International schooling in South Korea includes different school types, campuses and admission routes. A family relocating to Seoul has a different search from a teenager considering boarding on Jeju. Start by identifying where the student will live and which educational pathway they want.
The examples below show some of those distinctions. They are not a ranking, and a familiar school name does not mean identical admissions or residential provision at every campus.
Korea International School: check the campus
KIS admissions criteria describe eligibility routes connected with a parent’s nationality, time spent overseas, previous schooling and qualifying transfers. The required evidence differs by route. Ask the admissions team how the published rules apply to your family before making plans around a place.
Korea International School Jeju is a separate campus option with a US college-preparatory programme and boarding starting in Grade 8. Its residential information describes evening study and community activities. Do not assume the Seoul-area and Jeju arrangements are interchangeable.
首尔德威奇学院
首尔德威奇学院 describes an English-medium British educational pathway leading through IGCSE to the IB Diploma. Its admissions information includes assessment of English for non-native speakers. Families should discuss both classroom readiness and the support available while a student settles in.
Compare the learning experience
Request the actual subject list for the intended year. A US programme with AP options and an IB Diploma programme offer different structures. Think about the student’s interests, their current coursework and how broad or specialised they want their final school years to be.
Ask how the school supports a mid-course transfer. Moving between systems can involve different assessment schedules or gaps in subject content. A conversation between the current and prospective schools helps identify a manageable route.
Language and local life
English-medium schooling can provide academic continuity while a child builds Korean. Ask how Korean appears in lessons and activities, and what opportunities students have to participate in local life. Home-language development may matter too, especially for a multilingual family expecting another move.
Describe language skills precisely. Speaking confidently with friends does not necessarily mean a student can immediately manage long essays or technical vocabulary. Good support begins with understanding the individual learner.
Fees, transport and accommodation
Ask for the current fee schedule and note whether charges are in Korean won, another currency or a combination. Add initial fees, lunch, buses, devices, examinations and activities. For boarding, include residence, travel, insurance and any accommodation needed during closures.
In the Seoul area, investigate the real commute and transport after clubs. For Jeju boarding, discuss airport transfers, weekend routines and visits home. These practical details have a direct effect on friendships, rest and participation.
Make the first enquiry useful
Provide the child’s age, current grade, nationality or relevant eligibility information, learning needs and proposed entry date. Ask which documents are needed before submitting a full application. Avoid treating another family’s experience as a guarantee of your own route.
Visit with the student and ask about an ordinary day. The best choice should help them enjoy learning and build confidence, not simply add a well-known school to a CV. For the next stage, explore universities in South Korea; for other residential options, see boarding in Japan.
Reviewed 25 October 2026. Follow the official school links for current entry-year details.