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Strengths Languages, Sport, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, High School, Sixth Form
Introduction
Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD) is an AEFE‑homologated French school in Phnom Penh, founded in 1951. It provides French national curriculum teaching from maternelle through terminale and runs a Section Internationale Américaine (SIA) with options leading to the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI). The school's language pathways include daily Khmer lessons and instruction/support in English, Spanish and Chinese; the SIA offers additional English‑language instruction. In September 2023 LFRD opened a small internat (boarding house) for élèves de 3ème à terminale (capacity up to 15); boarders are transported to/from school each day by the internat shuttles. Annual tuition (2025–2026) ranges from USD 5,526 (primary, French/Cambodian nationality rate) up to USD 9,855 (lycée, other nationalities). The school publishes details on fees, language pathways, SIA and the internat on its website.
Lycée Français René Descartes has 1,150 pupils, instruction in French, English.
Location
The Lycée Français René Descartes is located at Rue Christopher Howes (Rue 96), Wat Phnom, BP 1132, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The campus sits in the Daun Penh district in central Phnom Penh, near the Wat Phnom area, with access to local transport such as taxis and tuk-tuks. The address is publicly listed as part of its Phnom Penh footprint.
Stages
The school serves preschool through terminale (the final year of lycée). Classes range from petite section (maternelle) to terminale, and the curriculum includes the Brevet des Collèges and the Baccalauréat.
Type
The school is a co-educational day school; there are no public indications of boarding facilities.
Additional learning support
The school follows an inclusive education approach. For students with special educational needs, LFRD provides three specialized teachers, an orthophoniste (speech-language pathologist), and a school psychologist who work with families to create an action plan and an individualized support arrangement.
Country affiliation
The school is affiliated with France through the AEFE network (Agency for French Education Abroad) under agreement with the French government.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation is not listed; the school operates as a secular French international school.
School day structure
Exact start and end times are not published publicly. The school provides on-site meals: Kindergarten meals around $3.60 per meal; Primary/Middle/High school meals around $4 per meal.
Bus service
A publicly listed school bus service is not indicated on the site.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees
Annual tuition at Lycée Français René Descartes ranges from KHR 24,225,554 to KHR 31,611,492 for 2026/27.
Application and registration fees - First (initial) enrolment fee: USD 2,300 for students of Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 3,042 for students of other nationalities. - Re-enrolment (registration) fee: USD 496 for Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 571 for other nationalities.
Annual tuition fees by school level - Primary (per year): USD 5,526 for Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 7,415 for other nationalities. - Collège / Middle school (per year): USD 6,512 for Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 8,720 for other nationalities. - Lycée / High school (per year): USD 7,362 for Cambodian and/or French nationality; USD 9,855 for other nationalities.
Billing schedule and per-term amounts (annual fees split over three terms) - The school bills fees in three periods (trimesters) and applies the standard split of 40% of the annual tuition for the first term, 30% for the second term and 30% for the third term. Invoices are issued at the start of each period and are payable within 15 days of the invoice date. - Per-term amounts calculated on that 40% / 30% / 30% basis (amounts shown in USD): - Primary (Cambodian/French): 1st term USD 2,210.40; 2nd term USD 1,657.80; 3rd term USD 1,657.80. - Primary (other nationalities): 1st term USD 2,966.00; 2nd term USD 2,224.50; 3rd term USD 2,224.50. - Collège (Cambodian/French): 1st term USD 2,604.80; 2nd term USD 1,953.60; 3rd term USD 1,953.60. - Collège (other nationalities): 1st term USD 3,488.00; 2nd term USD 2,616.00; 3rd term USD 2,616.00. - Lycée (Cambodian/French): 1st term USD 2,944.80; 2nd term USD 2,208.60; 3rd term USD 2,208.60. - Lycée (other nationalities): 1st term USD 3,942.00; 2nd term USD 2,956.50; 3rd term USD 2,956.50. - Standard trimester calendar: 1st term = September–December; 2nd term = January–March; 3rd term = April–June.
