Penh is an English-medium school running the IB programmes, with Khmer and other languages offered as subjects. It suits globally mobile families who need IB continuity. Families who want genuine bilingual teaching in English and Khmer should look at schools that run a Cambodian national programme alongside English.