Seoul Foreign School is a Pre-K/Reception to Grade 12 international school located in Seoul, South Korea. The school was founded in 1912 by Christian missionaries to Korea[1] and emphasizes Christian values. The Elementary, Middle and High Schools offer an international curriculum within the International Baccalaureate framework of PYP, MYP and DP. The High School offers the IB Diploma Programme. The British School offers the English National Curriculum - Key Stages 1–3. Seoul Foreign School has been located in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, since 1959.
Seoul Foreign School was founded in 1912, by Christian missionaries to Korea (Ethel Van Wagoner Underwood), with one class of 18 students.[2] The school started in 1912 with 7 teachers and currently has over 1,500 students from more than 50 countries, offering education from PK to high school. It is differentiated from other international schools by offering not only kindergarten, primary, middle, and high school courses but also the British curriculum IGCSE. With a prestigious history spanning over 100 years, the admissions requirements are stringent.
To apply to SFS, students must have a foreign nationality. If both parents have foreign nationalities, the student meets the top-tier eligibility requirements. Furthermore, tuition fees are at a level of 30-40 million won per year, equivalent to college tuition fees. The school offers many after-school programs like KAIAC and SWEP, and hosts diverse events.
SFS was initially established in 1912 under the Korean name Kyungsung Foreign School. The inaugural principal was Edel Underwood, the wife of H.H. Underwood, known in Korea as Won Han-kyung. The school's name changed to 'Seoul Foreign School' in 1964.
The first principal and teacher, as mentioned above, was Edel Underwood, a member of the Underwood family, who founded Yeonhee Professional School, the precursor to Yonsei University. After relocating its premises in Seoul five times, the school settled in its current location next to Yonsei University in Yeonhui-dong in 1957. In 1981, it merged with the 'British School' attended by the children of British expatriates. Boasting a spacious campus of 100,000m2 and a long history, it is the most preferred school among foreigners in Korea.
SFS students learn through debates and presentations and are assessed through essay-type exams that ask for their opinions. Forty years ago, they were the first in Korea to adopt the 'International Baccalaureate (IB)' curriculum, created by a Swiss international organization, rather than adhering to a specific national educational curriculum.[3]
In 2023, it is one of the oldest international schools in the world, and the oldest British international school in Korea and the first in South Korea to offer the IB Diploma.[4]
Divisions
British School Principal: Andrew Freeman Assistant Principal: John Kett
The British School (SFBS) offers a curriculum based around the English National Curriculum spanning from Reception to Year 9. It is a member of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) and students participate in sports, maths and other activities alongside other member schools. There are students from over 45 nationalities at the school.
Elementary School Principal: Damian Prest Assistant Principal: Brian Webb
The elementary school (SFES) offers an international curriculum based within the IB PYP framework. Grade levels include Pre-K2 to Grade 5. The school is a four-form entry starting in Grade 1. School uniforms were introduced to SFES in the school year 2008-2009. The Seoul Foreign Elementary School offers specialist classes such as Music, World Language (Korean, Chinese), STEM, Library, Art, PE and PSE. The Pedagogical Leadership Team consists of the two principals, PYP Coordinator, Literacy Coach, Student Support Team Coordinator and Leader-in-Training. A new building was completed for the 2008-2009 school year and includes a cafeteria, 400-seat performance hall, media center/library, upgraded classrooms, and a spirit store. In the fall of 2011, a 1-to-1 laptop program was instituted in Grades 4 & 5.
Middle School Principal: Justin Smith Assistant Principal: Matthew Johnson
The Middle School is located in its own building built in 1988. There are five foreign language tracks offered: Spanish, French, Mandarin, Korean (for non-native speakers) and heritage Korean (for native Korean speakers). The music program is especially strong, with multiple levels of course offerings in choir, band and strings orchestra. Every student also takes Christian Studies, an academic course that introduces students to the foundational ideas of the Christian faith from a non-denominational perspective. Students who are interested in exploring their faith on a personal level may participate in a vibrant after-school discipleship program. All students take Physical Health Education. Students take Physical Education in multiple facilities in the school, such as the tennis courts, the swimming pool, etcetera. All SFMS students are able to participate in a variety of after-school sports and activities. Some examples are math club, soccer team, or cooking class. SFMS belongs to the Korean American Interscholastic Activities Conference (KAIAC), allowing for competition and collaboration with other schools in sports and the arts.