Billing and payment terms (key points) - Families may choose to pay annually or by trimester; invoices for each period are issued in advance and are payable within 15 days of the invoice date. - A family may request exceptional monthly instalment arrangements; such requests must be submitted in writing and require approval by the school's management/board. - Arrivals or departures during a trimester are handled on a prorata temporis basis with the rule that any month begun is due in full. - Consequences of non-payment include suspension of participation in activities, temporary exclusion from classes, and possible cancellation of registration if invoices remain unpaid beyond the stated deadlines.
Boarding (internat) fees - Boarding is available for students in third (3ème) to terminale. The annual boarding fee (including accommodation and meals) is USD 5,200 per academic year. Pupils receiving school bursaries receive support on the same scale as their awarded bursary; transport for bursary students to family homes is included at the bursary rate.
Other costs and typical ancillary fees - School meals: USD 3.60 per meal for kindergarten (maternelle); USD 4.00 per meal for primary, collège and lycée. - Extracurricular activities: charged per semester; indicative price ranges by activity are published (examples: homework help USD 55–70 per semester; various sports and arts activities typically USD 20–120 per semester depending on level and frequency). - Exam/registration-related fees and some other charges (exam entries, specific activity fees, certain material fees) are billed separately when applicable; exam fees are billed when registrations are made and are not refundable once the school has completed the registration with the examining authority. - The standard tuition fee covers several items: membership to the parents' association, loan of textbooks, civil-liability insurance, school supplies for primary and art materials for collège, as specified in the school's financial regulations. - No uniform charge is listed as a compulsory school fee on the published fee schedule; costs for optional items or specific equipment (sports kit, special materials) may apply and are billed separately when required.
Refunds and non‑refundables - Initial enrolment (first-inscription) fees are non‑refundable. Exam registration fees are not refundable once the school has processed the entries with the examining authority. - For families leaving the school during a trimester, a prorated adjustment is applied with the policy that any month started is payable in full; the school requires account settlement and return of loaned materials before final departure formalities are completed.
Accepted payment methods and practical notes - Accepted payment methods include bank transfer (bank details are provided on invoices), payment by cheque where applicable, and cash deposits following the instructions printed on the invoice; bank transfer fees are borne by the payer. Credit-card payment is not listed as a standard method in the published financial regulations. - Bank transfers must include the pupil's name, class and the period being paid so the school can allocate the payment correctly. Families whose fees are paid by an employer remain contractually responsible for timely payment and should ensure the school receives the funds by the invoice due date.
Sibling discounts and reductions - Sibling reductions are published: discounts on first-inscription fees (e.g., a USD 50 reduction for the third child and USD 100 per child from the fourth child onward) and reductions on annual tuition (for example, 2nd and 3rd child: 8% annual reduction; 4th child and beyond: 10% annual reduction) as set out in the fee schedule.
Contact for finance matters - The school's finance department can be contacted by phone at +855 77 414 965 or by email at finance@lfrd.net for invoice queries, payment instructions and confirmation of bank details.
(Amounts and procedural rules are given in USD as published in the school's official fees and financial regulations.)
Academics
Lycée Français René Descartes teaches French Curriculum, American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 17.
Curriculum
Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD) in Phnom Penh provides the French national curriculum from preschool through terminale, aligned with AEFE standards and supported by the French Embassy. Instruction is delivered primarily in French, with English and Khmer offered as language options and language learning placed at the heart of the program. Cycle 2 (grades 1–3) covers French and mathematics, adds English and the host-country language, plus arts, physical education and civic education. Cycle 3 (grades 4–6) continues consolidation and prepares for secondary education; in the lycée, the 10th grade introduces Economics and Social Sciences (SES) and Digital Sciences and Technology (SNT) with electives and a weekly hours framework around 26–30 hours. From Seconde (10th) to Terminale (12th), core subjects include French, history-geography, sciences and modern languages, with a range of electives in 11th grade and Philosophy becoming compulsory in Terminale; final results count toward the Baccalauréat, with pathways to the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) and a Section Internationale Américaine (SIA) available.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions
Admissions
Step 1. Pre-registration for new admissions is conducted online via the EDUKA platform. The pre-registration campaign for the 2025 02026 school year for children not currently enrolled at LFRD is closed. A strict list of criteria governs first-time enrollment due to high demand. Step 2. Enrollment decisions for new registrations are processed online via EDUKA, with selection based on the established criteria. The school is accredited by AEFE and follows official curricula. Step 3. Required documents for new admissions include a valid passport, an ID photo, and a vaccination record; expired documents are not accepted. Step 4. Re-enrollment is completed in EDUKA using the Re-enrollment tab; the 2025 02026 re-enrollment campaign is closed. Payments must be made by May 8, balances must be zero, and scholarship applicants may have post-results payment arrangements. Step 5. For assistance, contact the Admission office via email and phone.
