Footprints International School

In Brief

Footprints is the school most expat parents in Phnom Penh consider when they want something solid without the ISPP or Northbridge price tag. Fees run roughly US$2,700-6,250 a year. That alone makes it a serious option.

It runs the Cambridge curriculum (IGCSE and A-Levels) with WASC accreditation. Two campuses, Toul Kork and Toul Tum Poung. Around 1,000 students, nursery to Grade 12.

The selling point most parents talk about is the bilingual English-Khmer model. According to one parent, "we chose Footprints because we actually wanted our kids to speak Khmer, not just live in the bubble." If you want your child genuinely connected to Cambodia rather than parked in an expat-only environment, that matters.

The student mix is heavily Cambodian with a meaningful expat minority. This is different from ISPP or Northbridge, where the expat community is the centre of gravity. Some expat families love this; others find their child is one of very few non-Khmer speakers in their year group. Worth visiting both campuses before deciding.

Honest caveats from the chatter: facilities and organisation get mixed reviews. One parent put it bluntly: "the teaching is good but the admin can be chaotic." Teacher quality varies by year group. The school has grown fast since 2007 and it shows in places.

Quick steer for your friend: - If budget is the constraint and they want their kid integrated into Cambodian life, Footprints is the obvious pick. - If they want a more traditional Western international school experience with that peer group, look at iCAN British, ISPP or Northbridge instead. - Either way, ask for a tour of both campuses, ask specifically about secondary teacher retention, and talk to two or three current parents at the same year group.