Schools in Kampot — options for expat families
Schools in Kampot for expat families — no AEFE-accredited establishment, CNED options and recommendations for schooling in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
- Cost
- 400 USD – 8 500 USD CNED ~400–900 EUR/year; Lycée René-Descartes Phnom Penh 4,000–8,500 USD/year
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Reading
- 4 min
In 3 bullets
- No AEFE-accredited establishment in Kampot in 2026 — French-speaking families with school-age children opt for CNED or move to Phnom Penh.
- CNED (French distance learning): a viable option for kindergarten and primary school with parental supervision.
- Phnom Penh (3h by road) remains the option for Lycée René-Descartes — feasible on a weekday basis if accommodation is available.
Situation in 2026
Kampot has no internationally accredited school recognised by the French national education system. Expat families with school-age children generally choose:
- CNED distance learning from Kampot for younger year groups.
- Moving to Phnom Penh for upper primary, middle school and high school.
Available options in Kampot
CNED — French distance learning
The main solution for families staying in Kampot.
- Fees: approximately 400–900 EUR/year depending on year group.
- Advantage: Kampot’s quality of life (low cost, tranquillity) can offset the constraints of CNED.
- Limitation: requires serious parental supervision and a quiet workspace at home.
- Enrolment: at cned.fr, before 15 June for the September intake.
Small local structures
A few small private bilingual (English-Khmer) nursery establishments exist in Kampot (non-accredited). Ask the local expat community (the “Kampot Expats Forum” group) for current recommendations.
Alternatives to Kampot
| Option | Location | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Lycée René-Descartes (AEFE) | Phnom Penh | 3h by bus |
| EFI / Acacia (French) | Phnom Penh | 3h |
| LFI Norodom Monineath (AEFE) | Siem Reap | ~6h (via Phnom Penh) |
| ISPP (IB) | Phnom Penh | 3h |
Phnom Penh (3h) is the nearest city with an accredited French high school from Kampot.
Schools in Phnom Penh
Lycée René-Descartes (AEFE), EFI, ISPP — all schools for expat families in the capital.
FAQ
Can a family live in Kampot and send their children to school in Phnom Penh?
Possible but complex: 3h each way by road, making daily school logistics very demanding. Some families keep a weekday flat in Phnom Penh and return to Kampot at weekends. CNED remains the most practical option for staying in Kampot.
Do AEFE scholarships apply to CNED?
No — AEFE scholarships only fund tuition at schools within the AEFE network. Contact the French embassy for information on any supplementary assistance.
Are there French classes for children in Kampot?
The French-speaking community sometimes organises informal learning groups. Contact the “Kampot Expats Forum” Facebook group for current initiatives.
Sources (2)
Every fact in this guide comes from official documents or government sites. An access date is recorded for each source.