The Best International Schools in South Korea

Published on January 17, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

South Korea has established itself as one of the most educated countries in the world, and this obsession with academic success is also reflected in its offering of international schools. In Seoul, Busan, on Jeju Island, or in the new international cities of Incheon, these institutions welcome the children of expatriates as well as a Korean elite willing to invest heavily in a globalized education, often in English. Understanding this unique landscape is essential for choosing the best international schools in South Korea and avoiding unpleasant surprises.

How the International School System Works in South Korea

Before even comparing schools, it’s necessary to understand the official categories defined by the Korean government. They are not mere administrative nuances: they determine who can enroll, the recognition of the diploma, and sometimes access to Korean universities.

Alongside these, International Schools (gukje hakgyo) operate with much more flexibility. They have no legal nationality quota and often enroll a significant, even majority, proportion of Koreans. The big difference, crucial for families, is that these institutions can also allow students to obtain a Korean diploma, provided they complete a minimum number of credits aligned with the national curriculum. In this case, students can apply to Korean universities like any local high school student.

Finally, hagwons, those ubiquitous private academies, also exist in an English-language version. Some present themselves as “international schools,” offer full-day programs, and sometimes possess foreign accreditations. Legally, they remain private institutes not recognized as primary or secondary schools by the Korean state. Parents sometimes have to declare a homeschooling status for their children enrolled full-time. This is where maximum vigilance is required: the gap is immense between a serious, accredited hagwon and a structure lacking proper resources or educational supervision.

Accreditations: An Essential Filter to Distinguish Good Schools

In such a competitive environment, one of the best indicators of quality remains international accreditation. Several organizations serve as references, especially for expatriate families considering higher education in North America or Europe.

Other labels play a key role. The Council of International Schools (CIS), for example, accredits over 530 schools worldwide. Several major schools in South Korea are members or accredited, like Dulwich College Seoul or KIS (in the process of full accreditation). The Middle States Association (MSA-CESS), Cognia, the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), or the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) complete this landscape, notably for faith-based schools like Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS).

For parents, the challenge is twofold: to filter out truly serious institutions and to verify that the diploma will indeed open the doors to the targeted universities. In a market where some organizations grant “accreditations” more for payment than for meeting requirements, it is important to prioritize globally recognized bodies mentioned by major universities.

The Major Geographic Hubs: Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Jeju

The majority of the best international schools in South Korea are concentrated in a few key regions. Seoul and its greater suburbs (Gyeonggi-do, Incheon) clearly dominate, but other hubs are strengthening, notably Busan in the southeast and Jeju Island, where the government has created a true international education cluster.

Incheon, with Songdo and Cheongna, has positioned itself as a new international city, hosting big names like Chadwick International or Cheongna Dalton School. Busan, the country’s second metropolis, currently offers a more limited but well-structured selection, notably around Busan Foreign School and the International School of Busan. Finally, Jeju Island has transformed into a global education laboratory with the Jeju Global Education City, where several high-level foreign boarding schools coexist.

Table 1 – Geographic Distribution of Some Major International Schools

Region	Examples of Leading Schools	Dominant Profile
Seoul / Gyeonggi	Seoul Foreign School (SFS), SIS, KIS, Dulwich, Dwight, YISS	IB, British, American, Christian, Co-ed
Incheon / Songdo	Chadwick International, Cheongna Dalton School	IB, American, strong Korean population
Busan	Busan Foreign School, International School of Busan	American, IB, small size, Ages 3–18
Jeju	KIS Jeju, Branksome Hall Asia, NLCS Jeju, St. Johnsbury Jeju	Boarding, IB or British, highly selective
Other cities	Daegu International School, Gyeongnam IFS, Hyundai FS	More limited but strategic offering (industry)

A Closer Look at Some Reference Schools

It is impossible to provide an exhaustive list given the dense offerings, but certain schools consistently come up in discussions among parents, teachers, and alumni when discussing the best international schools in South Korea.