High School Principal: Nancy Le Nezet Assistant Principal: Kelly Gilmore
All students from kindergarten through 8th grade/Year 9 take music classes. The school offers a band, choir and orchestra program as well as IB DP music. The Middle School/KS3 have four bands: Beginner Band, Intermediate Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band. Both the Middle School Symphonic Band and the High School Wind Ensemble have won numerous awards and acknowledgements in the field. The Middle School Symphonic Band won a platinum award [highest ranking award] on a nationwide competition in 2015.[5]
Performing arts facilities
The Lyso Center for Performing Arts was constructed in 2004. It includes large rehearsal rooms for band, choir and orchestra, as well as ensemble and individual practice rooms. There is also a keyboard/composition lab. The main theater seats over 700 people, has a hydraulic orchestra pit, a turn table, and a removable large Wenger acoustical sell. There is also a Black Box theater with flexible seating up to 200 people. Robb Hall is a mid-size theater and has seating for 450 people.
Athletic facilities
Seoul Foreign School has an indoor sports complex which houses two gyms, each with several basketball courts, indoor volleyball courts, as well as one weight training/fitness room. Also, located outside are two more basketball courts (next to the soccer field). More basketball courts can also be found on the British school playground. There is an artificial turf football (soccer) field, a sandpit for long jump, and a running track. There is also an indoor pool with two tennis courts situated above it. Two more tennis courts are situated adjacent to the British school playground. There is also a gymnastics room for various uses ranging from acrobatics workout to ballet practice. An additional four tennis courts are located on the roof of the cafeteria.
Extracurricular activities
Seoul Foreign School supports a number of activities. At the HS level, an academic activity is the AMC (American Math Competition) competition with three levels of competition: 8th grade, 10th grade, and 12th grade. SFS High School has an active Model United Nations activity with weekly meetings and two meets annually (one in Seoul and the other in Beijing.) A Speech and Debate team also represents SFS with forensic meets with local and area schools. There are a number of choral, instrumental (band, orchestra, and jazz band), drama, and musical productions throughout the years. High school students are also able to participate in Habitat for Humanity, both national and international builds, and the National Honor Society. As for sports, Seoul Foreign School is part of the Korean American Interscholastic Activities Conference (KAIAC) and the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC). The fall sports for high school are tennis, volleyball, cross country. Cross country and volleyball both have Varsity and Junior Varsity teams for both genders, whereas there is only one co-ed Varsity team for tennis. Winter sports are basketball and cheerleading, both of which have Varsity as well as JV teams. Soccer and swimming are both spring sports, and they both have only Varsity teams.
SFS Middle School participates in an area Spelling Bee, KMO and other clubs. There are also sports and other after-school activities, such as the Jazz Band/Ensemble, chess club, instrumental private lessons. Film club is also a popular club that meets on Mondays to create films and at the end of the year, hosts a film festival with all of the profit going to GIN (Global Issues Network). Additional activities are sponsored by each division's "Senate", or Student Council. These activities include dances, swims and various other events throughout the school year. The Boys Varsity Soccer Team is known for their multiple wins in the two competitions the team participates in: KAIAC and APAC.
The 2010-2011 Girls Varsity Soccer Team of Seoul Foreign School won the All-Girls APAC Super Tournament hosted by Shanghai American School Pudong, beating 12 other teams, undefeated.
Christian emphasis
SFS seeks to model Christianity through the hiring of exceptional and experienced educators who are also practicing Christians.[6] The influence of Christianity originated in 1912 when missionaries first founded the school and continue today. The school is not affiliated with a particular denomination or church, nor are students required to come from religious backgrounds. Students from Grade 6-12 are required to take a mandatory Christian Studies course regardless of their religious backgrounds.
Notable alumni
Ken Jennings: holds the record for the longest winning streak in the U.S. syndicated game show Jeopardy![7]
Ien Chi: Korean American filmmaker, 2011 winner of the Best Director and Best Picture awards at the world's largest student film festival: Campus MovieFest[8]
Yoon Ha Lee: American Science Fiction and fantasy writer.
Joseph Rhee: Producer for ABC News, 2019 Emmy recipient winner for News and Documentary.
Kodaikanal International School (KIS) is a co-educational independent residential school offering education for grades P-12. It is located on 43 acres (0.17 km2) in Kodaikanal, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India. Kodaikanal is a hill station at 2,133 m (6,998 ft) in the Palani Hills, 121 kilometres (75 mi) northwest of Madurai.
Copenhagen International School (CIS) is an international, co-educational day school located in the Copenhagen metropolitan area, Denmark. It has around 930 students of over 80 nationalities. English is the primary language of instruction. CIS offers an educational program from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The school year comprises four quarters, from mid-August through mid-June. Copenhagen International School is designed by C.F. Møller Architects.
International High School of San Francisco, is a private co-educational high school in Hayes Valley, San Francisco, California, U.S.. Graduates earn either the International Baccalaureate ("IB") or the French Baccalaureate. The IB curriculum is primarily taught in English, while the French Bac is primarily taught in French.
