Admissions Overview

ISPP will enrol students whose educational needs can be met by the school. Depending on the grade level, students requiring additional support for developing their English skills may be placed into an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme. Students will exit the EAL programme once they demonstrate grade-level proficiency in the four skill areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

We value children’s individual growth and development and do our best to provide all students with the type of support that ensures their success. ISPP has Phnom Penh’s most comprehensive student support team, including an in-house speech therapist and a school psychologist. Our services are provided for students with moderate learning difficulties who need support to succeed in a mainstream class. Our program is flexible and based on the particular needs of the students. Support may take on a variety of forms: one-on-one, small group or in-class.

During the admissions process, parents must disclose all information and documentation relating to their child’s ability to successfully learn in a mainstream classroom. We review each student’s case individually to determine if our school can help them to succeed and we aim to be as inclusive as possible for children with diverse needs.

It is essential that we understand the requirements of each of our students and how we can support them. To do this we must fully understand any special needs and/or learning difficulties and we encourage families to be open and honest about their child’s learning. Failure to fully disclose special education needs or learning support history may result in termination of enrolment. If your child is admitted but is found to require support beyond our capabilities, they may be asked to withdraw.

Students who have emotional or social needs may also receive support or may be referred to an outside agency depending on individual requirements. Please note that therapeutic services are limited in Cambodia.

To ensure an international educational experience and environment for all students, ISPP has a policy which limits the number of students of any nationality to 30% of a grade level. As part of the application process, proof of nationality of the student and their parents must be provided, to ensure that we remain within the limit for each nationality.

The 30% limit applies to all nationalities, although most remain below the limit. At present, we have reached the limit for Cambodian students in most grades and only a small number of places become available each year for new Cambodian students.

For the purposes of admission to ISPP, the nationality of students is determined by the place of birth and nationality of both the applicant and their parents. For example, for students applying as foreign nationals, at least one parent must have been born outside of Cambodia and hold a passport/certificate for their nation of birth.

ISPP is a non-selective school and we welcome applications from any student who can demonstrate that they can access and benefit from the IB curriculum and activity programmes we offer. We accept applications any time throughout the academic year, up to one year in advance (beginning September 1).

Students must meet the English language requirement for their grade, reside with a parent or legal guardian, be able to pay the required fees and meet our age requirements.

Applications will be considered according to priority criteria and in order of application date. Priority will be given to siblings of attending students, enrolled students and children of diplomatic passport holders. Prioritisation based on employer, children of alumni or other criteria is not offered. Where demand is greater than space availability, waiting lists are created and managed under admissions procedures.

Submitting an Inquiry Form is the first step in the admissions process. The information given will allow us to provide you with relevant and specific information regarding your interests, and whether you want to learn more about the school or you are ready to apply.

If you would like to proceed with an application, you will complete a Pre-Application Form with an application fee deposit of $50. The pre-application adds your family to our applicant list until we can advise you that we have an available space. This allows families to apply with limited administrative and financial outlay. Please note that if you are applying early for a future academic year, we will not be able to confirm space until we begin enrolment for that academic year (typically from March – June). If space is not available then your child will be placed on our waiting list. 

If space is confirmed, we will request that you complete the final details on the Application Form and provide supporting documents for our principals to review.

Our admissions team works closely with families and will advise each family based on their individual circumstances. Simply submit an inquiry to get started!

Our admissions process is managed through OpenApply, our online admissions portal. Our Admissions team will liaise with families to support them through this process and ensure that all application requirements are met. Supporting documents are collected at different times throughout the admissions process. The documents needed are outlined below:

Pre-Application

• Photo identification page(s) in the parent/guardian and child’s current passports.
• Passport-size colour photos of parent(s)/guardian(s) and child. Photos must be taken within the last six months.
• Additional reports relating to your child’s learning needs (if applicable).

Application

• Previous school records/reports for at least the two most recent years (in English). If your child has not attended school for two full years, please provide any records/reports they have received.
• A writing sample from your child (for students applying to Grades 2 – 5). This can be any original piece of writing, drafted independently by the student.
• Recommendation from the previous school 
• Copy of original immunisation records
• Completed ISPP immunisation form

It is helpful for the files to be named with the full name (child or parent) and subject (e.g. Jane Smith – Writing Sample; John Smith – Passport; Jenny Smith – Photo)

Application Fee: $250

The application fee is payable in up to two instalments, non-refundable and non-transferable. An application fee deposit of $50 is due upon submission of the pre-application. The remaining balance of $200 is due when space is confirmed and we receive the final application details and supporting documents. For students applying mid-year for immediate placement, the full application form and fee may be completed at one time, if space is available.

A downloadable PDF of our recommendation form is available in the admissions portal to provide to the recommending school. This is a confidential document and the recommending school must return the completed form directly to ISPP. Recommendations received via other means will not be accepted.

Upon review of your child’s completed application, we may also request one or more of the following:

• English language testing (fee applies).
• Interview with the relevant Principal.
• Additional information relating to your child’s previous academic experience.

A downloadable PDF of our recommendation form is available in the admissions portal to provide to the recommending school. This is a confidential document and the recommending school must return the completed form directly to ISPP. Recommendations received via other means will not be accepted.

Upon review of your child’s completed application, we may also request one or more of the following:

• English language testing (fee applies).
• Interview with the relevant Principal.
• Additional information relating to your child’s previous academic experience.

When the number of applicants exceeds the availability of space for a particular grade level, students will be placed on a waiting list. Waitlisted students will be considered according to sibling or diplomatic priority. Students who do not have priority consideration will be considered in order of application. 

When placing a student on a waiting list, ISPP will strive to provide the family with a realistic assessment of the chances and possible timing for admittance to the best of our knowledge. Admissions staff will provide general advice about waiting lists, however, we do not provide specific information about waiting list length or timing of placement. 

When space becomes available within a grade level, the applicants for that grade will be reviewed and placement will be determined based on ISPP’s enrolment criteria.

Applicants on the waiting list will be considered for space throughout the academic year in which they applied. They will also be considered for the beginning of the following academic year, however priority considerations for the new academic year will be applied to the full applicant pool. If we cannot place the applicant by August of the following academic year, the family will be notified and will be offered the option to keep their child on the waiting list for the following year, for an additional, non-refundable fee.