Seoul Foreign School (SFS): The Historical Reference

Founded in 1912, Seoul Foreign School is one of the oldest international schools in the world and the oldest British school in Korea. Located on a vast 26-acre campus in Seodaemun-gu, it combines a long academic tradition with a very broad curricular offering.

SFS has been an IB World School for the Diploma Programme since the 1980s and now offers the full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP), while also offering the English National Curriculum and IGCSE exams. In the final years of high school, a student can thus aim for an IB diploma or an American diploma, making it one of the most flexible pathways in the country.

The tuition fees reflect this high-end positioning: for the recent reference year, they ranged from around 36 to over 50 million won per year depending on the level. At this price point, families expect modern campuses, reasonably sized classes, a high proportion of experienced teachers, and a very active alumni network—criteria that SFS largely meets.

Seoul International School (SIS): The Ultra-Structured AP Option

Established in 1973, Seoul International School, based in Seongnam on the southern outskirts of Seoul, is another highly respected institution. The school follows a college-prep American curriculum, with a marked emphasis on Advanced Placement. The high school offers 24 AP courses as well as the prestigious AP Capstone program (AP Seminar + AP Research), allowing the most motivated students to stand out in admissions to American or Canadian universities.

Tuition fees are, depending on the level, between approximately 30 and 38 million won per year, often supplemented by a portion in US dollars. Additional costs (bus, textbooks, deposit, application fees) can add 10 to 30% to the overall budget.

Korea International School (KIS) and KIS Jeju: The American Way, Korean Version

Korea International School is a private, non-religious network founded in 2000, with campuses in Pangyo (near Seoul), southern Seoul, and Jeju. The curriculum is American, from kindergarten through 12th grade, and the school is WASC accredited. KIS Pangyo is recognized as a foreign school by the Gyeonggi Office of Education.

The main campus offers classes of about twenty students, a wide choice of languages (Korean, Spanish, Mandarin, French depending on levels), an academic calendar aligned with the North American model (mid-August to mid-June), and a vast program of extracurricular activities, from 3:15 pm to 5 pm for older students. Students benefit from school transportation, a very international environment with a strong Korean presence, and an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program based on availability.

KISJ has obtained a full six-year accreditation from WASC, is recognized by the Korean Ministry of Education, and boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 7:1, with a majority of North American teachers holding an advanced degree.

Busan Foreign School (BFS) and International School of Busan (ISB): The Southeast Duo

For families based in Busan, two schools clearly stand out.

Busan Foreign School is the only institution explicitly described as an American school in the city. Accredited by WASC, it enrolls students aged 3 to 18, from Pre-K to 12th grade, with an American curriculum and AP courses. Its community of about 200 students is marked by great diversity (over twenty nationalities), a family-like atmosphere, and relatively small classes (average size around 14 students). The communicated figures are telling: 99.8% of graduates pursue higher education, 97% of students score at least a 3 on their AP exams.

International School of Busan, founded in 1983, is oriented towards the IB and accredited as an IB World School. It also enrolls students aged 3–18, on a campus of about thirty thousand square meters, with the stated goal of training creative and digitally competent leaders, sensitive to sustainable development. The school offers the full IB continuum, making it particularly suitable for students already engaged in this program in another country.

Dulwich College Seoul and Dwight School Seoul: The IB-British Axis in the Heart of the Capital

Dulwich College Seoul, opened in 2010, is part of the Dulwich network present in Asia. Based in Seocho-gu, it follows the English National Curriculum, prepares for IGCSE and then the IB Diploma, and is accredited by CIS and WASC. With over 700 students from more than 40 nationalities, the school clearly targets a global audience. Its facilities are very comprehensive: a 25m pool, sports fields, theater, black box, laboratories, art studios, outdoor ropes course. Tuition fees are at the high end of the spectrum: nearly 39 to 41.5 million won per year.

