Sophea Lim
- Posted on
AISPP- the only IB 4-programme School in Cambodia
Australian International School Phnom Penh (AISPP) is proud to be the only school in Cambodia authorised to offer all four International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Career-related Programme (CP), and Diploma Programme (DP).
The evaluation culminated in March 2025, when seven IB evaluators visited the AISPP campus for a three-day review. In preparation, the entire faculty collaborated on a detailed self-study report, supported by months of planning, surveys, and evidence-gathering. To ensure IBO standards and practices are met and the IB mission and philosophy underpin the work at the school, the evaluators scrutinised all four programmes through classroom observations, interviews, and document analysis. They examined curriculum planning and implementation, teacher qualifications and professional development, student well-being, policies, and assessment practices. The process was highly inclusive, with interviews conducted with teachers, students, parents, guardians, programme coordinators, and Board members, as well as classroom observations across all divisions.
AISPP was delighted to receive a final report commending the school on its commitment to high-quality learning environments, strategic initiatives aligned with the IB mission, and sustained focus on holistic education. Specific praise was given for the implementation of the Career-related Programme and continuing growth of parent engagement. Programme Coordinators were described as “key drivers of pedagogical excellence,” and AISPP was recognised for, “demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting students’ social, emotional, and physical well-being.” Importantly, the school did not receive a single matter to be addressed—an outcome that confirms AISPP’s full compliance with IB standards.
“These evaluations unquestionably generate a lot of work for us all, often beyond normal school hours. However, they are an essential part of being a credible international school—and we welcome the process,” said Betsy Hanselmann, AISPP Head of School. “Whether it’s through IBO, Council of International Schools (CIS), or Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), we believe families deserve external validation that our teaching and learning practices, governance, and student well-being meet global benchmarks—not only what we believe is best at AISPP. These agencies help ensure we remain accountable and continuously improve, so we welcome them into our school.”
Hanselmann also noted the importance of accreditation in the broader Phnom Penh context:
“We are seeing a sharp rise in the monetization of international education. It’s essential that parents ask the right questions when choosing a school for their children. One of the best ways to protect your child’s learning and well-being is to understand which accreditation bodies a school works with. At AISPP, we’re proud to be recognised by global organisations like the IBO, CIS, and WASC, to ensure we continue to deliver the very best for the families who entrust us with their children’s education, physical safety, and emotional well-being.”
Currently, in Cambodia, all private and public primary and secondary schools must be accredited by the Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) to comply with local legislation on curriculum standards, school infrastructure, and teacher qualifications. However, international schools are not legally mandated to obtain external accreditation from international accrediting agencies such as CIS or WASC.
