Secondary education in South Korea for international students

South Korea, known for its robust educational system, offers a comprehensive approach to primary and secondary education. This system has gained popularity due to its emphasis on discipline and academic rigor, setting the stage for successful university admissions.

Primary Schools in South Korea

Primary education caters to children aged 6 to 12 years old. Studying lasts for six years. The educational process stipulates studying of:

• Korean language

• Mathematics

• Sciences

• Social sciences

• English (starting from the third year)

• Fine arts and music

While studying in primary schools, a single teacher conducts educating of all subjects in a consistent classroom environment. Progression to the next grade is based on age rather than academic performance.

Esther Diaz

Education specialist, career coach and consultant. She worked for Inspired Education Group and directed the admissions department at the International School san Patricio Toledo.

What would you say is the most important when choosing a school?

This is the quality of support and work of the management, the opportunity to study at IB, the prestige of the school and the percentage of successful completion of the diploma stage of IB, recommendations for further universities. It is worth considering the national "recruitment" of campus students, opportunities for extracurricular development and activities, the availability of medical services and consultations, opportunities for language immersion. Is education at the chosen school based on the values you share? Is the school a close-knit community? Is academic support good?

Students aged from 12 to 15 years old pursue education in secondary school. This period of studying durates three years. Here, different disciplines are taught by specialized teachers. The secondary schools make an emphasis on discipline, including uniform and hairstyle regulations. 

Although grades don’t impact progression to the next grade, performing well in the final year is crucial for exam preparation, allowing students to enter prestigious educational institutions. Post-middle school, students typically choose between high school and vocational school, where they can obtain a practical specialty in 2-3 years.

Nearly 98% of Korean students attend high school. This optional educational level, spanning three years for students aged 15-19, offers specialized programs in science, languages, and arts. The curriculum is intensive, often including up to 11 subjects. Students spend significant time on self-study, preparing for the final Korean exam, analogous to the SAT, covering Korean, Math, and English. This exam is a pivotal event in a Korean student's life, as university admission largely depends on its results.

The average cost at international schools is approximately 14,200 USD per academic year. Foreign students can also attend regular Korean schools, but education is primarily conducted in Korean.

• Korean institutions are among the world's leading institutions with rigorous, selective, and advanced academic programs.
• The faculty at top Korean institutions includes distinguished professors who have earned doctorates from the most renowned American or European universities (Ivy League, Oxford, Cambridge, MIT).
• Variety of options and programs, different academic events and promotions are organized every semester.
• Beautiful and state-of-the-art campuses: thanks to continuous investment by private organizations and the Korean government, Korean school facilities are world-class, often with beautiful architecture.
• Global experience: Students will make friends from all over the world.
• Safety: Korea is one of the safest countries in the world with one of the lowest crime rates.
• Career prospects: a certificate from local institutions will open up many opportunities to build a future career.

It is also known as Chodeung Hagyo (초등학교). It lasts for 6 years and is a compulsory level - children enter this stage from the age of 5 or 6 and study until they are 11 or 12. The vast majority of these organizations are free, although there are some that charge fees. To enroll, the authorities send a letter to the child's parents with information about the school the child should attend. The main primary subjects are writing, reading, English, math, science, ethics, sports, music, drawing and social studies.

Godeung Haggyo (고등학교), or high school, is also 3 years long. At this level, attendance is no longer compulsory, but the vast majority of students enroll. While this stage is no longer free, there are grants for low-income families. It should be noted that teens have other options, such as institutions with specializations that often require an exam for admission.

At this level, students often feel a lot of pressure and stress as they must prepare to fulfill all the necessary requirements for admission to a prestigious university.

Studying at high school is aimed at graduating students with good character and competencies. Also the educational process allows students to improve their ability to understand and form sound judgments on social and political issues. From the second year of high school, students study compulsory subjects and electives according to their interests and goals. They choose disciplines from 4 various subject areas, which include humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and vocational studies.

Foreign students are provided with the opportunity to enter specialized schools which make an emphasis on specific areas, namely foreign languages, science and physical education.

Co-educational schools

In 1996, only about 5% of schools were co-educational, but their share has grown by 10% since then. However, classes in many co-educational schools are still segregated by gender. The educational process is standardized, so now both boys and girls take courses in technology and home economics.

Academic and vocational high schools in South Korea

Educational institutions are classified into academic and vocational high schools. According to statistics, more than half of the students still attend academic high schools, making an emphasis on academic performance.

Also foreign students can enter educational institutions, which make an emphasis on sports, science, arts, or foreign languages.

The vocational institutions are aimed at employment and gaining experience by students.

Elite high schools in South Korea

Some institutions are designated as autonomous given the type of program they can offer. By entering such schools, foreign students can take pre-university preparation courses. Upon completing studies, students can enter the top universities located in South Korea, the USA, and Europe.

International schools

International schools are designed for foreign children who are required to adapt more easily and quickly to new language and academic environments. Given full immersion in a new environment, students gain a sense of community. Also local students decide on pursuing education in international school, as they have the opportunity to improve their foreign language skills (in most cases, English).

This type of school conducts teaching according to an American or British studying program. International schools are located mostly in Seoul, however, in other regions they also function. 

Besides American, British and religious schools, South Korea is a home to Japanese, German, French and Chinese educational institutions.

To obtain secondary education in South Korea, foreign students should enter public or private schools. Prices in public institutions significantly range, which is stipulated by the quality of education and the curriculum you have chosen: it can be from 1 million won ($850) to 10 or 15 million won ($8,550-12,850) per month.

Private schools are considered prestigious: besides the package of necessary documents, children are required to take an entrance exam, write a motivation letter and pass an interview. Such schools are significantly more expensive (from 10 000$/year).

Popular extracurricular activities:

Sports

As for team sports which may include basketball or soccer, participation in a competitive team is quite expensive - playing sports in Korea usually involves a lot of spending. However, the programs offered at local youth centers are very affordable. Usually high schools offer sports clubs for soccer, running, athletics and swimming.

Music

Koreans love music, so there are wide opportunities for playing a musical instrument. If you want to have extra lessons to play an instrument, you can experience with a private teacher. A great option for teens is to participate in a neighborhood youth orchestra. 

Art

South Korea is a home to many art academies. Classes for teenagers are usually more intense.

Educational process is aimed at developing basic habits, abilities and moral qualities through a full range of studying activities.Each discipline is learned systematically. In particular, institutions may provide supplementary lessons for students facing a lack of basic knowledge of Korean language and math.

Korean schools may adjust the number of instructional hours up to 20% for each discipline according to school conditions, requirements and needs of students, teachers and parents. However, the teaching hours given to physical education and art (music/art) should not be reduced.

If necessary, intensive courses may be offered during the semester or year to enhance learning.

Schools may selectively organize and implement creative experiential activities, focusing on diverse areas in different grades (or clusters of grades), taking into account the developmental level of students, school conditions, and other factors.

To enter secondary schools, it is necessary to prepare the following documents:

• A completed and signed application form,

• Confirmation of overseas residency (3 years of residence outside of Korea in accordance with Korean law),

• Academic performance reports for the past three years,

• Psychological testing results and any intelligence report received,

• Three letters of recommendation from a previous school,

• Records and medical history (medical records),

• Passport and alien registration card (parent and student),

• Individual screening.

Sometimes, private schools require to provide additional documents, which may include a school activity report, portfolio of achievements, and a personal description.