Hope International School

In Brief

Hope is the Christian school in town. That is not marketing — it is genuinely the centre of gravity. It was set up in 2002 for missionary families and that DNA has not gone anywhere. Around 375 kids, 25-30 nationalities, average class size 17.

If your family is Christian or Christian-adjacent, you will likely love it. The community is warm, tight, and unusually involved. According to one parent, the kids "are encouraged in their walk with God" and surrounded by staff "who pour into our kids." That tracks with what people say in person — the wraparound community is the headline, not the campus or the facilities.

If you are not religious, read the fine print. They are clear that they "welcome non-Christians" — and parents confirm that is real, not token. But every subject is taught from a biblical worldview, daily. Some non-Christian families settle in fine and value the values-led environment. Others find it doesn't quite fit after a term and move to ISPP or Northbridge. Worth visiting before you commit.

Academics are solid rather than flashy. IGCSE and IB Diploma, small classes, teachers who know the kids by name. Graduates do go on to university and are generally well-prepared. It is not the school people pick for prestige — it is the one they pick for fit.

Two things to know going in. Teacher pay is low (it is partly a mission-funded model), and one former teacher of eight years flagged that "management was undergoing change" with the inevitable growing pains. So expect some staff turnover and the odd transition wobble. Fees, by Phnom Penh standards, are mid-range — meaningfully below ISPP and Northbridge.

Bottom line for your friend: if faith fits the family, Hope is probably the warmest landing pad in the city. If not, visit twice before deciding.