Branksome Hall Asia and North London Collegiate School Jeju: The Boarding School Version on Jeju Island

On Jeju Island, the government has bet on a model of boarding schools affiliated with major foreign institutions. Branksome Hall Asia, sister to the Canadian school of the same name in Toronto, is a girls’ boarding school offering the IB from kindergarten through high school. North London Collegiate School Jeju (NLCS Jeju) transplants the British academic tradition of one of the UK’s most prestigious high schools.

These schools combine impressive facilities, a privileged natural environment at the foot of Mount Halla, and high selectivity. They attract both expatriate children and wealthy Korean families seeking an alternative to the local system, often with the prospect of studies in the UK, Canada, or the United States.

IB, AP, Cambridge: How to Navigate the Programs

The best international schools in South Korea are also distinguished by their choice of curriculum. Overall, three major families dominate: the International Baccalaureate (IB), American programs (AP), and British programs (IGCSE/A-Level or equivalents).

American schools focus more on Advanced Placement (AP), a College Board program that allows high school students to take college-level courses. Institutions like SIS, KIS, KIS Jeju, or BFS offer a wide range of APs, sometimes up to 18–24 courses, with the possibility of pursuing the AP Capstone Diploma. The advantage: strong recognition by North American universities, enhancement of the academic profile, and often credit equivalencies upon entry.

Table 2 – Main Curriculum Formats in Some Major Schools

School	Main Curriculum	Possible Final Diplomas
Seoul Foreign School	English National Curriculum + IB	IGCSE, IB Diploma, American diploma
Seoul International School	American college-prep + AP	American diploma, AP, AP Capstone
Korea International School	American + AP	American diploma, AP
KIS Jeju	American + AP + AP Capstone	American diploma, Korean diploma (for nationals), AP
Dulwich College Seoul	English National Curriculum + IGCSE + IB	IGCSE, IB Diploma
Dwight School Seoul	IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP)	IB Diploma
Busan Foreign School	American + AP	American diploma, AP
International School of Busan	IB continuum	IB Diploma
Branksome Hall Asia / NLCS Jeju	IB or British (depending on school)	IB Diploma, British diplomas

How Much Do the Best International Schools in South Korea Really Cost?

Enrolling in an international school in South Korea represents a significant investment. Annual fees are generally between 20 and 35 million won, with peaks above 40 or even 50 million for some highly reputed IB schools. Added to this are often fees in US dollars to fund textbooks, external programs, or partnerships.

Concrete examples give a more precise idea. As an indication, the ranges noted in recent documents show:

To these amounts are almost always added:

– a non-refundable application fee (often 300,000 to 500,000 won),

– an initial enrollment fee (sometimes 4 million won or more),

– a textbook deposit, refundable under certain conditions,

– school bus fees (often between 2.5 and 3.5 million won per year),

– cafeteria, uniform (sometimes only for sports), technology, external exam (Cambridge, AP, IB), school trip, or sports competition fees.

Table 3 – Order of Magnitude of Fees in Some Emblematic Schools

School	Indicative Annual Range (excluding extras)	Billing Particularities
Seoul Foreign School	~36 to 50 M KRW	Part in KRW + part in USD
Seoul International School	~30 to 38 M KRW (KRW + USD)	Numerous APs, highly structured fees
Korea International School	~31 to 42 M KRW (KRW + USD)	Bus fees differentiated by zone
Dulwich College Seoul	~39 to 41.5 M KRW	IB + IGCSE, very comprehensive facilities
Dwight School Seoul	~26.5 to 34.3 M KRW	IB continuum, all in KRW
Busan Foreign School	~high range but slightly lower than Seoul	Small school size
KIS Jeju (excluding boarding)	Fees combining KRW + USD by level	Boarding additional (over 7–8 M KRW/year)

Some schools, like Korea Foreign School or Korea Kent Foreign School, adopt a detailed fee structure, with ELL (English Language Learners) fees, learning support fees, or Cambridge or IB exam fees. Many also offer sibling discounts, on the order of 5 to 15% on tuition for the second child and subsequent ones.