The United Nations International School of Hanoi is an international school in Hanoi, Vietnam. It is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1988 with the support of the United Nations Development Programme in Vietnam (UNDP) with the aim of providing an education to the children of UN staff and others.
Concordia Preparatory School (CPS) is a co-educational parochial secondary school serving grades 6-12. Originally known as Baltimore Lutheran School, the school is located in Towson, Maryland, United States. CPS is operated by the Baltimore Lutheran High School Association, Inc., an association of Lutheran churches in the Baltimore area.
Westlake Academy (WA) is an open-enrollment charter school in the United States state of Texas, operating under the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
The American International School, Abu Dhabi is a private international K-12 school offering an American curriculum. The college-preparatory IB Diploma Program (IBDP) is offered in grades 11 and 12, and the IB Primary Years Program (IBPYP) is offered from KG to Grade 5. The school is coeducational in elementary, and gender-segregated in secondary.
The International School of Düsseldorf e.V. (ISD) is a nonprofit, independent, coeducational day school located in Kaiserswerth, Germany, a historic suburb of Düsseldorf. (A)ISD was founded in 1968 as the American International School of Düsseldorf, an English language school to meet the needs of non-military expatriate families. In 1977, it became the 65th school worldwide authorized to award the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. In 1986, the school changed its name to the International School of Düsseldorf.
The Schutz American School is an independent, coeducational day school which offers an educational program from prekindergarten through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The school is located in Alexandria, Egypt. It is the oldest American school in Africa, founded in 1924. The school year comprises two semesters extending from late August through mid-June.
Tashkent International School (TIS), an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, is an independent, non-profit, coeducational day school from preschool through grade 12 located in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan in Central Asia. TIS was founded in 1994 to provide quality education in English for children of the diplomatic corps, international corporations and local families.
Beijing City International School (BCIS) is an independent co-educational not-for-profit day school offering an international curriculum for toddler to twelfth grade students.
The Canadian International School of Beijing is a Canadian international school in Chaoyang District, Beijing.
Asia Pacific International School is a private, non-profit K-12 school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). APIS has a global network of campuses under one school — East Asia campus in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, and campus of the West in North Shore, Hauʻula, Hawaii.
Chadwick International is a PK-12, coeducational, nonsectarian, non-profit, independent, international day school located in the Songdo International City, Republic of Korea. The curriculum is based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and received PYP, MYP, DP, and CP accreditations. It is currently run by the Roessler-Chadwick Foundation and is named after Chadwick School in Palos Verdes, California, United States. The school has three divisions, which are the Village School (PK-G5), the Middle School (G6-8), and the Upper School (G9-12).
Qingdao Amerasia International School (QAIS) is a private, non-profit international school located in Qingdao, China, offering Montessori education from ages 1.5-5 and an inquiry-based curriculum up to age 18. QAIS has over 200 enrolled students representing 25 countries. Qingdao Amerasia International School is an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the full IB Continuum: the IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme, and IB Diploma Programme. Its Montessori Toddler and Montessori Early Childhood Programs are the only programs in Asia to be accredited by the American Montessori Society.
Xi’an Hanova International School is an international school established in Xi'an, China in 2012.
Global Christian Foreign School is a private, international K-12 school in Seoul, South Korea that was founded in 1996. It is affiliated with College Board, Association of Christian Schools International, and the Council of International School Administration in Korea. It is currently accredited by the Korean Ministry of Education. The school is currently located in the Yongsan District , specifically in Hannam-dong (한남동) across from the Hannam The Hills apartment complex in the UN Village vicinity.
Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS) is a kindergarten (age 5) to 12th grade college-preparatory private international school, operated under a joint agreement between the Korea Foreign Schools Foundation and the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS). It is accredited by WASC and ACSI. The school offers both secular and faith-based instructional tracks drawn from the American and standards-based instructional models, as well as a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses at the high school level
Korea Foreign School (KFS) is a non-profit private coeducational day-school in the Gangnam Area of Seoul, South Korea. KFS is established and operated under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Korea Foreign School educates children from grade 1 through grade 10.
Taejon Christian International School (TCIS) is a Pre-K to Grade 12 international school located in an area known as Techno Valley, a neighborhood in the northern part of Daejeon, South Korea. TCIS is a Three-Programme IB World School and provides boarding care through on-campus dormitory facilities. The school accepts foreign families living locally for work, families living abroad and looking for education in Korea, and local Korean families with connections to foreign culture and education abroad. Taejon Christian International School also plays a partnership role in globalization efforts in the city of Daejeon.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
