An international school in South Korea is a good alternative for expats who wish to keep their children in an international education system while living and working abroad.
Generally, international schools are of a high teaching quality and the price is accordingly, more expensive than a Korean school. Private international elementary school fees start at around 5,000 EUR a year, increasing to about 6,500 EUR for high school, in addition to an entrance fee of about 1,000 EUR.
Admission requirements
For admission to one of South Korea’s international schools, foreign students will usually need to provide the following:
- Completed application form (provided by the international school)
- Proof of eligibility to attend a foreign school in Korea
- Copies of relevant forms from schools attended over the past two years. (If the forms are in any language other than English, a translated version is required.)
- Letter of recommendation from a recent teacher
- Photocopy of the main passport page
- Most recent test results (normally English, maths and science) for 2nd-9th grade students only.
- Two full pages of original written work (in English) from recent school assignments with a verification signature of a formal school representative.
- Two recent mathematics assignments or tests results
- Medical forms
- Application and registration fees
Some international schools also require an admission test for 1st-9th grade students. The admission test includes an interview, reading, writing and math tests.
Most international schools accept applications throughout the year, however, the system works according to a “first come, first serve” principle (among other criteria). The best option is to apply as early as possible before the school year starts. The British, European and American systems have different schedules, make sure to check the relevant term dates before applying.
Choosing an international school
Choosing an international school for your children is never an easy decision. When making the decision to send your kids to an international institution in a different country, there are some important factors to take into account: The English level of your child, the grade level, the education system in your original country, the level of studies, school’s location and the duration of staying. This factors may vary from one expat to another and influence the choice of international school.
The following is a list of some of the top international schools in South Korea:
Korea International School - This institute is an elite K-12 school with a new 45-million dollar campus near Seoul.
Seoul International School - Accredited by the Western Association of Schools of Colleges (WASC), the school provides a challenging American curriculum to its students, and boasts state-of-the-art facilities.
Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS) - Conveniently located in the center of Seoul, YISS is a diverse, K-12 community of more than 960 students, from more than 50 countries. YISS is fully accredited by WASC and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Seoul Foreign School - The school now operates as a K-12 international school with roughly 1,500 students from 52 different countries. The Seoul Foreign School offers its students 25 acres of top-quality facilities.
Taejon Christian International School - This is now a K-12 school with approximately 600 students. Located next to a major area for scientific research in Korea, school’s facilities include a state-of-the-art high school building with high-speed wireless Internet access.
Dulwich College Seoul - British school situated in the centrally located Seocho District. 650 students from the Nursery to Year 13 age groups (ages 3 to 18 years).