What We Do
Transforming lives through education
Our mission
Since 2004, The Cambodia Academy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization has grown to provide education and hope to more than 375 students a year in grades 1-9 in Banteay Meanchey province. The school serves as a lifeline to children whose parents cannot afford to send them to school, and the quality bilingual education they receive gives them real hope of improving their lives and improving their circumstances for themselves and their families.
The approach of The Cambodia Academy engages in three fundamental areas that can change a child’s life from one of poverty and despair to one of opportunity and hope.
We provide a completely cost-free education
We provide full tuition, uniforms, supplies, and bus service for more than 375 students in grades 1-9. Unlike government schools that only provide four hours of instruction per day, our school day runs from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and students remain on campus all day. Morning classes are taught in English and afternoon classes are taught in Khmer. We provide a variety of extracurricular opportunities such as field trips to practice English, an end-of-term study trip to Angkor Wat for grade 9, a Khmer New Year celebration, and other events throughout the year.
We provide critical nutritional support
As a function of our full-day school schedule, we ensure that our students receive two meals a day, completely free of charge. We serve more than 140,000 meals per year, and it's our second largest expense after staff salaries. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, around 45% of Cambodians live in moderate or severe food insecurity, a situation that is pronounced in rural areas. Hungry kids can't learn, so we make sure they receive healthy, balanced meals.
We emphasize English and provide IT skills
We place a strong emphasis on English and IT because these skills are essential to future opportunity in a rapidly developing Cambodia. In addition to the national curriculum, our students receive extensive English instruction designed to build confidence in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension. Through the combined efforts of our skilled Khmer faculty and foreign volunteers, students are exposed to practical English that prepares them not only for academic success, but also for future employment or higher education.
We also recognize that digital literacy is increasingly important for the next generation. The Academy has a dedicated IT teacher, a computer lab with 35 desktop computers, and structured instruction that helps students build practical technology skills from an early age. These tools give students valuable experience with computers and digital learning that many children in rural Cambodia would not otherwise have access to.
To further support learning, we continue to expand our library, which now includes more than 500 books and 11 iPads. Together, these resources help create a richer educational environment that encourages curiosity, independent learning, and academic growth. By strengthening English, technology, and literacy at the same time, we are helping students build the skills they need to create better futures for themselves.
