| International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP) | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Phnom Penh, Cambodia | |
| Information | |
| School type | Private, non-profit, co-educational. |
| Motto | An IB World School Serving International Students in Phnom Penh[2] |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Director | Barry Sutherland |
| Principal | Anthony Coles (secondary school)[1] |
| Principal | Tracy France-George (elementary school) |
| Vice principal | Holly Gardner (secondary school) |
| Vice principal | Kim Engasser (elementary school) |
The International School of Phnom Penh (ISPP) is an international school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is a private, non-profit, English language, coeducational day school that offers an educational program from preschool (2.5 year olds) through grade 12. The school was founded in 1989. At the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year, enrollment was 369 students, representing 29 countries.
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ISPP was started in 1989 by some families working for non-government organizations. The first six students, aged three to seven, met part-time in the home of one of the parents who became their teacher.
In 1990, a villa was rented and ISPP took the first real steps to become a normal day school. A curriculum was developed and a Kindergarten to Grade 4 program was set in place. Student numbers gradually increased at the start of the school year to 11. ISPP's Charter was then written and approved, establishing it as a parent-owned and operated non-sectarian, non-profit school.
By 1995, the full-time expatriate faculty numbered 14 and the student body 230. In February, following in-service training, the school developed an innovative approach to effectively meet the needs of the EAL learners at ISPP. A Biology laboratory was established for the secondary school along with the continued expansion of the Computer Lab and the Media Center.
Early in 1996, a formal learning support program was developed and a full-time learning support teacher was employed later that year. A strategic plan was also developed for the integration of technology into the ISPP curriculum. A technology committee was established to facilitate this plan.
In 1998-99, the school presented for its final international accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) following three years' provisional accreditation. The full accreditation visit took place in March 1999 and in may, the school was told that it had received a full 6-year accreditation at its first attempt. ISPP had then become the only fully internationally accredited school in Cambodia at the time.
In 1999-2000, the decision to become an IB World School was taken. The International Baccalaureate Organization carried out an authorization visit and approved the school as an IB Diploma school. in 2001, the school was also authorized to offer the Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the IB. The authorization for the IB Primary Years Programme was given in September 2004.
During the academic year of 2004-05, the school was also accredited by the CIS and the WASC.
Finally, in 2009-10, the faculty produced a comprehensive self-study for the joint 5-year CIS/WASC/IB accreditation visit, which took place in April 2010. ISPP was the first school in the world to use the open-source Moodle software for the self-study and collaboration.
The school operates under an agreement with the Royal Government of Cambodia through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
The curriculum draws from diverse English language sources. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is offered in Grades 11 and 12. In grades 6-10, the school has implemented the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. ISPP introduced the IB PYP (Primary Years Program) program in August 2002 to become an IB World School. In the elementary grades, the school operates a developmentally based preschool and Reception 1 to Grade 1 program incorporating appropriate academic activities. Grades 2-5 feature a comprehensive curriculum provision through composite classes. Music, art, computer studies, physical education, swimming, ESL, French and Khmer language classes are part of the curriculum for all grades. ISPP provides learning support and counselling activities. The school runs some after-school program activities including instrumental music. The School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS).
The school year consists of 2 semesters, each of 2 terms, extending from mid-August to late December and from late January to mid-June.
In the 2004-2005 school year, there were 39 full-time and 4 part-time faculty members. The faculty is multi-national and the vast majority come from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
As of 2006, the school was housed in rental facilities on opposite sides of Norodom Boulevard. The elementary school campus has been extended and has various facilities facilities including a library, computer and media center, art and music rooms, a basketball court and medium-size swimming pool. The secondary school occupies recently renovated facilities, including an auditorium, computer laboratory, design technology workshop, library, studio art and design center, two science laboratories, dance studio, 15 general-purpose classrooms, a basketball court, a smaller grass area for general sports, and has access to a full-sized football ground with 400m running track and sports equipment. All rooms on both campuses are air-conditioned. Recently, there was also a PA system installed.
Honour Roll for the secondary school is determined each semester. It is in recognition of outstanding performance in academics. The Honour Roll is based upon a student achieving any of the following:
The Secondary School also recognizes student achievement and effort with the following awards:
| Award | Criteria | Selection Process | Presented At |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Award for Educational Excellence (Gold) | Top two students on total semester marks for final two years completed at ISPP | Determined by scores on reports | Graduation Ceremony |
| Presidential Award for Educational Achievement (Silver)1 | Maximum two students who show outstanding growth and commitment but did not qualify for Gold Award. Nominated students must qualify for the Honour Roll in their final semester marks. Students must have attended ISPP for grades 11 and 12. | Staff nominates the students and the Secondary Administration determines the final recipient(s) | Graduation Ceremony |
| CIS2 International Student Award | The students must have demonstrated a clear commitment to sustained interaction with students of the other nationalities, languages or ethnic backgrounds in a spirit of understanding and cooperation. Projects should encompass efforts directed beyond participation in regular school activities. | The staff nominate a project or group of students from all grade levels. The Director and Principals discuss nominations and determine the recipient. | End of the Year Assembly (Elementary or Secondary). |
| ECIS3 Student Award for International Understanding | Awarded to a student who is a good representative of his/her own country, with a positive attitude toward the life and culture of others, able to converse in at least two languages and is a contributing force in the life of the school, with the ability to bring differing people together into a sense of community, thus furthering the cause of international understanding. | One award per school may be given each year. The Student Council organizes the selection and voting process. The students and staff are given one ballot each. | Second Semester Awards Ceremony |
| ISPP Legends | Issued for graduating students and leaving teachers who have been a part of the ISPP community for 10 years or more. | Determined by records | Graduation ceremony |
| Athletic Achievement Awards | Given to students with outstanding achievements in sports. | Selected by the ISPP coaches | Second Semester Awards Ceremony |
| Leadership Award1 | Presented to up to two graduates who should be recognized for their leadership contributions and participation in the ISPP decision-making process | Staff nominates students and the CAS4 Coordinator and Secondary Admin review the nominations and vote for the final recipient(s) | Graduation Ceremony |
| EARCOS5 Global Citizenship Award | This award is presented to a student who embraces the qualities of a global citizen. this student is a proud representative of his or her country while being respectful of the diversity of other nations. He or she should have an open mind, should be well informed, aware and empathetic, concerned and caring for others, thus encouraging a sense of community and strongly committed to engagement and action to make the world a better place. Finally, the student must be able to interact and communicate effectively with people from all walks of life while having a sense of collective responsibility for all who inhabit the globe. | Staff nominate students for the award. A panel of 2 students, 2 teachers and the Secondary Management Team discuss the nominations and vote for the recipient. | Second Semester Awards Ceremony |
| Community and Service Award | Presented to a maximum of two grads, who should be recognized for their positive character and service to the school and the community | Staff nominates students and the CAS4 Coordinator with the Secondary Admin review the nominations to vote for the final recipient(s) | Graduation Ceremony |
| Achievement and Effort Certificates | Awarded to one student in each class for their outstanding achievement or effort during the semester. | Each class teacher selects a maximum of one student for achievement and effort recognition. | Second Semester Awards Ceremony |
1 This award may not be given out every year
2 Council of International Schools
3 European Council of International Schools
4 Creativity, Action, Service
5 East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools
As of 2010-11, the tuition rates were as follows[3]:
Additionally, there are capital fees per year, which is about 10-15% of tuition fees. Enrollment and entrance fees of US$ 3,250 are charged once.