When Does International School Start in Cambodia? A 2027 Guide

Most international schools in Cambodia begin their academic year in August, running through to June. Cambodian public schools follow a distinctly different rhythm set by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, typically starting in November and running through to August the following year, shaped around the country's festival calendar and climate rather than the northern hemisphere pattern.

That's a substantial gap between the two systems, so don't assume a local and an international place will overlap neatly. For 2027 to 2028, international schools should hold their usual August start, though exact dates are confirmed by each school around 12 months out.

Why the dates are so far apart

Cambodia's national school calendar is built around the country's major festivals and its hot, dry and rainy seasons, which is why it starts in November rather than following the international August pattern. International schools in Phnom Penh generally ignore this entirely and run their own August-to-June year, following whichever curriculum they teach, commonly British, American or a Cambridge-based syllabus blended with the Cambodian Ministry curriculum.

Term dates and key holidays

Within the August-to-June international school year, you can generally expect:

• Pchum Ben: A significant ancestor-honouring festival in September or October, timed by the lunar calendar, that closes schools for several days.
• Winter break: Around two to three weeks over Christmas and New Year at international schools.
• Khmer New Year: Mid-April, one of Cambodia's biggest holidays, closing every school in the country for around a week.
• Water Festival (Bon Om Touk): A major national holiday in November, timed by the lunar calendar, observed by both local and international schools.
• Plan ahead: International schools in Phnom Penh set their own calendars independently, so confirm dates directly with the school rather than assuming a shared pattern.

What to prepare, and from when

Five popular international schools in Cambodia

1. TG International School, Phnom Penh. Cambridge curriculum with Singapore Maths, ages 1.5 to 18, around 170 pupils, runs an August-to-June year. Fee data on doris for this school looked inconsistent at the time of writing, contact the school directly for current tuition.

2. ICS International School, Phnom Penh. Cambridge International blended with the Cambodian Ministry curriculum, two campuses. USD 3,760 to 10,222 a year depending on grade.

3. True Visions International School of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. English-Khmer-Mandarin trilingual programme, ages 1 to 18. KHR 9,953,252 to 13,203,293 a year (approx. USD 2,500 to 3,300).

4. MAKSON International Academy, Phnom Penh. Trilingual K-12 with an international daycare and early years programme, ages 1 to 18. Fee details aren't published on doris for this school, contact the school directly for current tuition.

5. Western International School, Phnom Penh. American-standards curriculum across multiple campuses, ages 3 to 18, around 260 pupils. KHR 10,359,507 to 11,984,528 a year (approx. USD 2,600 to 3,000).

Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.

Check school availability in Cambodia on doris

Schools in Cambodia may have waiting lists for certain year groups, so it helps to prepare well ahead of your preferred start date.

Start by exploring schools in Cambodia on doris and opening the profiles of those on your shortlist. You can review admissions details and, where available, check availability or send an enquiry to ask about places, waiting lists and application requirements. Include your child’s age and intended start date so the school can give you relevant guidance.

Explore the school overview and check availability.

View admissions details, scholarships and waiting list information.

Start your school search early to give your family more time to explore options and prepare your application.

FAQ

What month does international school usually start in Cambodia? Most international schools start in August. Cambodian public schools follow a different national calendar, typically starting in November.

What are the term dates for schools in Cambodia? Cambodian public schools run roughly November to August, set by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. International schools generally run August to June, following their own curriculum's term structure.

Does the international school year in Cambodia match the local school year? No. The two run on substantially different calendars. Both close for major Cambodian holidays, including Khmer New Year and the Water Festival, regardless of which academic calendar they otherwise follow.

When should we start applying for a 2027 start in Cambodia? Around 12 months ahead, particularly for younger year groups at popular Phnom Penh schools.

Why does Cambodia's school year start in November? The local calendar is built around Cambodia's festival calendar and seasonal weather patterns rather than the northern hemisphere academic tradition most international schools follow.

doris is a free, impartial international school discovery platform designed to help parents find the right international school for their children worldwide. Every school profile includes fees, curriculum, admissions, pupil numbers and more. Parents can compare schools, contact schools directly, access expert parent guides, and connect with a community of parents around the world. Start your search at doris.school.

This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: school academic calendars and fee pages, Cambodia Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.

Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.