Top 10 Schools for Gifted Children in Cambodia

If you are a parent in Cambodia noticing that your child learns faster than their peers, shows intense curiosity, or excels exceptionally in subjects like math or arts, you might be looking for a school that can keep up with them.

Here are the top 10 Schools for gifted children in Cambodia:

• International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)
• Northbridge International School Cambodia (NISC)
• Paragon International School
• Preah Sisowath High School (New Generation School)
• Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CIS)
• Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD)
• Harrods International Academy
• CIA FIRST International School
• Australian International School Phnom Penh (AISPP)
• Invictus International School

There are schools specifically labeled “for gifted children” (in the clinical sense) are rare. However, “gifted” education here is synonymous with high academic rigor, advanced curriculums (like IB or AP), and schools that offer specialized pathways for high achievers.

Table of Contents

1. What Does “Gifted” Education Look Like in Cambodia?
2. The Top 10 Schools for High-Achieving Students
3. How to Choose the Right School
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Does “Gifted” Education Look Like in Cambodia?

In Western countries, “gifted” often refers to special education programs for children with high IQs. In Cambodia, parents of gifted children usually look for:

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs: These encourage critical thinking and allow students to study subjects at a higher level.
• Advanced Placement (AP): American-style courses that count for college credit.
• STEM Focus: Schools that dominate in local and international Math/Science Olympiads.
• Singapore Curriculum: Known globally for its rigorous approach to Mathematics.

The Top 10 Schools for High-Achieving Students

(Please note: This list is not exhaustive and school rankings can vary depending on the criteria used. It’s recommended to conduct further research and visit schools to determine the best fit for your child.)

1. International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP)

Best For: All-around academic excellence and critical thinking.

ISPP is widely considered the most prestigious international school in the country. It is an IB World School, offering the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes.

• Why for Gifted Kids? The IB Diploma is rigorous. Gifted students can take “Higher Level” (HL) courses that challenge them beyond standard high school work.
• Facilities: State-of-the-art campus with a massive library, maker spaces, and performing arts centers.

2. Northbridge International School Cambodia (NISC)

Best For: Creative giftedness and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math).

Part of the Nord Anglia Education family, Northbridge offers a unique advantage through its collaborations with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and The Juilliard School.

• Why for Gifted Kids? Students with a talent for coding, engineering, or music get access to world-class curriculums developed by experts at MIT and Juilliard.
• Curriculum: IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).

3. Paragon International School

Best For: Math and Science Olympiad competitors.

Formerly known as Zaman, Paragon has a legendary reputation in Cambodia for producing students who win medals in international competitions.

• Why for Gifted Kids? If your child is a math whiz or loves physics, Paragon’s track record in the International Math Olympiad (IMO) and regional science fairs is unmatched. They focus heavily on STEM excellence.
• Curriculum: Cambridge (IGCSE, A-Levels) and National Curriculum.

4. Preah Sisowath High School (New Generation School)

Best For: Talented Khmer students seeking public sector excellence.

This is a public school that has undergone a massive reform to become a “New Generation School” (NGS). It operates semi-autonomously and focuses heavily on STEM and modern pedagogy.

• Why for Gifted Kids? It is a magnet for the brightest students in the public system. Admission is competitive, and the curriculum emphasizes technology, research, and project-based learning.
• Note: This is primarily for Khmer speakers and the only public school of this list, though the standard of English is high.

5. Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CIS)

Best For: Inquiry-based learning and future engineering/tech.

CIS follows the Alberta (Canadian) curriculum, which is consistently ranked among the top tier globally for reading, math, and science.

• Why for Gifted Kids? They recently opened a world-class makerspace and innovation center. The Alberta diploma is rigorous, and they also offer the IB Diploma for Grade 11-12, giving students a double advantage.

6. Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD)

Best For: Francophone academic rigor.

For French-speaking families, LFRD is the gold standard. The French education system is famously structured and demanding.

• Why for Gifted Kids? The “Baccalauréat” exam is intellectually demanding. The school has a long history of high academic standards and feeds into top universities in France and Europe.

7. Harrods International Academy

Best For: Mathematical foundation (Singapore Math).

Harrods utilizes the Singapore Curriculum, which is famous worldwide for producing students who rank #1 in PISA tests (global education rankings).

• Why for Gifted Kids? The “Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract” approach to math is excellent for children who process logic faster than their peers. It challenges them to understand the why behind the numbers, not just the how.

8. CIA FIRST International School

Best For: Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Diploma.

CIA FIRST is one of the few schools in Cambodia offering the AP Capstone Diploma, a program from the US College Board.

• Why for Gifted Kids? AP courses are college-level classes. A gifted 10th or 11th grader can take AP Calculus or AP Physics, earning university credits before they even graduate.

9. Australian International School Phnom Penh (AISPP)

Best For: Personalized learning pathways.

AISPP is an IB school that follows the Australian curriculum framework. They are known for a modern, inclusive approach.

• Why for Gifted Kids? Their smaller class sizes and modern philosophy often allow for more personalized “differentiation”—meaning teachers can adapt lessons to push a gifted child further without leaving the classroom.

10. Invictus International School

Best For: rigorous education at an accessible price point.

Invictus combines the Singapore Mathematics curriculum with the Cambridge International curriculum.

• Why for Gifted Kids? It offers the “best of both worlds” for academic rigor: Singaporean math logic combined with the depth of Cambridge A-Levels (which allow students to specialize deeply in 3-4 subjects they love).

How to Choose the Right School

Finding the best school depends on how your child is gifted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are there free schools for gifted children in Cambodia?
A: The New Generation Schools (NGS), like Preah Sisowath, are public schools (mostly free or low cost) designed for high-performing students. However, admission is based on competitive exams.

Q: Do international schools offer scholarships for gifted students?
A: Yes! Schools like Paragon, ISPP, and Northbridge often offer academic scholarships. You usually need to apply specifically for these and your child will need to take an entrance exam.

Q: What is the difference between IB and Cambridge for a gifted child?
A: IB forces a child to be good at everything (6 subjects + philosophy + service). Cambridge (A-Levels) allows a gifted child to focus only on what they are good at (e.g., just Math, Physics, and Chemistry).

Final Thought

Raising a gifted child in Cambodia is an exciting journey because the options are growing every year. You don’t need to find a school labeled “Gifted” to find the right fit. Instead, look for a curriculum that challenges them.

Key Takeaway: If your child loves hands-on projects, look at Northbridge or CIS. If they are purely academic and competitive, look at Paragon or ISPP.