Scholarships
Two scholarship campaigns are organized each year by the French Embassy in Cambodia, in January and September. Scholarships are awarded under conditions of resources and are available to French residents in the consular district enrolled in AEFE-homologated schools. For more information, refer to the school's scholarship details and contact the secretariat for guidance.
School Events
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FAQs
What curriculum does Lycée Français René Descartes follow?
Lycée Français René Descartes (LFRD) in Phnom Penh provides the French national curriculum from preschool through terminale, aligned with AEFE standards and supported by the French Embassy. Instruction is delivered primarily in French, with English and Khmer offered as language options and language
What age range does Lycée Français René Descartes serve?
Lycée Français René Descartes serves students from age 3 to 17.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual fees range from approximately 24225554 to 31611492.
How many students attend Lycée Français René Descartes?
Approximately 1150 students.
Where is Lycée Français René Descartes located?
The Lycée Français René Descartes is located at Rue Christopher Howes (Rue 96), Wat Phnom, BP 1132, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The campus sits in the Daun Penh district in central Phnom Penh, near the Wat Phnom area, with access to local transport such as
Does Lycée Français René Descartes have a religious affiliation?
Religious affiliation is not listed; the school operates as a secular French international school.
Does Lycée Français René Descartes offer learning support?
The LFRD uses an inclusion model to support students with special educational needs. For pupils with ‘besoins éducatifs particuliers,' the pedagogy teams work with three specialized teachers, a speech-language pathologist, and a school psychologist to develop an action plan and an adapted educationa
What languages are used for instruction?
Languages offered as reinforced pathways include English, Chinese, Khmer, and Spanish; Khmer language is strengthened through PLK, a tri-lingual path with French, Khmer, and English from cycle 4; The SIA (American Section) provides bilingual/bicultural studies; PARLE enables EMILE or DNL in various
What is the admissions process?
Step 1. Pre-registration for new admissions is conducted online via the EDUKA platform. The pre-registration campaign for the 2025 02026 school year for children not currently enrolled at LFRD is closed. A strict list of criteria governs first-time enrollment due to high demand. For information, con
What facilities does Lycée Français René Descartes have?
The campus was recently restructured with facilities that are well suited for preschool and elementary students. French is the primary language of instruction, with Khmer taught daily as part of linguistic pathways alongside English, Spanish, and Chinese. The library system includes a primary librar
What extracurricular activities are available?
Arts et Culture is a component of the pedagogy. Library resources are provided through Nos bibliothèques (BCD Primaire and CDI) to support arts and culture. Cultural activities are integrated into school life and reflected in ongoing programs such as Album de l'année.
Who leads Lycée Français René Descartes?
The school is led by Thierry JUNCA.
When was Lycée Français René Descartes established?
Lycée Français René Descartes was established in 1951.
Is Lycée Français René Descartes accredited?
The school is accredited by the French Ministry of National Education and is part of the AEFE network under an agreement with AEFE; it benefits from support from the French Embassy and collaboration with the Institut Français du Cambodge.
What is the school community like?
Since its founding in 1951, LFRD has embodied Franco-Cambodian friendship, with French as the primary language of instruction and Khmer taught daily as part of linguistic pathways that also enable lea
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