What is an International School Really Worth for Students’ Futures?

For many parents, the real question is not so much the advertised price but the return on investment academically and personally. On this point, several themes emerge.

On one hand, global studies and data on the IB show clear benefits: students trained in this system perform better in university, with higher graduation rates and GPAs than their non-IB peers. They develop sought-after skills by universities—critical thinking, autonomy, research ability, civic engagement. In fact, many North American institutions grant university credits to holders of the IB Diploma or a certain number of successful AP exams.

International schools that seriously adopt the IB or enrich their pathways with a wide range of AP courses therefore offer a particularly stimulating environment for curious children, ready to commit to long-term projects (4,000-word essay, research projects, CAS, etc.).

An emblematic case cited in the literature is that of a Korean student who scored 42/45 on the IB diploma, rejected by the most prestigious universities in the country, but accepted with a scholarship to a top 20 global university. This type of story illustrates the dilemma well: an international school can be a powerful springboard for studies abroad, but remains out of sync with a domestic system centered on the Suneung. Korean universities officially recognize the IB for students who have done all their high school abroad, but the creation of specific admission tracks for domestic IB students remains limited and largely depends on future regulatory changes.

Beyond Classes: Activities, Sports, Arts, and Campus Life

The best international schools in South Korea also distinguish themselves through their extracurricular offerings, often very developed compared to ordinary Korean schools where afternoons are absorbed by hagwons. Administrations highlight these activities as an essential component of a “holistic” education, and Anglo-Saxon universities are paying increasing attention to them.

Korea International School also offers a wide range of clubs during and after the school day. Younger students explore different interests, middle schoolers discover their strengths, high school students themselves lead many initiatives, whether academic, creative, or centered on social justice. Aquatic activities, gymnastics, service clubs, or artistic festivals mark the school year.

This contrast is particularly marked in Korea where, in the national system, the majority of teenagers spend their late afternoons in study spaces or hagwons, with relatively little room for non-professionalizing sports or artistic commitments. For expatriate children, international schools therefore offer an environment closer to North American or European standards, where extracurricular activities are considered a learning ground as important as the classroom.

How to Choose Among the Best International Schools in South Korea

Faced with a fragmented offering and high costs, selecting a school cannot be limited to an informal ranking or reputation in certain circles. Several structuring criteria emerge from the available data.

Next, the importance of accreditation and affiliations: WASC, CIS, IB World School, Cambridge International, etc. These are often the only objective guarantees of seriousness in an environment where marketing claims can be misleading.

Families must also examine carefully:

– class size and student-to-teacher ratio,

– the rate and profile of foreign teachers, their experience and qualifications,

– the effective place given to languages other than English (Korean, French, German, Mandarin…),

– the quality of facilities (labs, libraries, sports installations, arts, boarding if applicable),

– the support policy for struggling students (EAL/ELL, special educational needs),

– and the richness of the extracurricular program.

Finally, one must not forget the very concrete dimension of logistics: commute time (even with school buses), schedules, calendar (often mid-August – June, different from the Korean March–February calendar), compatibility with professional obligations, etc.

A Strategic Choice in a Country Obsessed with Education

In a country where 24- to 35-year-olds display one of the highest tertiary education attainment rates in the OECD, and where the national CSAT exam still largely dictates academic destiny, international schools occupy an ambiguous role. They are both a gateway to universities worldwide and a refuge for foreign or Korean families who reject the extreme pressure of the local system.

One point that the data constantly reminds us of remains: these schools are expensive and are not a miracle solution. They can offer exceptional pathways but require a significant financial investment and in-depth reflection on the long-term study project. In this context, obtaining precise information on programs, accreditations, external exam results, diploma recognition, and the daily life of students is the best way to identify, for each family, the “best” international school in South Korea—the one that truly matches its needs, values, and ambitions.